Free English / Writing / Early years / A list: a picnic for teddy

Writing · Early years · Nursery and Reception · Unit 4 of 4 · List

A list: a picnic for teddy

Children write a shopping list for a teddy bears' picnic, one item per line, using the sounds they know.

5sessions

15 to 20minutes each

Receptionages 4 to 6

pre-CEFRCEFR

By the end

Children write a list of three to five items, each on its own line, that someone else can read and use.

How the unit runs

5 sessions, 8 parts

Every writing unit follows the same eight parts: read, talk, learn the sentence skill, plan, write together, write alone, check, publish. This unit fits them into 5 sessions of about 15 to 20 minutes.

Session	Parts	What happens
Session 1	Part 1: Read and enjoy + Part 2: Talk it	Read and enjoy "Teddy's picnic list". Find 3 features to notice. Oral rehearsal games: What will teddy need?, Memory basket, Tick it off.
Session 2	Part 3: Sentence skill	Teach the sentence skill: Hear the sounds, write the sounds.
Session 3	Part 4: Plan + Part 5: Shared write	Plan on the frame: teddy's picnic list. The teacher models the writing, thinking aloud.
Session 4	Part 6: Independent write	Children write independently, with support and stretch.
Session 5	Part 7: Check + Part 8: Publish	Check against the success criteria and the editing checklist. Publish for a real reader on the printable template.

Curriculum link. EYFS Writing ELG: write simple phrases that can be read by others and spell words by identifying sounds. Year 2 composition: writing for different purposes. Sources: see the end of this page.

Part 1 of 8

Read and enjoy a model text

Read it aloud first, or press the button. Talk about what the writer has done before anyone writes. This text was written for Litlings and is free to copy for your class.

Teddy's picnic list · List

Teddy is going on a picnic. He needs a list. Teddy's list. One, bread. Two, jam. Three, apples. Four, cake. Five, juice. Now Teddy will not forget!

What to notice

A titleA list says what it is for: Teddy's list.
One item on each lineShort words, one per line, and no full sentences are needed.
NumbersNumbers show the order and help us count.

Part 2 of 8

Talk it: oral rehearsal

Talk comes before writing. Children say the sentences, then the paragraph, before the pencil moves.

What will teddy need?

Sit in a circle with a teddy. Each child says one thing for the picnic. The adult repeats the whole list so far; children join in.

Memory basket

Put five picnic items in a basket, show, cover and uncover. Which one is missing? Say it in a sentence: The jam is missing.

Tick it off

Read a list aloud. Children find the real item for each and tick it. Lists are for doing.

Part 3 of 8

Sentence skill: Hear the sounds, write the sounds

Say a word slowly, count the sounds, and write a letter or letters for each sound.

Teach it in four steps

Choose a word from the list: jam.
Say it slowly and press the buttons: j-a-m.
Write a letter for each sound.
Move down to a new line for the next word.

Examples

Start	Becomes or shows
jam	j - a - m
cake	c - ai - k (cake is a tricky one: celebrate any plausible attempt)
juice	j - oo - ss

Practise: Hear the sounds, write the sounds

Part 4 of 8

Plan: Teddy's picnic list

Draw teddy's picnic. Write a list of things he needs. Children say each part aloud to a partner first, then jot notes. Type here, or print the frame to use on paper. It prints on one A4 page.

Teddy's picnicDraw teddy and the food.

Draw this part on paper, or print the frame and draw in the box.

My list1 2 3 4 5. Write one thing on each line.

Download PDF

Everything you type stays in this browser, on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Part 5 of 8

Shared write: the teacher models

A script for the teacher. Think aloud, make the choices visible, and make one deliberate slip to fix.

Dohold up a teddy and a basket. Say: Teddy is going on a picnic. What will he need?
Dotake ideas from the class. Say: I will write a list so that we do not forget.
Dowrite the title, then one item per line, pressing sound buttons for each.
Sayone word on each line. A list is not a story, it is for remembering.
Dotick the items off against the real picnic basket.
Saynow you. Think of five things and write them on your list. Say each word first.

Part 6 of 8

Independent write

The task

Write a list of things teddy needs for his picnic. Write at least three things and put each one on its own line.

Sentence starters

Teddy's list
bread
jam
apples

Word bank

bread
jam
apple
cake
juice
plate
cup
blanket

Support

Give a numbered list sheet with a picture card for each item to copy beside the number.

Stretch

Add a describing word (red apples) or write a second list for another picnic.

English as an additional or foreign language. Use real objects. Children name each one in their home language, then in English, before writing.

Part 7 of 8

Check: success criteria and editing

Children read their writing aloud, tick what they have done and fix what they have not. Ticks are saved on this device only.

Success criteria

I can say each word and listen for the sounds.I can write one thing on each line.I can read my list to a friend.I can use my list to check the basket.

Editing checklist

Is there one thing on each line?Can I read every word to a friend?Did I use the sounds I know?Does my list say what the picnic needs?

Printable Early years editing checklist

Part 8 of 8

Publish for a real reader

Put the real picnic basket in the role-play area. Children use their lists to pack it and tick each item.

Printable template: List page

One A4 page, blank for handwriting. Print from the browser or download the PDF.

Download PDF

Keep going

In this course

Elsewhere on the site

Sources

Curriculum statements are paraphrased from the documents above. Model texts and activities are original to Litlings.