This KS2 story writing scheme, based on Marcus Sedgwick's 'Floodland', will encourage your Year 6 children to explore how authors can use backstories to reveal more about a character. Children will first analyse a given example of a backstory, looking at the language that has been chosen, and what extra information is revealed to the reader. They will then use what they have discovered to generate ideas for, plan and write their own backstory for one of the characters in the book.

This Floodland KS2 scheme of work includes four lessons, each of which have a detailed plan, an informative slideshow, and differentiated worksheets and activity ideas.

Your class will need to have read the book before you teach these lessons.

You may also like our Extreme Earth Geography scheme of work exploring natural phenomena, including earthquakes, floods, drought and tsunamis. 

Analysing Backstories

In this first KS2 story writing lesson based on 'Floodland' by Marcus Sedgwick, children will discuss the purpose and effect of using backstories within a narrative.

As a class, they will use the main character of Zoe as an example. In their independent activities, children analyse the backstory of another character, and think about the effect this new information has on their thoughts and opinions of them.

This lesson pack includes a detailed plan, a set of PDF slides for the teaching input, differentiated activity ideas and printable resources to support your class in their independent work.

View Lesson 1

Developing Backstories

In this Year 6 English lesson, children begin by discussing what they know, or can infer, about a character based on extracts from 'Floodland' by Marcus Sedgwick.

They will then start to think about what they would like to know about this character's life before they came to Eels Island. In their independent activities, children generate questions and discuss answers to develop ideas for their character's backstory.

Everything you need for this lesson is included in this pack - a detailed plan, a set of PDF slides for the teaching input, differentiated activity ideas and printable resources to support your class in their independent work.

View Lesson 2

Planning Backstories

Before planning their backstory for their chosen character from 'Floodland', children will explore the features of a story, looking at and discussing the five main sections: opening, build-up, dilemma, resolution and ending. They then apply what they have learnt to create their own plans.

This lesson pack contains a comprehensive lesson plan, a set of PDF slides for delivering the main teaching input, a range of differentiated activity suggestions, and printable resources to support your class during independent work.

View Lesson 3

Writing Backstories

In this Floodland KS2 English lesson, children will first discuss how to keep their audience engaged and develop the reader's understanding of the character through careful choice of vocabulary, use of different cohesive devices, and emotive language. They are then challenged to apply what they have learnt when writing their chosen character's backstory.

This lesson pack offers a thorough planning guide, PDF slides to support your teaching input, a variety of differentiated activity ideas, and printable materials to help your class during independent tasks.

View Lesson 4