Litbridge Senior — Course at a Glance (Years 7–10)

An 8-week, curriculum-aligned creative narrative unit with emphasis on voice, structure control, cohesion, and style.

Y7–10 Band Y7–8 focus Y9–10 extension
Dimension Y7–8 (baseline) Y9–10 (step-up)
Structure Clear arc; consistent POV; straightforward chronology Complex structure (frame, dual timeline, shift in POV) used deliberately
Voice & Style Purposeful voice; varied sentences; imagery in key moments Sustained voice; motif/symbolism; precise diction; rhythmic control
Cohesion Topic sentences; connective logic between paragraphs Subtle through-line (motif/themes); seamless scene transitions
Editing Accuracy with syntax, punctuation, spelling Conscious sentence shaping (emphasis, cadence) + flawless conventions
Reflection Explain one revision choice with evidence from draft Commentary justifies multiple choices (structure, style, motif)

Who & When

  • Year band: Years 7–10 (expectations step up from Y7–8 to Y9–10)
  • Duration: 8 weeks / 8 × 60-min lessons
  • Timetabling: within English alongside reading & language study
Teacher-facing overview; online activities and printables may support lessons but aren’t required.

Big Ideas (Narrative)

  • Purposeful voice shaped for audience and effect.
  • Deliberate structure (arc, frame, split POV) and cohesion across paragraphs.
  • Stylistic control: sentence variety, imagery, and precise diction.
  • Authentic drafting cycle: plan → draft → revise → edit → publish with reflection.

Outcomes (Curriculum Language)

Students will:

  • plan, draft and publish a crafted narrative for a clear audience and purpose
  • control text structure and cohesion (topic sentences, connective logic, motif/through-line)
  • select and integrate language features for effect (imagery, symbolism, precise vocabulary, dialogue)
  • revise for meaning and structure; edit for syntax, punctuation and spelling accuracy
  • reflect on choices and justify revisions using metalanguage
Maps to AC: English — Audience & Purpose; Text Structure; Language Features; Creating Texts; Editing (Years 7–10).

Weekly Flow (8-Week Version)

  • W1: Voice, audience, purpose; analyse a model narrative
  • W2: Characterisation through action & inner thought; goals vs. stakes
  • W3: Setting as function (tone, symbol); world-building details
  • W4: Structure options (classic arc, framed, split POV); plan sequence
  • W5: Scene engines — goal, conflict, consequence; cohesion across scenes
  • W6: Draft 1 — opening & turning point; clinic on dialogue and pacing
  • W7: Revision for structure & style; targeted editing (syntax, punctuation)
  • W8: Polish & publish; reflective commentary on choices
6-Week Compact: Merge W2+3; compress W5 into W6 drafting block; combine revision & editing; retain publish & reflection.

Lesson Pattern (each 60 min)

  • Warm-up (5) — quick write / style drill
  • Teach & Model (15) — worked example or mentor text
  • Guided Practice (20) — planning/drafting task with prompts
  • Independent (15) — drafting / revision / editing
  • Reflect (5) — exit ticket or peer micro-feedback

Assessment & Evidence

  • Diagnostic (W1): 250–350-word quick write to gauge voice & control
  • Formative (W6): Draft-1 checkpoint (Ideas/Control, Structure, Cohesion)
  • Summative (W8): Final narrative with rubric — Ideas/Control, Structure, Cohesion, Sentence Structure, Vocabulary/Style, Spelling, Punctuation
  • Reflection: short commentary explaining two revision choices with evidence from the draft
Scale expectations for Y9–10: increased complexity, control, sophistication, and commentary depth.

Differentiation (built-in)

  • Scaffolds: planning frames, paragraph stems, revision checklists
  • Extensions: dual timelines, motif development, constraint writing (e.g., sentence length patterns)
  • Access: print-friendly pages; oral rehearsal / conferencing options

Materials

  • Teacher slides (mini-lessons, mentor text excerpts, model annotations)
  • Student booklet (planning sheets, drafting pages, revision & editing grids)
  • Model texts (short, annotated narratives at two bands: Y7–8 and Y9–10)
  • Rubrics & checklists (diagnostic prompt, draft checkpoint, summative rubric, reflection prompts)