Read to Write empowers teachers to provide high-quality teaching of writing through children’s high-quality literature (Vehicle Texts). The units of work centre on engaging, vocabulary-rich texts, with a wealth of writing opportunities. Several of these carefully selected Vehicle Texts have strong thematic links to the Science, History and Geography curriculum. 

Read to Write is evidence-based teaching of writing. These units have been carefully mapped out so the entire statutory curriculum for writing is covered for each year group. They also enable schools to draw upon the wider curriculum, which supports schools to build rich curriculums.

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Foundations

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Losing Story

    Purpose: To tell and write a losing story

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Animal Information

    Purpose: To inform

    EYFS Theme:

    Friendship & Animals

    Vehicle Text:

    The Something by Rebecca Cobb

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Finding Story

    Purpose: To tell and write a finding story

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Poster to find a lost star

    Purpose: To inform and describe

    EYFS Theme:

    Stars & Space

    Vehicle Text:

    Star in the Jar by Sam Hay

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Superhero Story

    Purpose: To tell and write a superhero story

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: A letter wanting to be a sidekick

    Purpose: To inform

    EYFS Theme:

    Superhero

    Vehicle Text:

    Juniper Jupiter by Lizzy Stewart

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Traditional Tale

    Purpose: To write and tell a traditional tale

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: How to trap an animal

    Purpose: To instruct

    EYFS Theme:

    Traditional Tales

    Vehicle Text:

    Little Red by Bethan Woolvin

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Transformational Story

    Purpose: To tell and write a transformational story

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: How to grow a garden / plant vegetables

    Purpose: To instruct

    EYFS Theme:

    Growing

    Vehicle Text:

    The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Friendship Story

    Purpose: To tell and write a friendship story

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Poems: Sea creature poems

    Purpose: To describe

    EYFS Theme:

    Seaside

    Vehicle Text:

    The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

Year 1

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Discovery Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Messages

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    History: Living Memory

    Vehicle Text:

    Old Bear by Jane Hissey

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Traditional Tale

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: How to catch a witch

    Purpose: To instruct

    Vehicle Text:

    Rapunzel by Bethan Woolvin

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Detective Story

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Letters

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - Locality

    Vehicle Text:

    Hermelin the Detective Mouse by Mini Grey

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Portal Story

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Wild Things

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Return Story

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Postcards

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Animals inc. Humans

    Vehicle Text:

    The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd Stanton

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Hunting Story

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: Recipes

    Purpose: To instruct

    Vehicle Text:

    The Last Wolf by Mini Grey

Year 2

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Circular Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Letter

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - Rivers and Seas

    Vehicle Text:

    A River by Marc Martin

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Setting Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Diary

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Finding Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: How to build a habitat

    Purpose: To instruct

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Living Things, Habitats & Plants

    Vehicle Text:

    The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Return Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Jungle Animals

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Grandad’s Island by Benji Davies

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Mistake Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: How to be a Regal Leader

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    History - Beyond Living Memory Great Fire of London

    Vehicle Text:

    The King who Banned the Dark by Emily Haworth-Booth

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Invention Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Explanation: How a machine works

    Purpose: To explain

    Vehicle Text:

    Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Year 3

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Approach Threat Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Explanation: How to capture the Iron Man

    Purpose: To explain

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Forces & Magnets

    Vehicle Text:

    The Iron Man by Ted Hughes (Chris Mould Edition)

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Fable Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Fox Report

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Fox by Margaret Wild

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Setting Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: River Information Leaflet

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - Mountains & Rivers

    Vehicle Text:

    The Rhythm of the Rain by Graham Baker-Smith

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Return Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Letters

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Jemmy Button by Alix Barzelay

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Egyptian Mystery

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Diary

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    History - Egyptians

    Vehicle Text:

    Egyptology by Dugald Steer

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Lost Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Newspaper Report

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Into the Forest by Anthony Browne

Year 4

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Setting Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Newspaper Report

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Living things / Habitats / Animals

    Vehicle Text:

    The Whale by Ethan Murrow

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Outsider Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Polar Bears

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Myth Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Defeating a Viking Monster

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    History - Vikings

    Vehicle Text:

    Arthur & the Golden Rope by Joe Todd Stanton

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Twisted Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Persuasion: Letter

    Purpose: To persuade

    Vehicle Text:

    The Lost Happy Endings by Carol Ann Duffy

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Refugee Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Diary

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - Europe

    Vehicle Text:

    The Journey by Francesca Sanna

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Invention Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Jacques Cousteau Biography

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Manfish by Jennifer Berne

Year 5

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Exploration Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Formal Report

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Space

    Vehicle Text:

    Where Once We Stood by Christopher Riley

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Setting Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Letter

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    FArTHER by Graham Baker Smith

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Cliff hanger Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Inform: Formal Event report

    Purpose: To inform

    Curriculum Topic:

    History - Victorians

    Vehicle Texts:

    The Hound of the Baskervilles - Graphic Novel by Daniel Ferran & Oxford Children's Classics: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Character Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Newspaper Report

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    The Promise by Nicola Davies

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Survival Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Explanation: Survival Guide

    Purpose: To explain

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - North & South America / World

    Vehicle Text:

    The Lost Book of Adventure by Teddy Keen

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Dilemma Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Discussion: Balanced Argument

    Purpose: To discuss

    Vehicle Text:

    King Kong by Anthony Browne

Year 6

Core Read to Write

Unit A

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Recount: Diary

    Purpose: To recount

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Bravery Speech Award

    Purpose: To recount

    Curriculum Topic:

    History - War

    Vehicle Text(s):

    Rose Blanche by Christophe Gallaz and Roberto Innocenti and Anne Frank by Josephine Poole

Unit B

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Flashback Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Newspaper Report

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis

Unit C

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Discovery Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Explanation: Adaptation

    Purpose: To explain

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science - Evolution and Inheritance

    Vehicle Text:

    On the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva

Unit D

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Recount: First Person Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Discussion: Balanced Argument

    Purpose: To discuss

    Writing Outcome 3:

    Information Text: Wolves

    Purpose: To inform

    Writing Outcome 4:

    Narrative: Suspense Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Vehicle Text(s):

    The Ways of the Wold by Smriti Prasadam and The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

    *Revision unit

Unit E

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Endurance Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Magazine Article

    Purpose: To recount & inform (hybrid)

    Curriculum Topic:

    Geography - Coasts

    Vehicle Text:

    Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill

Unit F

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Dual Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Persuasion: Letter

    Purpose: To persuade

    Vehicle Text:

    Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman

Additional Units: Science Collection

EYFS

  • Writing Outcome:

    Narrative Story Sentences

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    The River by Tom Percival

Year 1

  • Writing Outcome:

    Instructions

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    The Adventures of Egg Box Dragon by Richard Adams

Year 2

  • Writing Outcome:

    Diary Entry

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    Bloom by Anne Booth

Year 3

  • Writing Outcome:

    Promise Narrative

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    Wisp by Zana Frallion

Year 4

  • Writing Outcome:

    Persuasive Letter

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

Year 5

  • Writing Outcome:

    Journey Narrative

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    Wild is the Wind by Graham Baker-Smith

Year 6

  • Writing Outcome:

    Newspaper Report

    Curriculum Topic:

    Science

    Vehicle Text:

    Rise Up by Amanda Li

Additional Units: Environment Collection

EYFS

  • Writing Outcome:

    Narrative Sentences

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Saving Mr Hoot by Helen Stephens

Year 1

  • Writing Outcome:

    Environment Narrative

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnarvas

Year 2

  • Writing Outcome:

    Rebuild Environment Narrative

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Tidy by Emily Gravett

Year 3

  • Writing Outcome:

    Description Letter

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Dear Earth by Isabel Otter and Clara Anganuzzi

Year 4

  • Writing Outcome:

    Transformation Narrative

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    The Secret Sky Garden by Linda Sarah

Year 5

  • Writing Outcome:

    Restoring the Environment Narrative

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Greta and the Giants by Zoe Tucker and Zoe Persico

Year 6

  • Writing Outcome:

    Environmental Change Narrative

    Theme:

    Environment

    Vehicle Text:

    Varmints by Helen Ward and Marc Craste

Further Additional Units

Year 1

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: A Friendship Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Messages

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Paper Planes by Jim Helmore

Year 1

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Return Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: Party Invitation

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    There’s a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart

Year 2

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Twisted Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Persuasion: Letters

    Purpose: To persuade

    Vehicle Text:

    Jack and the Baked Beanstalk by Colin Stimpson

Year 3

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Setting Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Information: Travel Report

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Return by Aaron Becker

Year 3

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Character Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: How to be a mischievous child

    Purpose: To instruct

    Vehicle Text:

    Seen and Not Heard by Katie May

Year 3

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Captive Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Diary

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Starbird by Sharon King-Chai

Year 4

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: An Adversity Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Biography

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Stories for Boys who Dare to be Different & Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

Year 5

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Cliff hanger Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Instructions: Instruction Manual

    Purpose: To instruct

    Vehicle Text:

    The Errand by Leo LaFleur

Year 5

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Inform: Biography

    Purpose: To inform

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Recount: Diary

    Purpose: To recount

    Vehicle Text:

    Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Year 6

  • Writing Outcome 1:

    Narrative: Freedom Narrative

    Purpose: To narrate

    Writing Outcome 2:

    Inform: Letter about an issue to MP

    Purpose: To inform

    Vehicle Text:

    Dreams of Freedom by Amnesty International

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! We have a suggested planning cycle document that addresses this explicitly. We can also help you through Consultancy Support to map out the units to meet the needs of your specific school context.

  • Our ‘core’ Read to Write units are designed to cover a half term. Our Science and Environment units are 3 weeks so can be doubled up to cover a half term if needed.

  • Our Read to Write units are full of incidental writes which build up to a larger writing outcome. Many of these incidental writes are poems in various forms. Email mari@literacycounts.co.uk for an overview of the poetry covered in each unit.

  • Literacy Counts do not supply the vehicle texts to accompany the Read to Write units. They can be purchased through Madeline Lindley or any bookseller.

Pricing

Pricing

Read to Write core units:
Whole school bundle: £2350 (saving of £170)
Year Group bundles: £350
Individual units: £60

Read to Write Additional units:

Science Collection:
Individual units: £40

Environment Collection:
Individual units: £40

Further Additional Units:
Individual units: £60