Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Save Our Pond!: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Save Our Pond! is a free printable English worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children write the village news story that stops the pond being filled in. They write a short headline, a quotation from a newt, a reason and a call to action. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children play the village reporter. The pond is in danger and their story must persuade readers to save it. The sheet has numbered questions with space to answer and lines for writing. Children write a punchy headline of six words or fewer, add a quote from a newt inside speech marks, give one fact about why ponds matter, and finish by telling readers what to do and by when.
- Headline: write a punchy one in six words or fewer.
- Newt quote: what would a newt say? Use speech marks.
- Reason: give one fact about why ponds matter.
- Call to action: tell readers what to do and by when.
Build a front page story step by step
Plan the order
Before writing, decide what comes first. A news story often starts with the headline, then the main news, then a quote, then a reason, and ends with what readers should do.
Choose a strong verb
Swap weak verbs for ones with more force. A newt can demand, warn or plead instead of just saying. Ask which verb fits the mood of the story.
Set out the quote
Open the speech marks, write the exact words, add the punctuation, then close the speech marks. Say who spoke, for example the newt said or the newt warned.
End with a clear request
Finish by telling readers what to do and by when. A good request is short, specific and easy to follow, so no reader is left guessing.
How a news story persuades
A news story has a job to do. It must grab attention, tell readers what is happening and make them care. The headline comes first because it is the part people see before anything else. That is why headlines are kept short and strong. A few well chosen words can make someone want to read on.
Persuasive writing goes one step further. It does not only report. It aims to change what the reader thinks or does. Writers use quotations to bring in voices, reasons to back up their case and a call to action to point readers towards a next step. Year 4 children are ready to try all three together.
Skills and curriculum link
- Persuasive writing
- Using quotations
- Writing headlines
- Speech marks
- Strong verbs
- Call to action
Ideas to help with the writing
- Keep headlines shortSay the main message in as few words as you can. Read it aloud and count the words. Cut any word that is not needed.
- Use speech marksPut them around the exact words a speaker says. Start the spoken words with a capital letter and put the punctuation inside the closing marks.
- Choose a reason you are sure ofA reason works best when it is true and you can explain it. Check any fact in a book or with an adult before you write it down.
- Give a deadlineA call to action is stronger when it says when. Think of a day or a time, and make the request one that readers could actually do.
Key words
- HeadlineThe short, bold title at the top of a news story. It tells readers what the story is about.
- QuotationThe exact words someone said, written inside speech marks.
- Speech marksMarks that go around spoken words. They are also called inverted commas.
- PersuadeTo try to make someone agree with you or do something.
- Call to actionA sentence that tells readers what to do next.
- Strong verbAn action word that is exact and powerful, such as plead or demand, instead of a plain one like say.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the numbered prompts together first. Ask your child what the story is about and who might read it.
- Let your child write the story on the lines. Encourage them to say each sentence aloud before they write it.
- Check that the story has speech marks, a strong verb and a clear request. Then look at the notes and answers on page 2.
- Come back another day and improve the headline or the quote. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Give a sentence starter such as: Local newts are furious because... Or try: Villagers must act now to... Let your child finish it orally first. Then write the headline last, once they know what the story says.
To stretch confident children
Add a second quote from a villager and use a rhetorical question in the story, such as asking readers whether they really want the pond to disappear. Then reread the whole story and swap one plain verb for a stronger one.
Make it a game
Read your front page aloud like a town crier. Use a loud, clear voice and ring a pretend bell. Then hold a vote on the best headline. Each listener gets one vote and must say why they chose it.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forThe quote has no speech marks, so it reads like ordinary writing.
Try thisPoint to the newt's exact words and ask, "Which part is spoken?" Draw speech marks around just those words.
Watch forThe headline is too long and reads like a full sentence.
Try thisCount the words on your fingers. Cross out the least important ones until six or fewer are left, then read it aloud again.
Watch forThe call to action says only "Save the pond" and gives no deadline.
Try thisAsk, "What exactly should readers do, and by when?" Add one clear action and a day or time.
Talk about it
- Why do you think the village wants to fill in the pond? What might the other side say?
- What makes a headline catch your eye when you walk past a newspaper?
- Which verb did you choose for the newt, and why does it fit?
- If a newt could really speak, what would it want people to know?
- Who is the best person to read this story, and what do you want them to do?
- What would you change to make your call to action even clearer?
Take it off the page
Headline hunt
Look at old newspapers or magazines with an adult. Find three headlines and count the words in each. Which is the shortest? Which makes you want to read on?
Pond poster
Draw a poster to save the pond. Add a slogan of five words or fewer and one clear request at the bottom. Colour it, or leave it in pencil.
Interview the newt
Work in pairs. One person is the reporter and asks questions. The other answers as the newt. Write the best answer down inside speech marks.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Ask them to read the story aloud when they finish. Praise the choices they made, such as a good verb or a clear request, not only whether it is correct.
Teachers
Use it as a starter for a persuasive writing unit, an early finisher task, a supply resource or homework. It links to writing for a purpose and audience and to punctuating direct speech. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair this with a walk to look at your local green spaces, or with a few real newspaper front pages. Children can compare their story with real headlines and quotes. Print again for brothers and sisters, or for a later revisit.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children learn to write clear sentences with capital letters and full stops. They also meet speech in stories and begin to use speech marks. Reading a few real news reports first helps them see how headlines and quotes are laid out.
After it, children can write longer persuasive pieces such as letters, speeches and campaign leaflets. They can also plan and write news reports on other topics. In later years they use the same skills for different audiences, choosing more precise words and building tighter arguments.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Save Our Pond! for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Children who are a little younger or older can also use it with support or extra challenge from the notes on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise writing a persuasive newspaper report in English. They write a headline, include a quotation in speech marks and finish with a call to action that tells readers what to do and by when.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, so one download can be used more than once.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Give a sentence starter such as: Local newts are furious because... Let them say the idea aloud first, then write it down. Writing the headline last also helps, because the story is already clear.
- Does it have answers?
Yes. Page 2 is for the grown-up and includes the answers, as well as notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 helps with support and stretch.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Printing in black and white works well, so colour is not needed.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.