19. Creative Writing

​19. Creative Writing
Present perfect in writing
Ants descriptive writing

Let's watch the video

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05rgr92

​Wood ants

Word Challenge

Can you think of some words which would describe the appearance of the wood ants?


What words would you use to describe the behaviour of the wood ants featured in the clip?

​Wood ants

Word Challenge

Can you think of some words which would describe the appearance of the wood ants?
fierce, powerful, busy, organised, tiny.

What words would you use to describe the behaviour of the wood ants featured in the clip?
marching. hunting. protecting

• building. attacking

​Wood ants

Let's read the description
Wood ants are extremely well organised insects. Working together as a super team, they are able to construct dome-shaped nests that reach over a metre in height. A single nest can contain up to half a million worker ants. Each worker will have a particular job to do. Inside the nest, some will feed the queen while others will clean her eggs. Outside the nest, some will be on the lookout for nest building materials while others will be hunting for food.

Discuss the meaning of each word highlighted in bold.

​Wood ants

Let's read the description

In this fascinating clip, we are shown how a colony of wood ants works together to defend its nest which is in danger of being destroyed by a cow! How is it possible for such a tiny insect to frighten away something so large? Watch the clip to find out.

Discuss the meaning of each word highlighted in bold.

​Wood ants

The first two sentences are in the simple past tense.

This means that the actions or events started in the past and finished in the past. When sentences are in the simple past tense the verb (bold) often ends in ‘ed’.

​Wood ants

The third and fourth sentences are in the present perfect form.
This means that the actions or events started sometime in the past but are either still happening now or are in some way connected to the present.
The words ‘has’ and ‘have’ (underlined) are used to help give this meaning to each sentence.

​Wood ants

We will be practising writing in the past and present perfect

On your CW doc can you use the verbs below and match them wth the sentences, before copying them into your doc?
built
constructed
scurried
squirted
discovered

1️⃣ The ants __________ their nest from pine needles.

2️⃣ The ants __________ around the forest floor looking for materials.

3️⃣ The ants __________ tiny fountains of acid at their enemies.

Challenge: Change to Present Perfect

We add has or have - this is our helper verb

Example:

The ants drag a caterpillar. - present tense

Becomes:

The ants have dragged a caterpillar.

Challenge: Change to Present Perfect

We add has or have - this is our helper verb

Example:

The ants drag a caterpillar. - present tense

Becomes:

The ants have dragged a caterpillar.

Can you Change this sentence from present tense to present perfect?

Sir David Attenborough is looking for the termite mound.



Sir David Attenborough ____ ______ for the termite mound

Now we will write 2 sentences about wood ants on your CW document

You must include:

✔ one past tense sentence
✔ one has / have sentence

Sentence frames:

1️⃣ Yesterday, the wood ants __________.

2️⃣ The ants have __________ to protect their nest.

Word bank:

attacked
sprayed
defended
built
worked together

​Wood ants TASK
Write 3 sentences about wood ants.

Use the word wall for help.

Make sure you include

✔ describing words
✔ past tense
✔ has / have sentence

Sentence starter ideas:

• Suddenly, the wood ants…

• The fierce ants…

• Deep in the forest…

​Wood ants TASK
Let's share some of our sentences!