Writing Unit 2: Autobiography by De and Danielle

About this teaching resource

The Five Pillars of Effective Writing Instruction

Unit 2: Autobiography — Planning and Critical Features Pack

Developed by Danielle Monique and De Ludlum, Fairview Primary School

There is something uniquely powerful about asking students to write their own story. When the subject is themselves — their memories, their experiences, their voice — even the most reluctant writer has something genuine to say. This resource shows teachers exactly how to make that happen.

The Autobiography Planning and Critical Features Pack contains the complete unit overview for Danielle and De's five-week autobiographical writing unit — one of the most personally meaningful and technically rich units in their Year 6 programme. Alongside the detailed day-by-day planning grid sits the critical features document that students receive from the outset, mapping the full journey ahead with clear learning intentions, success criteria, and staged submission points.

Writing autobiography at Year 6 level demands far more than recounting memories. Students are guided through the craft of shaping experience into narrative — selecting what matters, finding their voice, and structuring their story with genuine purpose and audience in mind.

These documents reveal what it looks like when high expectations, purposeful planning, and deep respect for student voice come together in a single unit of work.

For any teacher ready to invite their students into their most honest and personal writing yet, this is the place to start.

Listen to Podcast 1: Purposeful Planning here

Read the Blog: Purposeful Planning here