Literacy Planning — Leaf Man and The Leaf Thief | Reception

A set of twelve carefully structured literacy sessions built around two complementary autumn texts, Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming. Designed for Reception teachers, this planning supports high-quality, curriculum-linked literacy teaching that connects phonics, reading comprehension, composition and vocabulary development within a meaningful and engaging text-based context.

Rather than simply providing activities to fill the week, this planning helps you teach with clarity and purpose — knowing what children are learning, why it matters and how each session builds on the last.

What’s Included?

• 12 complete literacy session plans across two linked texts
• Focused teaching input for each session
• Curriculum-linked objectives across phonics, reading comprehension, composition and vocabulary
• Carefully sequenced learning progression across the unit
• Guidance to support adult-led teaching opportunities

Why Teachers Love It

• Saves significant planning time across a full literacy unit
• Provides clear structure without being rigid or prescriptive
• Uses two complementary texts to deepen children’s engagement and vocabulary
• Supports curriculum coverage with confidence
• Easy to adapt to the needs of your children and setting

How Can I Use This Resource?

• Deliver as a standalone three-week literacy unit
• Use alongside the Autumn Provision Planning Bank for a fully connected theme
• Adapt sessions to suit your children’s current stage and needs
• Use the focus teaching sequences to support assessment and next steps
• Revisit individual sessions to consolidate specific skills

💡 This resource is also available inside the Is it Time to Play? Membership, giving members access to hundreds of planning tools, resources and professional development materials for no additional cost.