The Friendly Dragon Imaginative Letter Writing Assessment: Year 1 is a playful and structured writing task that invites young learners to recount a magical encounter with a friendly dragon. Using a visual prompt, planning sheet and letter-style writing template, students will practise crafting a personal, imaginative letter while building early writing confidence and core literacy skills.

This resource supports the development of narrative elements within a familiar letter format. With a focus on descriptive language, simple sequencing, punctuation and spelling, students are encouraged to explore their creativity while writing from a first-person perspective. The task also strengthens students’ ability to reflect on events and express feelings, actions and reactions through writing.

The included assessment rubric is aligned with Year 1 Australian Curriculum outcomes and provides a clear and consistent framework for evaluating writing. Editable versions of each component allow for easy classroom differentiation and flexible instruction.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Plan, draft and edit an imaginative letter using a visual prompt
• ✅ Apply simple narrative structure with clear beginning, middle and end
• ✅ Use descriptive words to express events, reactions and emotions
• ✅ Demonstrate correct punctuation and spelling for Year 1 level
• ✅ Develop confidence in using personal voice and first-person language

What’s Included:

• Visual writing prompt strip (colour and black-and-white)
• Planning template to help structure ideas
• Letter-style writing template
• Assessment rubric aligned to Year 1 Australian Curriculum outcomes
• Editable versions of all documents for flexible classroom use
• Versions available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts

Materials Needed:

• Printed templates
• Pencils or coloured markers
• Optional: word wall or sentence starter strips for letter writing

How to Use:

• Introduce the image prompt and lead a class discussion about what might happen if students met a friendly dragon
• Use the planning sheet to guide students in identifying characters, setting, and sequence of events
• Students write their letter to a friend, describing their dragon adventure using feelings and vivid details
• Review and revise for punctuation, spelling and sentence clarity with teacher or peer support
• Assess student writing using the included rubric

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of a fantasy or dragon-themed writing unit
• 💡 Display completed letters with dragon illustrations in a classroom showcase
• 💡 Add to student portfolios for use in parent interviews or reporting

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Model a shared letter to explore language and letter structure together
• 💛 Offer a simple word bank with feelings, actions and adjectives
• 💛 Allow students to create drawings of their friendly dragon to accompany the letter

The Friendly Dragon Imaginative Letter Writing Assessment: Year 1 is a gentle and joyful way to support young writers in developing confidence, creativity and foundational narrative writing skills.