Autumn Writing for a Purpose · Investigation
Record and share autumn discoveries
An observation to show a friend, a question to return to or a label beside a collection: these sheets give children a reason to record what interests them. Choose from open drawing spaces, space for pictures and words, or layouts with more room for writing.
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Take a look inside
Browse two sample recording sheets and an extract from the practitioner notes. These three watermarked previews show a small selection of the layouts and guidance included.
On smaller screens, scroll or swipe sideways to browse the three watermarked previews. Download the file for all 18 printable sheets and the practitioner notes.
What’s included in the pack?
Autumn Writing for a Purpose: Investigation. This nineteen-page file contains 18 printable sheets across six purposes, each offered in three layout choices, plus one page of practitioner guidance. The sheets support recording observations, saving questions and sharing discoveries through play and exploration.
A choice of space
Choose open space for drawing and marks, a combination of drawing and emergent writing, or more room for independent writing. Children can select any layout, switch between them or dictate words to an adult.
Labels with a real use
Collection-label sheets are included in each layout choice, with four cut-out labels per sheet. Place children’s labels beside the actual objects so someone else can find out about the collection and how the pieces belong together.
Choose the paper to suit the purpose. The layouts are options, not ability groups or a sequence to complete. Children can combine pictures, symbols, letters and words in a way that communicates what matters to them.
This download is the Investigation file from the Autumn Writing for a Purpose series. Other files in the series are available separately. The practitioner notes include a page finder to help you print the purpose and layout you need.
Making the recording useful
Keep a small choice of sheets beside an investigation tray, a small-world woodland or a clipboard. Begin with something a child wants to communicate.
Find a reason to record
Listen to what the child has noticed or wants to find out. Ask who might like to see the discovery, or whether they would like to keep their question for later. Choose a sheet together if it helps their purpose.
Follow the child’s meaning
Give children space to draw, make marks and add words in their own way. Offer a word, model a short message or scribe their exact words if invited. Ask before adding anything and leave their own marks visible.
Use what they have made
Read it back together, show it to the intended person or display a label beside the collection. Return to a question when the child has a new idea or more information. The recording can become part of what happens next.
Support access in different ways
A larger surface, an adapted tool, pointing, familiar signs or home-language words may help a child communicate. Adult scribing can sit alongside the child’s drawing and marks when they want that support.
Keep the open spaces open
Let children decide what belongs on their sheet. The same layout can hold a detailed drawing, a few marks or a longer piece of writing. There is no need to move to another version before an idea is worth sharing.
What should we print?
The file has nineteen pages: one practitioner page and 18 printable sheets. Use the page finder on page 1 to choose a purpose and layout, then print the pages you need on A4 at 100% / actual size. Keep recording sheets whole; cut collection labels around their own borders. There is no need to print the practitioner notes.
Do children need to work through A, B and C?
No. A offers drawing and mark-making space; B combines drawing with emergent writing; C offers more room for independent writing. The small footer codes help adults find versions. Children can choose any layout, switch between them or dictate to an adult. They are not levels to complete.
How much should an adult add?
Listen first to what the child wants to communicate. If invited, offer a word, model a short message or write their exact words. Ask before adding to the sheet, keep the child’s marks visible and read the message back together.
Can we change the prompts or writing space?
Yes. All text and line shapes are editable in Word. Adapt wording or the arrangement of lines to suit the purpose, while keeping plenty of clear space for children’s own work.
Download the Investigation writing pack
Choose a layout, follow an interest and help children share what they want someone else to know.
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You might also find these useful
Find more ways to explore autumn, share observations and bring discoveries into play. Each link below opens a public page where you can explore the companion resource before visiting its downloads.
Resource and preview images © Little Owls Resources.