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English lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 30 minutes

Transitions (SAT/ACT)

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.8.2.CCCSS W.8.1.CEngland: SAT Reading and Writing (Transitions)England: ACT EnglishEngland: GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q5

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Transitions (SAT/ACT).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Linking ideas across paragraphs (cohesion)

Leads to: Organisation: sentence placement and logical order; Transitions in academic texts (SAT, advanced)

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Linking ideas across paragraphs (cohesion)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the linking word or phrase that fits best. It rained all week. ___, the river burst its banks. (For example / Meanwhile / In contrast / As a result) → As a resultPrompt: How does the second sentence relate to the first: time, contrast, example or result?
  2. Choose the linking word or phrase that fits best. Some people love winter. ___, others count the days until summer. (Firstly / As a result / For example / On the other hand) → On the other handPrompt: How does the second sentence relate to the first: time, contrast, example or result?
  3. Choose the linking word or phrase that fits best. Penguins cannot fly. ___, they are excellent swimmers. (Firstly / For instance / However / Therefore) → HoweverPrompt: How does the second sentence relate to the first: time, contrast, example or result?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Transitions (SAT/ACT). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The team expected the survey to show support for the plan. ___, most respondents opposed it.
  • Step 1: A transition must show the real logical relationship between ideas.
  • Step 2: The second sentence contrasts with or goes against the first.
  • Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The team expected the survey to show support for the plan. Instead, most respondents opposed it."
  • Step 4: So the answer is: Instead
  • Answer: Instead
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The first printing presses were slow and costly. ___, books became cheaper as the technology improved. (For example / Similarly / In contrast / Over time) → Over timePrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?
  2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The first experiment produced no results. ___, the second experiment confirmed the hypothesis. (By contrast / Similarly / Thus / For example) → By contrastPrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Many desert plants store water in thick stems. ___, the saguaro cactus can hold hundreds of litres. (However / For example / In contrast / Therefore) → For examplePrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?
  2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Bees communicate by dancing. ___, some ants leave scent trails to share information. (Similarly / Therefore / For example / However) → SimilarlyPrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?

Watch out for

  • Writing everything at once without planning.
  • Editing only spelling and not whether the writing makes sense.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Linking ideas across paragraphs (cohesion).
  • Use concrete materials: a model text.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Organisation: sentence placement and logical order; Transitions in academic texts (SAT, advanced).
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Transitions (SAT/ACT)

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Chess requires memory and planning. ___, studies suggest it may improve pupils' concentration.

    • A. Nevertheless
    • B. In contrast
    • C. Previously
    • D. Accordingly

  2. Question 2

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Early maps of the region were often inaccurate. ___, they showed rivers that did not exist.

    • A. Consequently
    • B. In fact
    • C. However
    • D. Similarly

  3. Question 3

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Solar panels have become far cheaper since 2010. ___, more households are installing them.

    • A. Consequently
    • B. For instance
    • C. However
    • D. Nevertheless

  4. Question 4

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The team expected the survey to show support for the plan. ___, most respondents opposed it.

    • A. Moreover
    • B. For example
    • C. Similarly
    • D. Instead

  5. Question 5

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Many desert plants store water in thick stems. ___, the saguaro cactus can hold hundreds of litres.

    • A. For example
    • B. In contrast
    • C. However
    • D. Therefore

  6. Question 6

    Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The bridge was designed to carry light traffic. ___, it now handles thousands of lorries every day.

    • A. Nevertheless
    • B. Consequently
    • C. For example
    • D. Similarly

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Answer key: Transitions (SAT/ACT)

  1. 1. D. Accordingly

  2. 2. B. In fact

  3. 3. A. Consequently

  4. 4. D. Instead

  5. 5. A. For example

  6. 6. A. Nevertheless