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English lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes

Give reasons with because, also and so

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.2.1England: Y2 Writing (co-ordination and subordination)England: Y3 Writing

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Give reasons with because, also and so.

  • 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: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so; Time order words: first, next, then, finally

Leads to: Choose the best concluding sentence; Linking words for reasons and examples: because, for example, therefore

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 (Joining ideas with and, but, or and so; Time order words: first, next, then, finally). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the best joining word. I was tired, ___ I went to bed early. (or / but / and / so) → soPrompt: and adds, but shows a surprise or a difference, or gives a choice, so shows a result.
  2. Choose the time word that fits. I washed my hands. ___ that, I ate my lunch. (Before / Finally / First / After) → AfterPrompt: Is this step at the start, in the middle or at the end?
  3. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I wanted cake. There was none left. (I wanted cake, but there was none left. / I wanted cake or there was none left. / I wanted cake, so there was none left.) → I wanted cake, but there was none left.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Give reasons with because, also and so. 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: Choose the linking word that fits. Our playground needs more benches ___ there is nowhere to sit.
  • Step 1: Opinion writing uses linking words to give and add reasons.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Our playground needs more benches because there is nowhere to sit."
  • Step 3: So the answer is: because
  • Answer: because
  • 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. Choose the linking word that fits. Recycling saves resources, ___ everyone should do it. (because / but / so / or) → soPrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?
  2. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Summer comes after spring. / Summer is my favourite season because the days are long and sunny. / What is your favourite season? / It is summer.) → Summer is my favourite season because the days are long and sunny.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.

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. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Do robots sleep? / Robots have wires. / Robots are machines. / Robots are amazing because they can help people do hard jobs.) → Robots are amazing because they can help people do hard jobs.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.
  2. Choose the linking word that fits. Reading is great because you learn new things. It ___ helps you relax. (so / also / because / but) → alsoPrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?

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: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so.
  • 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: Choose the best concluding sentence; Linking words for reasons and examples: because, for example, therefore.
  • 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-2.

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

eurekami

Give reasons with because, also and so

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the linking word that fits. Cats are easy to look after. They ___ keep themselves clean.

    • A. or
    • B. also
    • C. but
    • D. because

  2. Question 2

    Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason?

    • A. We have a class.
    • B. Feed the fish.
    • C. Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.
    • D. Fish live in water.

  3. Question 3

    Choose the linking word that fits. Reading is great because you learn new things. It ___ helps you relax.

    • A. because
    • B. but
    • C. also
    • D. so

  4. Question 4

    Choose the linking word that fits. We should plant more trees ___ they give us clean air.

    • A. because
    • B. or
    • C. so
    • D. but

  5. Question 5

    Choose the linking word that fits. Our playground needs more benches ___ there is nowhere to sit.

    • A. because
    • B. but
    • C. or
    • D. then

  6. Question 6

    Choose the linking word that fits. Swimming keeps you fit. ___, it is lots of fun.

    • A. Or
    • B. Because
    • C. Also
    • D. But

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Answer key: Give reasons with because, also and so

  1. 1. B. also

  2. 2. C. Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.

  3. 3. C. also

  4. 4. A. because

  5. 5. A. because

  6. 6. C. Also