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English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 30 minutes

Choose the best concluding sentence

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.3.1.DCCSS W.3.2.DEngland: Y3/4 Writing (paragraphs)England: Y3 Writing (non-narrative)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Choose the best concluding sentence.

  • 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: Expanding sentences with detail; Give reasons with because, also and so

Leads to: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?; Choose the strongest conclusion

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 (Expanding sentences with detail; Give reasons with because, also and so). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Snow fell. Which sentence adds the most useful detail? (Snow fell fell. / Fell snow. / Snow it was fall. / Soft white snow fell silently over the sleeping town.) → Soft white snow fell silently over the sleeping town.Prompt: Good detail tells us more: what kind, where, when or why.
  2. Choose the linking word that fits. Swimming keeps you fit. ___, it is lots of fun. (Or / But / Also / Because) → AlsoPrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?
  3. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Robots are machines. / Do robots sleep? / Robots are amazing because they can help people do hard jobs. / Robots have wires.) → Robots are amazing because they can help people do hard jobs.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Choose the best concluding sentence. 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: Making a bird feeder is easy. First, spread seed butter on a pine cone. Next, roll it in birdseed. Then tie a string to the top. Which sentence would make the best ending?
  • Step 1: A good concluding sentence sums up or finishes the main idea of the paragraph.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!
  • Answer: Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!
  • 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 sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (It rained twice. / The team trained on Mondays. / The coach had a whistle. / In the end, the team's hard work paid off.) → In the end, the team's hard work paid off.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
  2. Recycling helps our planet. It means fewer trees are cut down to make paper. It also keeps plastic out of rivers and oceans. Which sentence would make the best ending? (I have a red bin at home. / Paper is thin. / Oceans are salty. / If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.) → If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

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. Our trip to the science museum was amazing. We touched a real meteorite. We built a robot arm. We even watched a show about lightning. Which sentence would make the best ending? (It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / Robots need batteries. / The bus was blue. / Meteorites are rocks.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.
  2. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (Fish live in water. / Taps can drip. / Water is wet. / That is why everyone should try to save water.) → That is why everyone should try to save water.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.

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: Expanding sentences with detail.
  • 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: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?; Choose the strongest conclusion.
  • 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-3.

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

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Choose the best concluding sentence

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence?

    • A. Overall, our class garden was a big success.
    • B. Worms live in soil.
    • C. We planted beans.
    • D. Carrots are orange.

  2. Question 2

    Volcanoes form where hot, melted rock pushes up through the Earth's crust. Over time, layers of lava and ash pile up. Some volcanoes grow into huge mountains. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. In short, volcanoes are mountains built by the Earth's own heat.
    • B. Have you ever eaten lava cake?
    • C. I visited the beach last summer.
    • D. Mountains can be snowy.

  3. Question 3

    Our school should have a reading den. It would give us a quiet place to read at lunchtime. It would also help younger children love books. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. Some books have pictures.
    • B. That is why a reading den would make our school even better.
    • C. Lunch is at twelve o'clock.
    • D. I like football too.

  4. Question 4

    Our trip to the science museum was amazing. We touched a real meteorite. We built a robot arm. We even watched a show about lightning. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. Meteorites are rocks.
    • B. It was the best school trip I have ever been on.
    • C. The bus was blue.
    • D. Robots need batteries.

  5. Question 5

    Hedgehogs are helpful visitors to gardens. They eat slugs and beetles that damage plants. They also need gaps in fences to travel between gardens at night. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.
    • B. My cousin has a cat called Pepper.
    • C. Slugs are slimy.
    • D. What is your favourite animal?

  6. Question 6

    Making a bird feeder is easy. First, spread seed butter on a pine cone. Next, roll it in birdseed. Then tie a string to the top. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. I don't like butter.
    • B. Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!
    • C. Birds have feathers.
    • D. Pine cones come from trees.

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Answer key: Choose the best concluding sentence

  1. 1. A. Overall, our class garden was a big success.

  2. 2. A. In short, volcanoes are mountains built by the Earth's own heat.

  3. 3. B. That is why a reading den would make our school even better.

  4. 4. B. It was the best school trip I have ever been on.

  5. 5. A. So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.

  6. 6. B. Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!