• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choose the best concluding sentence; Choose the best summary of a short text). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (Fish live in water. / Water is wet. / That is why everyone should try to save water. / Taps can drip.) → 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.
2. Octopuses are clever problem-solvers. In aquariums they have unscrewed jar lids to reach food and escaped from their tanks. Scientists think their large brains and flexible arms help them explore and learn. Which is the best summary? (One octopus opened a jar. / Octopuses live in aquariums. / Octopuses are scary. / Octopuses are smart animals that can solve problems, helped by their large brains and flexible arms.) → Octopuses are smart animals that can solve problems, helped by their large brains and flexible arms.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.
3. 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? (The bus was blue. / It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / Robots need batteries. / Meteorites are rocks.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Choose the strongest conclusion. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Bees pollinate many of the crops we eat. Sadly, in many places their numbers are falling. The good news is that people can help by planting flowers and avoiding pesticides. Which is the strongest conclusion for this article?
• Step 1: Strong conclusions sum up, reflect or call the reader to act; weak ones just stop or add random facts.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Bees feed the world in secret; a few flowers on every balcony could help repay them.
• Answer: Bees feed the world in secret; a few flowers on every balcony could help repay them.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. What kind of ending is this? Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, and save water every day. (sums up the main points / calls the reader to act / reflects on a feeling or lesson) → calls the reader to actPrompt: Does it tell the reader to do something, sum up facts, or show what a character feels or learned?
2. Plastic litter washes from streets and rivers into the ocean. Turtles and seabirds can swallow it or get tangled in it. Families can help by choosing reusable bottles and bags. Which is the strongest conclusion for this report? (Every bottle we refuse is one less in the sea; small choices, made by millions, can change the ocean. / Turtles are reptiles. / Plastic was invented a long time ago. / I hope you liked my report.) → Every bottle we refuse is one less in the sea; small choices, made by millions, can change the ocean.Prompt: A good ending links back to the main idea or the beginning.

• 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Plastic litter washes from streets and rivers into the ocean. Turtles and seabirds can swallow it or get tangled in it. Families can help by choosing reusable bottles and bags. Which is the strongest conclusion for this report? (Every bottle we refuse is one less in the sea; small choices, made by millions, can change the ocean. / Plastic was invented a long time ago. / I hope you liked my report. / Turtles are reptiles.) → Every bottle we refuse is one less in the sea; small choices, made by millions, can change the ocean.Prompt: A good ending links back to the main idea or the beginning.
2. What kind of ending is this? To sum up, sleep helps us learn, grow and stay healthy. (sums up the main points / calls the reader to act / reflects on a feeling or lesson) → sums up the main pointsPrompt: Does it tell the reader to do something, sum up facts, or show what a character feels or learned?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.