• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Linking words to add and explain: in addition, for instance, as a result; Topic sentences and paragraphs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the linking phrase that fits best. The river flooded the fields. ___, the farmers could not plant their crops. (In other words / As a result / In addition / For instance) → As a resultPrompt: Read both sentences. What does the second one do?
2. The hedgehog is nocturnal. In other words, it is active at night. What job does "In other words" do? (adds another point / gives an example / shows a result / explains in other words) → explains in other wordsPrompt: Read what comes straight after the linking phrase.
3. ___ They can see in near darkness. Their soft feathers let them fly silently. Their sharp talons grip prey tightly. Which is the best topic sentence? (Owls are well equipped for hunting at night. / Owls are birds. / Some birds eat seeds. / I saw an owl once.) → Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Hook your reader: choose the strongest opening. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which is the strongest opening for a story about a lost dog?
• Step 1: A strong opening hooks the reader with action, a question, a surprising fact or a vivid detail.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name.
• Answer: Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name.
• 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. Which is the strongest opening for a report on why we should save bees? (This report is about bees. / Without bees, your breakfast might look very different. / I will now write about bees. / Bees are insects.) → Without bees, your breakfast might look very different.Prompt: Which one makes you want to keep reading?
2. What kind of hook is this opening? Thunder rattled the windows as Leo crept down the dark stairs. (a question / a surprising fact / dialogue (speech) / action or vivid description) → action or vivid descriptionPrompt: Look at the punctuation: a question mark? Speech marks?

• 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. Which is the strongest opening for a story about a first day at school? (This story is about school. / My new shoes squeaked with every step, and everyone turned to look. / It was my first day at school. / School is a place where children learn.) → My new shoes squeaked with every step, and everyone turned to look.Prompt: Which one makes you want to keep reading?
2. What kind of hook is this opening? "Don't open that door!" shouted Mum, but it was too late. (a question / a surprising fact / dialogue (speech) / action or vivid description) → dialogue (speech)Prompt: Look at the punctuation: a question mark? Speech marks?

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