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English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. The dog ran. Which sentence adds the most useful detail? (The dog it ran. / The muddy dog ran across the park after a ball. / Dog ran fast fast. / The dog ran and ran and ran.) → The muddy dog ran across the park after a ball.Prompt: Good detail tells us more: what kind, where, when or why.
  2. Choose the linking word that fits. We should plant more trees ___ they give us clean air. (so / or / but / because) → becausePrompt: 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 · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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? (Pack a hat. / So, remember to pack these things for a great day out. / Pack some snacks. / Pack a water bottle.) → So, remember to pack these things for a great day out.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
  2. 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? (My cousin has a cat called Pepper. / Slugs are slimy. / What is your favourite animal? / So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.) → So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (So, remember to pack these things for a great day out. / Pack a water bottle. / Pack a hat. / Pack some snacks.) → So, remember to pack these things for a great day out.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
  2. 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? (I like football too. / Lunch is at twelve o'clock. / Some books have pictures. / That is why a reading den would make our school even better.) → That is why a reading den would make our school even better.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

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

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  1. Question 1

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

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence?

    • A. My bike is green.
    • B. Some people cycle to work.
    • C. All in all, cycling is a fun way to stay healthy.
    • D. Bikes have two wheels.

  3. Question 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?

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

  4. Question 4

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

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

  6. Question 6

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

  7. Question 7

    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?

    • A. I have a red bin at home.
    • B. Oceans are salty.
    • C. If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.
    • D. Paper is thin.

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Answer key: Choose the best concluding sentence

  1. 1. A. Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!

  2. 2. C. All in all, cycling is a fun way to stay healthy.

  3. 3. D. It was the best school trip I have ever been on.

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

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

  6. 6. B. In short, volcanoes are mountains built by the Earth's own heat.

  7. 7. C. If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.