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English lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. My bike had a flat tyre, ___ Dad fixed it. (but / or / 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. First, fill the watering can. ___, water the plants. (Once upon a time / Before / First / Next) → NextPrompt: 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 forgot my coat. I felt cold. (I forgot my coat, so I felt cold. / I forgot my coat, but I felt cold. / I forgot my coat or I felt cold.) → I forgot my coat, so I felt cold.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 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. Choose the linking word that fits. I think dogs make the best pets ___ they are loyal and fun. (because / or / but / so) → becausePrompt: 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? (The park has a slide. / Is the park open today? / I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide. / Go to the park.) → I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.

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 8 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. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible. / We have a class. / Fish live in water. / Feed the fish.) → Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.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 / because / but / also) → 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/ 8

  1. Question 1

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

    • A. The park has a slide.
    • B. Is the park open today?
    • C. Go to the park.
    • D. I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide.

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    Choose the linking word that fits. Recycling saves resources, ___ everyone should do it.

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

  5. Question 5

    Choose the linking word that fits. I love winter ___ I can build snowmen.

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

  7. Question 7

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

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

  8. Question 8

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

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

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Answer key: Give reasons with because, also and so

  1. 1. D. I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide.

  2. 2. B. also

  3. 3. D. because

  4. 4. C. so

  5. 5. C. because

  6. 6. A. Also

  7. 7. C. also

  8. 8. B. because