• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Combining sentences with conjunctions). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. You water the seeds. They won't grow. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Although you water the seeds, they won't grow. / Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow. / You water the seeds, so they won't grow. / Because you water the seeds, they won't grow.) → Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. Wait here ___ I find the keys. (show time) (or / because / although / until) → untilPrompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?
3. Leo likes maths. His sister prefers art. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Because Leo likes maths, his sister prefers art. / Leo likes maths unless his sister prefers art. / Leo likes maths, so his sister prefers art. / Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art.) → Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What relationship does this transition show? for example
• Step 1: Transitions signal how ideas relate: addition, contrast, cause and effect, example, sequence or concession.
• Step 2: It introduces an example.
• Step 3: So the answer is: example
• Answer: example
• 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 relationship does this transition show? in addition (addition / contrast / example / concession) → additionPrompt: Imagine the word joining two sentences. Is the second one adding, opposing, resulting, illustrating, coming next, or admitting something?
2. Choose the transition that best fits the logic of the text. The bridge was damaged in the flood. ___, it was closed for repairs. (For instance / Consequently / Moreover / Nevertheless) → ConsequentlyPrompt: Read the sentence before and after the gap. How are they related?

• 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. What relationship does this transition show? therefore (addition / contrast / cause and effect / sequence or time) → cause and effectPrompt: Imagine the word joining two sentences. Is the second one adding, opposing, resulting, illustrating, coming next, or admitting something?
2. Choose the transition that best fits the logic of the text. The village is tiny. ___, it has three bakeries. (Therefore / For example / Even so / As a result) → Even soPrompt: Read the sentence before and after the gap. How are they related?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.