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English lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes

Topic sentences and paragraphs

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.4.2.ACCSS W.4.1.AEngland: Y4 Writing (paragraphs)England: KS2 Writing

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Topic sentences and paragraphs.

  • 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: Combining sentences; Main idea and supporting details

Leads to: Linking ideas across paragraphs (cohesion); Organisation: sentence placement and logical order; Thesis statements and supporting evidence

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 (Combining sentences; Main idea and supporting details). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which is the best way to join these sentences? We stayed inside. It was raining. • We stayed inside, it was raining. • We stayed inside but it was raining. • Because we stayed inside it was raining. • We stayed inside because it was raining. (We stayed inside, it was raining. / We stayed inside but it was raining. / Because we stayed inside it was raining. / We stayed inside because it was raining.) → We stayed inside because it was raining.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?
  2. Dolphins are very smart. They can learn tricks, solve puzzles and recognise themselves in a mirror. They also talk to each other with clicks and whistles. What is the main idea? (Dolphins whistle. / Dolphins are intelligent animals. / Dolphins like mirrors. / Dolphins live in the sea.) → Dolphins are intelligent animals.Prompt: What is the WHOLE text mostly about, not just one part?
  3. Which is the best way to join these sentences? The shop was shut. We went home. • The shop was shut, we went home. • The shop was shut because we went home. • The shop was shut, so we went home. • The shop was shut but we went home. (The shop was shut, we went home. / The shop was shut because we went home. / The shop was shut, so we went home. / The shop was shut but we went home.) → The shop was shut, so we went home.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?

Hook · 5 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Topic sentences and paragraphs. 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: Bees are vital to our food supply. They pollinate fruits and vegetables. Without them, many crops would fail. My favourite fruit is the mango. Farmers often keep hives near their fields. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?
  • Step 1: A paragraph has one main idea, introduced by a topic sentence and supported by details.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: My favourite fruit is the mango.
  • Answer: My favourite fruit is the mango.
  • 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. Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Many medicines come from rainforest plants. Deserts get very little rain. Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Deserts get very little rain. / Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. / Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. / Many medicines come from rainforest plants.) → Deserts get very little rain.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
  2. Our class trip to the museum was amazing. We saw a real dinosaur skeleton. My cousin lives in another city. Then we tried on armour in the history room. At the end, we visited the gift shop. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (We saw a real dinosaur skeleton. / My cousin lives in another city. / At the end, we visited the gift shop. / Then we tried on armour in the history room.) → My cousin lives in another city.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

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 6 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. Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Many medicines come from rainforest plants. Deserts get very little rain. Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Deserts get very little rain. / Many medicines come from rainforest plants. / Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. / Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate.) → Deserts get very little rain.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
  2. Our class trip to the museum was amazing. We saw a real dinosaur skeleton. My cousin lives in another city. Then we tried on armour in the history room. At the end, we visited the gift shop. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (At the end, we visited the gift shop. / Then we tried on armour in the history room. / My cousin lives in another city. / We saw a real dinosaur skeleton.) → My cousin lives in another city.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

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: Combining sentences.
  • 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: Linking ideas across paragraphs (cohesion); Organisation: sentence placement and logical order; Thesis statements and supporting evidence.
  • 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-4.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Topic sentences and paragraphs

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    ___ 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?

    • A. Owls are birds.
    • B. Some birds eat seeds.
    • C. I saw an owl once.
    • D. Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.

  2. Question 2

    ___ First, gather your ingredients. Next, mix them in a large bowl. Finally, bake for twenty minutes. Which is the best topic sentence?

    • A. Bowls can be large or small.
    • B. My aunt has an oven.
    • C. Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.
    • D. Muffins are delicious.

  3. Question 3

    Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Many medicines come from rainforest plants. Deserts get very little rain. Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate.
    • B. Deserts get very little rain.
    • C. Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species.
    • D. Many medicines come from rainforest plants.

  4. Question 4

    ___ It gives pupils exercise. It teaches teamwork. It also helps them make friends. Which is the best topic sentence?

    • A. Teamwork is a word.
    • B. Football is played with a ball.
    • C. Playing a team sport has many benefits for pupils.
    • D. Some pupils prefer reading.

  5. Question 5

    Bees are vital to our food supply. They pollinate fruits and vegetables. Without them, many crops would fail. My favourite fruit is the mango. Farmers often keep hives near their fields. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. My favourite fruit is the mango.
    • B. Farmers often keep hives near their fields.
    • C. Without them, many crops would fail.
    • D. They pollinate fruits and vegetables.

  6. Question 6

    Our class trip to the museum was amazing. We saw a real dinosaur skeleton. My cousin lives in another city. Then we tried on armour in the history room. At the end, we visited the gift shop. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. We saw a real dinosaur skeleton.
    • B. At the end, we visited the gift shop.
    • C. My cousin lives in another city.
    • D. Then we tried on armour in the history room.

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Answer key: Topic sentences and paragraphs

  1. 1. D. Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.

  2. 2. C. Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.

  3. 3. B. Deserts get very little rain.

  4. 4. C. Playing a team sport has many benefits for pupils.

  5. 5. A. My favourite fruit is the mango.

  6. 6. C. My cousin lives in another city.