• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Topic sentences and paragraphs; Transitions (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Chess requires memory and planning. ___, studies suggest it may improve pupils' concentration. (Previously / Accordingly / Nevertheless / In contrast) → AccordinglyPrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?
2. 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? (My favourite fruit is the mango. / They pollinate fruits and vegetables. / Without them, many crops would fail. / Farmers often keep hives near their fields.) → My favourite fruit is the mango.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
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. / I saw an owl once. / Owls are birds. / Some birds eat seeds.) → 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: Organisation: sentence placement and logical order. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go?
• Step 1: Logical order uses time sequence, general-to-specific movement and clear references back.
• Step 2: 'This ability' refers to the sense of smell described in sentence 2.
• Step 3: So the answer is: after sentence 2
• Answer: after sentence 2
• 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. [1] Tardigrades are tiny animals less than a millimetre long. [2] For example, they have survived the vacuum of space. [3] They are famous for surviving extreme conditions. [4] They can also withstand temperatures close to absolute zero. To make the paragraph most logical, sentence 3 should be placed… (where it is now. / before sentence 2. / after sentence 4. / before sentence 1.) → before sentence 2.Prompt: Look for time words, 'for example', 'this' or 'these' that refer back to something.
2. A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go? (before sentence 1 / after sentence 3 / after sentence 2 / It should not be added.) → after sentence 2Prompt: Look for time words, 'for example', 'this' or 'these' that refer back to something.

• 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 4 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. A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go? (after sentence 3 / after sentence 2 / It should not be added. / before sentence 1) → after sentence 2Prompt: Look for time words, 'for example', 'this' or 'these' that refer back to something.
2. [1] The first public library in the town opened in 1887. [2] Today, it lends e-books as well as print. [3] At first, it held just 300 books, all donated. [4] Over the next century, its collection grew to more than 50,000 volumes. To make the paragraph most logical, sentence 2 should be placed… (after sentence 4. / before sentence 1. / where it is now. / after sentence 3.) → after sentence 4.Prompt: Look for time words, 'for example', 'this' or 'these' that refer back to something.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.