• 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? The team expected the survey to show support for the plan. ___, most respondents opposed it. (Similarly / For example / Instead / Moreover) → InsteadPrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?
2. 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? (Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate. / Many medicines come from rainforest plants. / Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. / Deserts get very little rain.) → Deserts get very little rain.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?
3. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Many desert plants store water in thick stems. ___, the saguaro cactus can hold hundreds of litres. (However / Therefore / For example / In contrast) → For examplePrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?

• 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. 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 2 / before sentence 1 / It should not be added. / after sentence 3) → after sentence 2Prompt: Look for time words, 'for example', 'this' or 'these' that refer back to something.
2. [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… (before sentence 2. / after sentence 4. / before sentence 1. / where it is now.) → before sentence 2.Prompt: 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. [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… (before sentence 1. / before sentence 2. / where it is now. / after sentence 4.) → before sentence 2.Prompt: 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. / after sentence 3. / where it is now. / before sentence 1.) → 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.