• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choose the best concluding sentence; Topic sentences and paragraphs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (Pack a water bottle. / Pack some snacks. / Pack a hat. / So, remember to pack these things for a great day out.) → So, remember to pack these things for a great day out.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
2. Recycling helps our planet. It means fewer trees are cut down to make paper. It also keeps plastic out of rivers and oceans. Which sentence would make the best ending? (I have a red bin at home. / Oceans are salty. / Paper is thin. / If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.) → If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.
3. ___ First, gather your ingredients. Next, mix them in a large bowl. Finally, bake for twenty minutes. Which is the best topic sentence? (My aunt has an oven. / Bowls can be large or small. / Muffins are delicious. / Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.) → Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps.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: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Robots help people in many ways. (2) Some robots build cars in factories. (3) My brother's bike is blue. (4) Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans. (5) Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.
• Step 1: The paragraph is about: "Robots help people in many ways." One sentence is off the topic.
• Step 2: So the answer is: My brother's bike is blue.
• Answer: My brother's bike is blue.
• 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. Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Sea otters are clever tool users. (2) Giraffes have very long necks. (3) They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. (4) Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them. (5) Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm. (Sea otters are clever tool users. / Giraffes have very long necks. / Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm. / Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them.) → Giraffes have very long necks.Prompt: Read the first sentence: it tells you what the paragraph is about.
2. Read the start of the paragraph. Which sentence would fit best as the next sentence? Exercise is good for your body and your mind. It makes your heart and muscles stronger. It helps you sleep better at night. (The tomatoes are bright red and ready to pick. / It can also make you feel happier and calmer. / Tiny poison dart frogs live on the forest floor. / On land, they waddle or slide on their bellies.) → It can also make you feel happier and calmer.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.

• 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. Read the start of the paragraph. Which sentence would fit best as the next sentence? Getting ready for a sleepover is fun. First, pack your pyjamas and toothbrush. Next, choose a game or a film to share. (It makes your heart and muscles stronger. / When we recycle paper, fewer trees need to be cut down. / The tomatoes are bright red and ready to pick. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow.) → Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.
2. Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Robots help people in many ways. (2) My brother's bike is blue. (3) Some robots build cars in factories. (4) Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans. (5) Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations. (Some robots build cars in factories. / My brother's bike is blue. / Robots help people in many ways. / Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.) → My brother's bike is blue.Prompt: Read the first sentence: it tells you what the paragraph is about.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.