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English lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 60 minutes

Give reasons with because, also and so

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.2.1England: Y2 Writing (co-ordination and subordination)England: Y3 Writing

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Give reasons with because, also and so.

  • 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: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so; Time order words: first, next, then, finally

Leads to: Choose the best concluding sentence; Linking words for reasons and examples: because, for example, therefore

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Joining ideas with and, but, or and so; Time order words: first, next, then, finally). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the best joining word. It was raining, ___ we played inside. (so / and / but / or) → soPrompt: and adds, but shows a surprise or a difference, or gives a choice, so shows a result.
  2. Choose the time word that fits. ___ you cross the road, look both ways. (Before / After / Finally / Then) → BeforePrompt: Is this step at the start, in the middle or at the end?
  3. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I forgot my coat. I felt cold. (I forgot my coat, so I felt cold. / I forgot my coat, but I felt cold. / I forgot my coat or I felt cold.) → I forgot my coat, so I felt cold.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?

Hook · 6 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Give reasons with because, also and so. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the linking word that fits. Our playground needs more benches ___ there is nowhere to sit.
  • Step 1: Opinion writing uses linking words to give and add reasons.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Our playground needs more benches because there is nowhere to sit."
  • Step 3: So the answer is: because
  • Answer: because
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. Choose the linking word that fits. We should plant more trees ___ they give us clean air. (because / so / but / or) → becausePrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?
  2. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Feed the fish. / We have a class. / Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible. / Fish live in water.) → Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide. / The park has a slide. / Go to the park. / Is the park open today?) → I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide.Prompt: An opinion is what someone thinks or feels.
  2. Choose the linking word that fits. Reading is great because you learn new things. It ___ helps you relax. (because / also / so / but) → alsoPrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?

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: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so.
  • 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: Choose the best concluding sentence; Linking words for reasons and examples: because, for example, therefore.
  • 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-2.

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

eurekami

Give reasons with because, also and so

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason?

    • A. We have a class.
    • B. Feed the fish.
    • C. Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.
    • D. Fish live in water.

  2. Question 2

    Choose the linking word that fits. Recycling saves resources, ___ everyone should do it.

    • A. but
    • B. or
    • C. because
    • D. so

  3. Question 3

    Choose the linking word that fits. Swimming keeps you fit. ___, it is lots of fun.

    • A. Also
    • B. But
    • C. Because
    • D. Or

  4. Question 4

    Choose the linking word that fits. Our playground needs more benches ___ there is nowhere to sit.

    • A. but
    • B. because
    • C. or
    • D. then

  5. Question 5

    Choose the linking word that fits. Cats are easy to look after. They ___ keep themselves clean.

    • A. but
    • B. also
    • C. because
    • D. or

  6. Question 6

    Choose the linking word that fits. Reading is great because you learn new things. It ___ helps you relax.

    • A. also
    • B. but
    • C. because
    • D. so

  7. Question 7

    Choose the linking word that fits. I think dogs make the best pets ___ they are loyal and fun.

    • A. or
    • B. but
    • C. so
    • D. because

  8. Question 8

    Choose the linking word that fits. We should plant more trees ___ they give us clean air.

    • A. so
    • B. because
    • C. or
    • D. but

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Answer key: Give reasons with because, also and so

  1. 1. C. Our class should get a pet fish because it would teach us to be responsible.

  2. 2. D. so

  3. 3. A. Also

  4. 4. B. because

  5. 5. B. also

  6. 6. A. also

  7. 7. D. because

  8. 8. B. because