• 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? (Some owls are brown. / Owls have big eyes. / In conclusion, owls are amazing night-time hunters. / Owls can turn their heads.) → In conclusion, owls are amazing night-time hunters.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.
2. Our school should have a reading den. It would give us a quiet place to read at lunchtime. It would also help younger children love books. Which sentence would make the best ending? (I like football too. / Lunch is at twelve o'clock. / Some books have pictures. / That is why a reading den would make our school even better.) → That is why a reading den would make our school even better.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? (Making muffins is simple if you follow three steps. / Bowls can be large or small. / Muffins are delicious. / My aunt has an oven.) → 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) Getting ready for a sleepover is fun. (2) Volcanoes can erupt without warning. (3) First, pack your pyjamas and toothbrush. (4) Next, choose a game or a film to share. (5) Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. (Next, choose a game or a film to share. / Getting ready for a sleepover is fun. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. / Volcanoes can erupt without warning.) → Volcanoes can erupt without warning.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? Robots help people in many ways. Some robots build cars in factories. Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans. (Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations. / First, pack your pyjamas and toothbrush. / It makes your heart and muscles stronger. / Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.) → Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.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 paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Sea otters are clever tool users. (2) They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. (3) Giraffes have very long necks. (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. (Giraffes have very long necks. / They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. / 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. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. / It can also make you feel happier and calmer. / Recycling plastic keeps it out of rivers and seas.) → It can also make you feel happier and calmer.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.

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