• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Linking words to add and explain: in addition, for instance, as a result; Topic sentences and paragraphs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the linking phrase that fits best. Cycling keeps you fit. ___, it is a cheap way to travel. (As a result / For instance / In other words / In addition) → In additionPrompt: Read both sentences. What does the second one do?
2. Our team trained every day. Moreover, we practised at weekends. What job does "Moreover" do? (adds another point / gives an example / shows a result / explains in other words) → adds another pointPrompt: Read what comes straight after the linking phrase.
3. 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? (Deserts get very little rain. / Rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. / Many medicines come from rainforest plants. / Rainforests also help control the Earth's climate.) → Deserts get very little rain.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: Hook your reader: choose the strongest opening. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which is the strongest opening for a story about a lost dog?
• Step 1: A strong opening hooks the reader with action, a question, a surprising fact or a vivid detail.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name.
• Answer: Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name.
• 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. Which is the strongest opening for a report on why we should save bees? (Bees are insects. / This report is about bees. / Without bees, your breakfast might look very different. / I will now write about bees.) → Without bees, your breakfast might look very different.Prompt: Which one makes you want to keep reading?
2. What kind of hook is this opening? "Don't open that door!" shouted Mum, but it was too late. (a question / a surprising fact / dialogue (speech) / action or vivid description) → dialogue (speech)Prompt: Look at the punctuation: a question mark? Speech marks?

• 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. Which is the strongest opening for a story about a lost dog? (Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name. / This is a story about a dog. / Once there was a dog and it got lost. / I am going to tell you about my dog.) → Somewhere in the storm, a small dog was howling my name.Prompt: Which one makes you want to keep reading?
2. What kind of hook is this opening? "We're going to be late!" Ava cried, grabbing her bag. (a question / a surprising fact / dialogue (speech) / action or vivid description) → dialogue (speech)Prompt: Look at the punctuation: a question mark? Speech marks?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.