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English lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 60 minutes

Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.4.2.ACCSS W.4.5England: Y4 Writing (paragraphs)England: Y3/4 Writing (evaluate and edit)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?.

  • 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: Choose the best concluding sentence; Topic sentences and paragraphs

Leads to: Put the sentences of a paragraph in a logical order

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 (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? (Owls can turn their heads. / In conclusion, owls are amazing night-time hunters. / Owls have big eyes. / Some owls are brown.) → 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 trip to the science museum was amazing. We touched a real meteorite. We built a robot arm. We even watched a show about lightning. Which sentence would make the best ending? (Robots need batteries. / Meteorites are rocks. / It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / The bus was blue.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.
  3. ___ They can see in near darkness. Their soft feathers let them fly silently. Their sharp talons grip prey tightly. Which is the best topic sentence? (I saw an owl once. / Owls are well equipped for hunting at night. / Some birds eat seeds. / Owls are birds.) → Owls are well equipped for hunting at night.Prompt: What is the paragraph mostly about?

Hook · 6 min

  • 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.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • 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.

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. Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Robots help people in many ways. (2) Some robots build cars in factories. (3) Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans. (4) My brother's bike is blue. (5) Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations. (My brother's bike is blue. / Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans. / 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.
  2. Read the start of the paragraph. Which sentence would fit best as the next sentence? Sea otters are clever tool users. They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them. (Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm. / Tiny poison dart frogs live on the forest floor. / It can also make you feel happier and calmer. / Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans.) → Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.

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 start of the paragraph. Which sentence would fit best as the next sentence? Sea otters are clever tool users. They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them. (Tiny poison dart frogs live on the forest floor. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. / It makes your heart and muscles stronger. / Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.) → Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.
  2. 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) Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them. (4) Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm. (5) Giraffes have very long necks. (Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm. / Giraffes have very long necks. / Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them. / They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests.) → Giraffes have very long necks.Prompt: Read the first sentence: it tells you what the paragraph is about.

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: Choose the best concluding sentence.
  • 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: Put the sentences of a paragraph in a logical order.
  • 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-4.

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

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Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 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.

    • A. Volcanoes can erupt without warning.
    • B. Getting ready for a sleepover is fun.
    • C. First, pack your pyjamas and toothbrush.
    • D. Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow.

  2. Question 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.

    • A. Jaguars hunt along the riverbanks.
    • B. They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests.
    • C. It can also make you feel happier and calmer.
    • D. We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans.

  3. Question 3

    Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Penguins are birds that cannot fly. (2) Instead, their wings work like flippers for swimming. (3) Eagles build huge nests on cliffs. (4) Some penguins can dive more than 500 metres deep. (5) On land, they waddle or slide on their bellies.

    • A. On land, they waddle or slide on their bellies.
    • B. Some penguins can dive more than 500 metres deep.
    • C. Instead, their wings work like flippers for swimming.
    • D. Eagles build huge nests on cliffs.

  4. Question 4

    Read the start of the paragraph. Which sentence would fit best as the next sentence? Sea otters are clever tool users. They float on their backs and place a flat stone on their chests. Then they smash shellfish against the stone to open them.

    • A. It can also make you feel happier and calmer.
    • B. Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.
    • C. Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow.
    • D. Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.

  5. Question 5

    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.

    • A. My brother's bike is blue.
    • B. Robots help people in many ways.
    • C. Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.
    • D. Others explore places too dangerous for humans, like deep oceans.

  6. Question 6

    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.

    • A. We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans.
    • B. Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.
    • C. Instead, their wings work like flippers for swimming.
    • D. Colourful toucans fly between the trees.

  7. Question 7

    Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Recycling helps protect the planet. (2) When we recycle paper, fewer trees need to be cut down. (3) Recycling metal cans saves energy. (4) Recycling plastic keeps it out of rivers and seas. (5) Pizza is my favourite food.

    • A. Recycling plastic keeps it out of rivers and seas.
    • B. Recycling metal cans saves energy.
    • C. Pizza is my favourite food.
    • D. Recycling helps protect the planet.

  8. Question 8

    Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) The Amazon rainforest is home to amazing wildlife. (2) Jaguars hunt along the riverbanks. (3) Colourful toucans fly between the trees. (4) Penguins live mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. (5) Tiny poison dart frogs live on the forest floor.

    • A. Colourful toucans fly between the trees.
    • B. Jaguars hunt along the riverbanks.
    • C. Penguins live mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • D. The Amazon rainforest is home to amazing wildlife.

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Answer key: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

  1. 1. A. Volcanoes can erupt without warning.

  2. 2. C. It can also make you feel happier and calmer.

  3. 3. D. Eagles build huge nests on cliffs.

  4. 4. B. Some otters keep a favourite stone in a pouch of skin under their arm.

  5. 5. A. My brother's bike is blue.

  6. 6. B. Doctors even use robots to help with delicate operations.

  7. 7. C. Pizza is my favourite food.

  8. 8. C. Penguins live mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.