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English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes

Choose the best concluding sentence

Writing & Editing

CCSS W.3.1.DCCSS W.3.2.DEngland: Y3/4 Writing (paragraphs)England: Y3 Writing (non-narrative)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Choose the best concluding sentence.

  • 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: Expanding sentences with detail; Give reasons with because, also and so

Leads to: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?; Choose the strongest conclusion

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 (Expanding sentences with detail; Give reasons with because, also and so). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. A bird sang. Which sentence adds the most useful detail? (A tiny robin sang on the frosty fence at dawn. / A bird sang a song a song. / Sang a bird. / A bird it sang.) → A tiny robin sang on the frosty fence at dawn.Prompt: Good detail tells us more: what kind, where, when or why.
  2. Choose the linking word that fits. Our playground needs more benches ___ there is nowhere to sit. (then / but / or / because) → becausePrompt: Is the writer giving a reason (because), adding another reason (also) or showing a result (so)?
  3. Read the question. Which sentence gives an opinion with a reason? (Go to the park. / The park has a slide. / I think the park is the best place to play because it has a huge slide. / 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.

Hook · 6 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Choose the best concluding sentence. 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: Making a bird feeder is easy. First, spread seed butter on a pine cone. Next, roll it in birdseed. Then tie a string to the top. Which sentence would make the best ending?
  • Step 1: A good concluding sentence sums up or finishes the main idea of the paragraph.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!
  • Answer: Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!
  • 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. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (Pack some snacks. / Pack a hat. / Pack a water bottle. / 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. 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. / The bus was blue. / It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / Meteorites are rocks.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.

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 7 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. 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. / The bus was blue. / It was the best school trip I have ever been on. / Meteorites are rocks.) → It was the best school trip I have ever been on.Prompt: A concluding sentence wraps up the whole paragraph.
  2. Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence? (Water is wet. / That is why everyone should try to save water. / Fish live in water. / Taps can drip.) → That is why everyone should try to save water.Prompt: Concluding sentences often begin with words like In conclusion, All in all, Overall, So or That is why.

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: Expanding sentences with detail.
  • 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: Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?; Choose the strongest conclusion.
  • 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-3.

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

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Choose the best concluding sentence

Name

Date

Score/ 7

  1. Question 1

    Making a bird feeder is easy. First, spread seed butter on a pine cone. Next, roll it in birdseed. Then tie a string to the top. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. I don't like butter.
    • B. Pine cones come from trees.
    • C. Birds have feathers.
    • D. Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence sounds most like a CONCLUDING sentence?

    • A. Owls have big eyes.
    • B. In conclusion, owls are amazing night-time hunters.
    • C. Owls can turn their heads.
    • D. Some owls are brown.

  3. Question 3

    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?

    • A. If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.
    • B. I have a red bin at home.
    • C. Oceans are salty.
    • D. Paper is thin.

  4. Question 4

    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?

    • A. The bus was blue.
    • B. Meteorites are rocks.
    • C. It was the best school trip I have ever been on.
    • D. Robots need batteries.

  5. Question 5

    Volcanoes form where hot, melted rock pushes up through the Earth's crust. Over time, layers of lava and ash pile up. Some volcanoes grow into huge mountains. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. I visited the beach last summer.
    • B. In short, volcanoes are mountains built by the Earth's own heat.
    • C. Mountains can be snowy.
    • D. Have you ever eaten lava cake?

  6. Question 6

    Hedgehogs are helpful visitors to gardens. They eat slugs and beetles that damage plants. They also need gaps in fences to travel between gardens at night. Which sentence would make the best ending?

    • A. My cousin has a cat called Pepper.
    • B. What is your favourite animal?
    • C. Slugs are slimy.
    • D. So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.

  7. Question 7

    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?

    • A. That is why a reading den would make our school even better.
    • B. I like football too.
    • C. Lunch is at twelve o'clock.
    • D. Some books have pictures.

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Answer key: Choose the best concluding sentence

  1. 1. D. Finally, hang it on a branch and watch the birds arrive!

  2. 2. B. In conclusion, owls are amazing night-time hunters.

  3. 3. A. If everyone recycles, we can all help protect the Earth.

  4. 4. C. It was the best school trip I have ever been on.

  5. 5. B. In short, volcanoes are mountains built by the Earth's own heat.

  6. 6. D. So, a hedgehog-friendly garden is good for plants and hedgehogs alike.

  7. 7. A. That is why a reading den would make our school even better.