• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?; Putting sentences in order). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong? (1) Our class garden has grown so much this term. (2) The tomatoes are bright red and ready to pick. (3) My cousin is learning to play the trumpet. (4) The sunflowers are taller than our teacher. (5) We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans. (My cousin is learning to play the trumpet. / The sunflowers are taller than our teacher. / We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans. / Our class garden has grown so much this term.) → My cousin is learning to play the trumpet.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? Our class garden has grown so much this term. The tomatoes are bright red and ready to pick. The sunflowers are taller than our teacher. (Some robots build cars in factories. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. / Recycling metal cans saves energy. / We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans.) → We even found a family of ladybirds on the beans.Prompt: What is the paragraph about? Look at the first sentence.
3. 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. (Volcanoes can erupt without warning. / Finally, remember your sleeping bag and pillow. / Next, choose a game or a film to share. / Getting ready for a sleepover is fun.) → Volcanoes can erupt without warning.Prompt: Read the first sentence: it tells you what the paragraph is about.

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Put the sentences of a paragraph in a logical order. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: These sentences come from one paragraph. Which one should come FIRST, as the topic sentence?
• Step 1: The topic sentence tells you what the whole paragraph is about; the others give the steps or details.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Making a paper boat is easy.
• Answer: Making a paper boat is easy.
• 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. These sentences come from one paragraph. Which one should come FIRST, as the topic sentence? (First, we made posters and put them up around school. / Our class planned a cake sale for the animal shelter. / On Friday, we sold every cake by lunchtime. / In the end, we raised enough money to buy blankets for the dogs.) → Our class planned a cake sale for the animal shelter.Prompt: A topic sentence introduces the whole paragraph.

• 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 1 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. These sentences come from one paragraph. Which one should come FIRST, as the topic sentence? (A caterpillar goes through amazing changes. / Next, it eats and grows for several weeks. / First, it hatches from a tiny egg on a leaf. / At last, a butterfly breaks out and flies away.) → A caterpillar goes through amazing changes.Prompt: A topic sentence introduces the whole paragraph.

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