English – Week 1, Lesson 1

Warm up task – 60 Second Read Read the short text on the left-hand side and then answer the questions on the right-hand side in your pop-up classroom book.

Skill Tasks – Paragraphs What are paragraphs? Paragraphs are a group of sentences written about the same idea or topic. They are used to show when a writer has changed time, place or argument. If a writer changes one of these, a new paragraph will start. How long are paragraphs? There is no set length to a paragraph, but all the sentences need to be on the same topic (as mentioned above). Writers will use shorter paragraphs in non fiction writing (due to using lots of different facts) and longer in fiction writing (due to using more descriptive language). How many paragraphs? Writers use as many paragraphs as they need to make their writing clear. Some paragraphs have a particular role, such as the introduction or conclusion.

Now complete the tasks on the following pages.

TASK 1 – IDENTIFY PARAGRAPHS

TASK 2 – SUMMARISE PARAGRAPHS

Task 3 – Sort the different paragraphs

Application Task – Paragraphs You are going to produce a piece of writing that is at least 3 paragraphs in length. Your writing can be based upon anything you wish, however there are some images below to provide stimulus should your imagination be having a slow day. Your writing needs to include a different opener for each of your paragraphs (see sentence opener mat to help). CHALLENGE: Use adverbs appropriately within your writing.

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH: Last Saturday, me and my friends went to a rock-climbing centre to tackle the terrifying wall of fear. When we arrived, it was clear that we were going to have mentally prepare and support each other in order to conquer this challenge. Firstly, we met the instructor, Geoff, who went through all the rules and the risks of climbing the wall. After our safety talk, we went into a special equipment room where we had to put on protective clothing and harnesses. When we were all kitted out, we headed out to take our first look at the wall of fear.

Plenary Task – Proof Read and Edit Using a different colour pen or pencil please proof read and edit your application task. Use the table below to help with what to do.

Proof Read Edit and Improve • Check that the starts of all your sentences

have a capital letter. • Check that the ends of all your sentences

have either a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark – whichever is appropriate.

• Ask someone to identify any spelling errors you have made and then correct these using a dictionary or known facts.

• Check you have used a capital letter for any proper noun.

• Ensure that you have missed a line in between each paragraph.

• Have you used paragraphs for a new topic– if not, change this.

• Have you used conjunctions – if not, go back and add some in.

• Have you used a range of conjunctions – if not, go back and change some to make your writing more interesting.

• Can you go through and add some adjectives to make your writing more interesting for the reader.

• Can you go through and add some adverbs to make your writing more interesting for the reader.

End of Lesson – now submit your work to Mr McCormack and wait for feedback.