Year 4 - English
Writing the second section of an explanation text about the digestive system
The digestive system: explanation writing
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils research the human digestive system to write an informative and clearly-presented explanation text. Pupils focus on using an array of subject-specific vocabulary appropriately, set within Year 4 level sentence structures, applying causal conjunctions to explain certain features.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to write detailed paragraphs to explain what happens to food when it leaves the stomach.
Key Notes
- The main paragraphs in an explanation text tell the reader how the process of digestion is carried out.
- Subject-specific, scientific vocabulary ensures the reader learns accurate information.
- Fronted adverbials of cause and viewpoint are an important part of explanation texts and support text flow.
- Using a variety of simple, compound and complex sentences helps to effectively communicate the process being explained.
- Adverbial complex sentences and relative complex sentences are a key part of explanation texts and support text flow.
Vocabulary To Learn
- subject-specific vocabulary: vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject
- fronted adverbial of cause: a sentence starter that tells the reader the cause and effect of something
- viewpoint fronted adverbial: a sentence starter that introduces facts and emphasises the writer's opinion
- complex sentence: a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils might include steps in the process from when the food arrives in the mouth.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The main paragraphs in an explanation text tell the reader how the process of digestion is carried out. Subject-specific, scientific vocabulary ensures the reader learns accurate information.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'subject-specific vocabulary'
vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils might include steps in the process from when the food arrives in the mouth. Correction: This section of the explanation text is about what happens after the food leaves the stomach.
More Lessons In This Unit
- The features of an explanation text Study Guide
- Writing the conclusion of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
- Writing the first section of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
- Writing the introduction of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
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