Year 5 - English
Making choices between pen or pencil
Building handwriting fluency through speed, choices and writing dialogue
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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 develop their handwriting speed and their ability to select the apppropriate writing implement suited to a given task. They practise applying their cursive handwriting to writing famous quotations, dialogue, a journalistic report and a non-chronological report.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a pen or pencil for a task.
Key Notes
- Pen and pencil are the most common tools used to write or draw with.
- Making a choice between pen and pencil depends on the task and the desired outcome.
- Using a pencil allows for mistakes to be corrected easily with an eraser, which is ideal for sketching and drafting.
- Using a pen is ideal for final drafts as pen is permanent and looks neat and professional.
- Over time you will develop a personal preference for using pen or pencil.
Vocabulary To Learn
- pen: a writing tool used to apply ink to a surface
- pencil: a writing or drawing tool typically consisting of a thin cylindrical stick of graphite
- mistake: an error in accuracy or correctness
- presentation: the structured way to communicate information
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may conclude that they can't make any mistakes with pens.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Pen and pencil are the most common tools used to write or draw with. Making a choice between pen and pencil depends on the task and the desired outcome.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'pen'
a writing tool used to apply ink to a surface.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may conclude that they can't make any mistakes with pens. Correction: Emphasise to the children that pencils are used if there are going to be a lot of mistakes or changes like a sketch or a calculation. Explain that it's OK to make some mistakes with a pen and that these will need to be crossed out neatly.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.