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20892 ACE Language (Yr 5) Sentence Starters beginnings and Text Prediction

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YEAR 5<br />

ENGLISH<br />

LANGUAGE:<br />

TEXT STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION<br />

<strong>Sentence</strong> starters, sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> <strong>and</strong> text predicting<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a<br />

sentence gives prominence to the message in<br />

the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the<br />

text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

Australian Primary Publisher<br />

of the Year 2015 <strong>and</strong> 2016


Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

Foreword<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) is one in a series of seven teacher<br />

resource books that support teaching <strong>and</strong> learning activities in Australian Curriculum English. The books focus on<br />

the sub-str<strong>and</strong> of <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation within the <strong>Language</strong> str<strong>and</strong> of the national English curriculum.<br />

The resource books include theoretical background information, activities to develop the content descriptions, blackline<br />

masters, resource sheets <strong>and</strong> assessment checklists, along with interrelated links to other English str<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> sub-str<strong>and</strong>s.<br />

Titles in this series are:<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Foundation)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 1)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 2)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 3)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 4)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

• Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 6)<br />

Contents<br />

Format of this book .................................. iv – v<br />

<strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong><br />

organisation .............................................. 2–81<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> how texts vary in purpose, structure <strong>and</strong><br />

topic as well as the degree of formality (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1504)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

–Teacher information ................................................. 2<br />

–Activities to develop the content description ...... 3–11<br />

–Blackline masters ............................................. 12–25<br />

–Assessment checklist ............................................. 26<br />

–Interrelated English links ........................................ 27<br />

– Modes, capabilities <strong>and</strong> priorities covered by the<br />

activities in this content description ........................27<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives<br />

prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for<br />

prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

–Teacher information ............................................... 28<br />

–Activities to develop the content description .......... 29<br />

– Blackline masters <strong>and</strong><br />

resource sheets ................................................ 30–37<br />

–Assessment checklist ............................................. 38<br />

–Interrelated English links ........................................ 39<br />

– Modes, capabilities <strong>and</strong> priorities covered by the<br />

activities in this content description ....................... 39<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> how the grammatical category of<br />

possessives is signalled through apostrophes <strong>and</strong> how<br />

to use apostrophes with common <strong>and</strong> proper nouns<br />

(<strong>ACE</strong>LA1506)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

–Teacher information ............................................... 40<br />

–Activities to develop the content description .......... 41<br />

– Blackline masters<br />

<strong>and</strong> resource sheets ......................................... 42–56<br />

–Assessment checklist .............................................. 57<br />

–Interrelated English links ......................................... 58<br />

– Modes, capabilities <strong>and</strong> priorities covered by the<br />

activities in this content description......................... 58<br />

–Teachers notes ........................................................ 59<br />

Investigate how the organisation of texts into<br />

chapters, headings, subheadings (home pages <strong>and</strong><br />

sub pages for online texts) <strong>and</strong> according to<br />

chronology or topic, can be used to predict content<br />

<strong>and</strong> assist navigation (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1797)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

–Teacher information ................................................ 60<br />

–Activities to develop the content description .......... 61<br />

– Blackline masters<br />

<strong>and</strong> resource sheets ......................................... 62–79<br />

–Assessment checklist .............................................. 80<br />

–Interrelated English links ......................................... 81<br />

– Modes, capabilities <strong>and</strong> priorities covered by the<br />

activities in this content description ........................ 81<br />

Answers .....................................................82–84<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

iii


Format of the book<br />

This teacher resource book includes supporting materials for teaching <strong>and</strong> learning in the sub-str<strong>and</strong> of <strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation within the str<strong>and</strong> of <strong>Language</strong> in Australian Curriculum English. All content descriptions in the substr<strong>and</strong><br />

have been included, as well as teaching points based on the Curriculum’s elaborations.<br />

While the book focuses on the sub-str<strong>and</strong> of <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation, activities <strong>and</strong> interrelated links to other<br />

str<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> sub-str<strong>and</strong>s have been incorporated.<br />

Each section supports a specific content description <strong>and</strong> follows a consistent format, containing the following<br />

information over several pages:<br />

• activities to develop the content descriptions • student blackline masters • resource sheets<br />

• interrelated English links<br />

• assessment checklist<br />

Answers relating to student blackline masters have been included at the back of the book.<br />

The length of each content description section varies.<br />

Teacher information includes background information relating to the content description, as well as<br />

related terms <strong>and</strong> desirable student vocabulary <strong>and</strong> other useful details which may assist the teacher.<br />

Related terms includes vocabulary<br />

associated with the content description.<br />

Many of these relate to the glossary<br />

in the back of the official Australian<br />

Curriculum English document;<br />

additional related terms may also have<br />

been added.<br />

Student vocabulary includes words<br />

which the teacher would use—<br />

<strong>and</strong> expect the students to learn,<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> use—during English<br />

lessons.<br />

Further resources by R.I.C.<br />

Publications ® or other publishers<br />

or authors are included where<br />

appropriate.<br />

<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> how texts vary in purpose,<br />

Activities to<br />

structure <strong>and</strong> topic as well as the degree of<br />

formality (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1504)<br />

develop the<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012 content description<br />

E1. Analyses <strong>and</strong> identifies the most appropriate choice of text type for a given purpose <strong>and</strong> topic.<br />

? What this means<br />

provides a general<br />

explanation of the content<br />

description.<br />

Teaching points<br />

provides a list of<br />

the main teaching points<br />

relating to the content<br />

description.<br />

Elaborations are a<br />

list of elaborations<br />

based on those in the<br />

content description.<br />

Activities to develop the content<br />

description includes descriptions or<br />

instructions for activities or games<br />

relating to the content descriptions<br />

or elaborations. Some activities are<br />

supported by blackline masters or<br />

resource sheets. Where applicable,<br />

these will be stated for easy reference.<br />

Analysing text structures <strong>and</strong> language features of various text types (pages 12 to 25)<br />

Pages 5 to 11 provide teacher information, student activities <strong>and</strong> examples of seven imaginative, informative <strong>and</strong> persuasive text types written in<br />

the forms of a narrative, a procedure, a report, an explanation, an exposition, a discussion <strong>and</strong> a recount. These pages support the blackline masters<br />

provided on pages 12 to 25.<br />

Each text type in pages 5 to 11 includes:<br />

– information for the teacher about the various language <strong>and</strong> structural features, <strong>and</strong> the purpose of the specifi c text type<br />

– a detailed analysis of the structural <strong>and</strong> language features of the text presented in the sample texts provided on pages 12 to 25<br />

– suggested activities for helping students analyse structural <strong>and</strong> language features, <strong>and</strong> the purpose of the specifi c text type<br />

– answers for the student analysis worksheets, presented at the back of the book.<br />

Analysing texts<br />

In preparation for their own writing, provide students with a variety of appropriate text types across a range of topics. Analyse them by discussing the<br />

structure <strong>and</strong> language features, <strong>and</strong> the purpose, formality <strong>and</strong> intended audience. As the structures <strong>and</strong> language features are identifi ed, they can<br />

be presented in charts so that similarities <strong>and</strong> differences between different text types can be seen. The more students analyse the different text types<br />

written by others, the more able they will be in planning <strong>and</strong> writing their own.<br />

Using technology to present text types<br />

To help students identify the language features of text types, scan <strong>and</strong> enlarge the sample texts on pages 12 to 24 for use with an interactive<br />

whiteboard text program. Colour code the different language features <strong>and</strong> compare <strong>and</strong> contrast their use in different text types.<br />

Analysing the purpose of texts (page 4)<br />

Provide students with a variety of appropriate text types across a range of topics. Use the table on page 4 to help them analyse each text <strong>and</strong> answer<br />

the questions: Is it a factual or literary text type? Was it written to inform, to entertain or to persuade?<br />

<strong>Language</strong> <strong>and</strong> text structure revision/introduction activities<br />

As students need to identify language features such as verb tense, use of adverbs <strong>and</strong> adjectives to enhance <strong>and</strong> /or clarify meaning, identify pronouns<br />

<strong>and</strong> use of text connectives such as conjunctions, they will need revision/teaching to become familiar with these. The Primary grammar <strong>and</strong> word<br />

study series by R.I.C. Publications provides background information for the teacher, teaching suggestions <strong>and</strong> student worksheets on these aspects. The<br />

content description on pages 28 to 39 of this book also treats pronoun reference <strong>and</strong> text connectives in detail.<br />

Interrelated English links: See page 27.<br />

E2. Determines the degree of formality of text type appropriate for a given audience.<br />

Identifying the degree of formality in text types<br />

Provide students with a variety of appropriate text types across a range of topics. Suggest the possible intended audience giving reasons for suggestions.<br />

Informal text is written much as the spoken word. Formal text is written correctly but not as we would necessarily speak. Some examples of formal/<br />

informal features are:<br />

Features of formal text<br />

Features of informal text<br />

actions actions<br />

<br />

n<br />

<br />

casual style<br />

Altering the degree of formality in text types<br />

Having classifi ed texts as either formal or informal, convert them from one type to the other. To help with the degree of formality, suggest examples of<br />

people the students know or know of, to be the audience. This will help them to choose appropriate language <strong>and</strong> styles.<br />

R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

3<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

iv


Format of the bookum.<br />

Blackline masters<br />

<strong>and</strong> resource sheets<br />

are provided to support<br />

teaching <strong>and</strong> learning<br />

activities for each content<br />

description. These include<br />

worksheets for class use,<br />

games, charts or other<br />

materials which the teacher<br />

might find useful to use or<br />

display in the classroom.<br />

For each blackline master or<br />

resource sheet, the content<br />

description to which it<br />

relates is given.<br />

Each section has a checklist<br />

which teachers may find useful as<br />

a place to keep a record of their<br />

observations of the activities to<br />

develop the content descriptions.<br />

Interrelated English links<br />

lists other links covered within<br />

the <strong>Language</strong> str<strong>and</strong>, Literature<br />

str<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Literacy str<strong>and</strong> of<br />

English that are incorporated in<br />

the activities provided with the<br />

content description. While the<br />

book’s approach focuses on the<br />

<strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

sub-str<strong>and</strong>, the links show the<br />

integration across the three<br />

str<strong>and</strong>s.<br />

A table showing the <strong>Language</strong><br />

modes, General capabilities<br />

<strong>and</strong> Cross-curriculum priorities<br />

covered by the activities in each<br />

content description is provided.<br />

Answers for student worksheets<br />

are provided at the back of the<br />

book.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

v


<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the<br />

text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Related terms<br />

<strong>Text</strong>s<br />

Written, spoken or multimodal forms of<br />

communication for a range of purposes. <strong>Text</strong><br />

forms, organisation <strong>and</strong> conventions have been<br />

developed to enhance effective communication.<br />

<strong>Sentence</strong><br />

A language unit consisting of one or more<br />

clauses which are linked grammatically. A<br />

written sentence starts with a capital letter<br />

<strong>and</strong> ends with a full stop, question mark or<br />

exclamation mark.<br />

<strong>Sentence</strong> starter<br />

The fi rst words of a sentence.<br />

<strong>Prediction</strong><br />

An informed presumption about something that<br />

might happen.<br />

Interrogatives<br />

Elements forming or constituting a question.<br />

Paragraph<br />

A group of related sentences that develop a<br />

central idea. A paragraph is indicated by a new<br />

line with a line space <strong>and</strong> may be indented or<br />

numbered.<br />

Topic sentence<br />

Usually the fi rst sentence in a paragraph which<br />

identifi es the main idea linking the sentences.<br />

Main idea<br />

The central theme which links information.<br />

?<br />

T<br />

E<br />

What this means<br />

Teacher information<br />

• <strong>Prediction</strong> is an essential reading <strong>and</strong> comprehending skill.<br />

• <strong>Sentence</strong> <strong>beginnings</strong> can be used to make predictions about the message in the text.<br />

• Students need to identify the starting point of a sentence <strong>and</strong> to realise its<br />

importance.<br />

• When composing sentences particular care should be given to deciding how to start<br />

them.<br />

Teaching points<br />

• When you read it is important to think about what is likely to be in the text.<br />

• There are many things in a text you can use to make predictions about what’s in it.<br />

• The beginning of a sentence can help a reader to predict what the sentence <strong>and</strong> the<br />

whole text could be about.<br />

• When you write sentences it’s important to think about how they start.<br />

Elaborations<br />

E1. Identifying sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> <strong>and</strong> observing how they are used to signal what<br />

sentences are about. Using this underst<strong>and</strong>ing to match sentence beginning <strong>and</strong><br />

endings.<br />

E2. Making predictions from sentence starters <strong>and</strong> using this information to complete<br />

sentences.<br />

Further resources<br />

• A time marker <strong>and</strong> tense activity for students: http://www.york.ac.uk/res/<br />

elanguages/index/Modulecd/cu2s6/cu2s60702.htm<br />

Student vocabulary<br />

sentence<br />

sentence starter<br />

main idea<br />

topic sentence<br />

paragraph<br />

prediction<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

28


<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives<br />

prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for<br />

prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Activities to<br />

develop the<br />

content description<br />

E1. Identifying sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> <strong>and</strong> observing how they are used to signal what sentences are<br />

about. Using this underst<strong>and</strong>ing to match sentence beginning <strong>and</strong> endings.<br />

• <strong>Sentence</strong> starter searches<br />

Discuss time markers as sentences starters with the class <strong>and</strong> compile a list on a large sheet of paper. Students can work with a partner to search in<br />

some different texts for more of them to add to the class list. This list should be displayed so it’s available for students to refer to when writing.<br />

This activity can then be extended to a different category of sentence starters, such as contrasting information or additional information <strong>and</strong> lists<br />

compiled for class reference.<br />

• Predicting from sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> (page 30)<br />

This resource sheet categorises some different types of sentence <strong>beginnings</strong>. Some examples of each type are included together with what each could<br />

indicate about the particular sentence it starts <strong>and</strong> the text generally.<br />

The resource page is intended as a starting point for class discussion <strong>and</strong> observation about what can be predicted from the fi rst words in a sentence.<br />

• Looking at sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> (page 31)<br />

This resource sheet sets out some short simple texts which are analysed to demonstrate how the sentence starter can predict the type of information<br />

which follows.<br />

These examples <strong>and</strong> the analyses may help to clarify the concept for teachers. It could be used for class demonstration <strong>and</strong> discussion.<br />

• Matching sentence starters (page 32)<br />

This activity requires students to carefully consider which of six sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> <strong>and</strong> ends match best. They should be encouraged to examine each<br />

option carefully, looking for <strong>and</strong> linking clues, such as ‘also’ <strong>and</strong> ‘In addition to this’, ‘both’ <strong>and</strong> ‘Similarly’, <strong>and</strong> ‘instead’ <strong>and</strong> ‘On the other h<strong>and</strong>’.<br />

• How does it end? (page 33)<br />

In this multiple choice activity students are given three options for completing sentences. Some are clearly incorrect but others require students to give<br />

careful thought to their selections. They should then be prepared to justify their choices to a small group or the class.<br />

Interrelated English links: See page 39.<br />

E2. Making predictions from sentence starters <strong>and</strong> using this information to complete sentences.<br />

• Using sentence starters (page 34)<br />

This activity provides the students with a choice of four sentence starters in the categories of: time markers, additional information, comparison <strong>and</strong><br />

contrast. They use their choice at the beginning of an appropriate sentence in each particular category.<br />

• What’s the next sentence? (page 35)<br />

Students read a sentence then use the sentence starter provided after it to write an associated sentence. They need to underst<strong>and</strong> the sentence opener<br />

must link the two sentences <strong>and</strong> the information in their new sentence must provide the type of information it signals. For example: ’At last’ is a time<br />

marker signalling a fi nal outcome, so this information needs to be part of the sentence they write.<br />

• What came before this? (page 36)<br />

Students are given a sentence. They are required to identify the sentence starter in it <strong>and</strong> then write a sentence which would be suitably placed before<br />

this particular sentence. It may be quite challenging for some students to work out the information they need to give in their sentence <strong>and</strong> to link it with<br />

the given sentence <strong>and</strong> its sentence starter.<br />

• Making a good start (page 37)<br />

The fi rst activity on this page provides an opportunity for students to improve text by replacing sentence starters in a paragraph. They can make their<br />

selections from a given list.<br />

The paragraph in the second activity needs different time markers to replace ‘then’. The new paragraph is to be written on a separate page.<br />

Interrelated English links: See page 39.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

29


Predicting from sentence <strong>beginnings</strong><br />

Resource sheet<br />

The way a sentence begins can be used to make predictions about what’s in the sentence, what type of<br />

text it is <strong>and</strong> what it is likely to be about.<br />

Examples include:<br />

1. Once upon a time ...<br />

This sentence usually introduces the characters <strong>and</strong> setting of a fairytale.<br />

2. Dear Sir ... or Hi Jess ...<br />

These <strong>beginnings</strong> would indicate a letter <strong>and</strong> a less formal letter or email.<br />

3. C U L8R @ ...<br />

The beginning of this message indicates that it is a text message.<br />

4. Scene One: Boy enters ...<br />

This text indicates a playscript.<br />

5. www. ...<br />

This text indicates a link to a website.<br />

6. jimsmith@ ...<br />

This text is the beginning of an email address.<br />

7. Interrogatives (question words)<br />

These words indicate a question asking for information about something.<br />

• Where ... asks a question about a place<br />

• Who ... asks a question about a person or people<br />

• When ... asks a question about time<br />

• Why ... asks a question about a reason or reasons<br />

• What ... asks a question about information<br />

• How ... asks a question about manner, procedure or for an explanation<br />

8. Time markers<br />

These words indicate information about a point in time or the order of events.<br />

Later ..., Eventually ..., Shortly after ..., Before this ..., Gradually ..., Finally ..., Meanwhile ..., Before<br />

long ..., To begin with ..., Then ..., At last ..., At fi rst ...<br />

9. Additional information<br />

These words indicate further information or details will be provided.<br />

What’s more ..., Furthermore ..., In addition ..., Besides this ..., Also ...<br />

10. Comparative information<br />

Similarly ..., Also ..., At the same time ..., More specifi cally ..., After all ...<br />

11. Contrasting information<br />

Nevertheless ..., However ..., Conversely ..., On the other h<strong>and</strong> ...<br />

12. Cause <strong>and</strong> effect<br />

As a result ..., Therefore ..., This is why ..., As a consequence ... Accordingly ...<br />

13. Concluding <strong>and</strong> summarising<br />

In conclusion ..., Finally ..., In summary ..., Lastly ... To conclude ...<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

30<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012


Looking at sentence <strong>beginnings</strong><br />

Resource sheet<br />

The sentence <strong>beginnings</strong>, even in a short, very simple text, can predict the type of information provided<br />

in those sentences.<br />

The following examples <strong>and</strong> analyses are simple explanations of how this could work.<br />

Sample informational text<br />

Whales are the largest mammals in the world.<br />

They have a blowhole to breathe air through.<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Many whales are toothless baleen whales that eat krill <strong>and</strong> plankton.<br />

However, some have teeth <strong>and</strong> eat fish <strong>and</strong> seals.<br />

Analysis of the sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> in the sample informational text<br />

Whales are – Indicates the sentence will be a fact <strong>and</strong> a definition.<br />

They have – The pronoun ’they’ indicates more information about whales.<br />

– The verb ’have’ indicates information about some characteristic.<br />

Many whales – Indicates specific information about particular species.<br />

However, some – Indicates some contrasting information.<br />

Sample blank informational text<br />

The following blank text has been provided to further demonstrate that the same sentence starters<br />

can be used to generate similar types of predictable information.<br />

Horses are<br />

They have<br />

Many horses<br />

However,<br />

Sample descriptive text<br />

My gr<strong>and</strong>father is a wise old man <strong>and</strong> everyone loves him.<br />

He has lots of wrinkles on his face <strong>and</strong> his arms are very brown.<br />

Many gr<strong>and</strong>fathers like to sit around <strong>and</strong> rest a lot.<br />

However, mine loves working hard all day in his garden <strong>and</strong> helping others.<br />

The similar sentences starters used in this text can generate similar types of predictable information<br />

<strong>and</strong> a similar analysis can be applied.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

31


Matching sentence starters<br />

1. Read each sentence beginning, particularly the first words, think very carefully, then<br />

choose the best ending from the box <strong>and</strong> write it.<br />

• we thought there was no way he would wear such a dirty old tracksuit to school.<br />

• we both made a decision to protect the boy who was being bullied by walking home<br />

with him.<br />

• we could go to the football game instead <strong>and</strong> support our school team.<br />

• we were punished <strong>and</strong> we had to pick up rubbish at lunchtime.<br />

• we wanted to play with went off by themselves <strong>and</strong> said we couldn’t join them.<br />

• we also helped Dad with the gardening.<br />

(a) At lunchtime, the boys<br />

(b) Why did he do that,<br />

(c) As a consequence,<br />

(d) In addition to this,<br />

(e) Similarly,<br />

(f) On the other h<strong>and</strong>,<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

32<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012


How does it end?<br />

Read the sentence beginning <strong>and</strong> tick the ending you think is the best match.<br />

1. As a result of this, ...<br />

(a) it was a wet <strong>and</strong> stormy day <strong>and</strong> I needed an umbrella.<br />

(b) my gr<strong>and</strong>father enjoys gardening <strong>and</strong> he grows lots of vegetables.<br />

(c) I’m a bit scared <strong>and</strong> I don’t walk to school by myself anymore.<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

2. Some time later, ...<br />

(a) it will not surprise me when I can see better with my new glasses.<br />

(b) we kicked another goal <strong>and</strong> won the game.<br />

(c) my brother helps me with my homework project.<br />

3. To begin with, ...<br />

(a) there were only five of us who wanted to play.<br />

(b) we finished eating our meal before six o’clock.<br />

(c) we had to get out of the pool, get dressed <strong>and</strong> go home.<br />

4. Additionally, ...<br />

(a) we all worked hard to clean up our local park.<br />

(b) I would like you to know I have reported this matter to the police.<br />

(c) his skateboard is so old that it’s very difficult to ride.<br />

5. When ...<br />

(a) has that milk been put back in the refrigerator?<br />

(b) do you think will be elected school captain this year?<br />

(c) do you estimate this project will be completed?<br />

6. In conclusion, ...<br />

(a) I would like to thank all the people who have been so helpful.<br />

(b) the next event will be the most challenging.<br />

(c) I would like to welcome everyone to this meeting.<br />

7. On the other h<strong>and</strong>, ...<br />

(a) all of the students remembered to wear their sports uniforms.<br />

(b) if it’s raining we will have to cancel the event.<br />

(c) cyber bullying is a problem we also need to look at.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

33


Using sentence starters<br />

1. Choose a time marker sentence starter <strong>and</strong> use it at the beginning of an interesting<br />

sentence.<br />

At first … Eventually … Meanwhile … At the beginning …<br />

2. Choose a sentence starter that will tell the reader that this sentence is providing<br />

additional information about something. Think about what information could have<br />

been in the sentence before yours, then write your sentence.<br />

In addition … Another way to … Furthermore … In fact …<br />

3. Write a sentence starting with one of the sentence starters telling the reader that<br />

something similar is being compared with what was in the previous sentence.<br />

In a similar way … Even if … In other words … At the same time …<br />

4. These sentence starters tell the reader that the information in it is different from what<br />

was in the sentence before it.<br />

On the other h<strong>and</strong> … Despite this … Nevertheless … However …<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

34<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012


What’s the next sentence?<br />

1. Read the text <strong>and</strong> write the next sentence using the sentence starter.<br />

(a) The tired, dusty men had been trudging over the rough barren country for almost<br />

a week. At last, …<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

(b) Aboriginal people cared for the l<strong>and</strong> on which they lived <strong>and</strong> they were concerned<br />

about conserving it for future generations. Similarly, …<br />

(c) It is considered to be particularly important that Australian students start to learn<br />

an Asian language while they are at school. Consequently, …<br />

(d) Our team trains hard every week, so we’ve been playing really well as a team <strong>and</strong><br />

we’ve won most of our games. On the other h<strong>and</strong>, …<br />

(e) If you want to play cricket at lunchtime you will need to leave this area <strong>and</strong> go<br />

down to the oval where hard cricket balls can’t hurt other students <strong>and</strong> where<br />

there aren’t any windows to break. In other words, …<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

35


What came before this?<br />

• Read each sentence <strong>and</strong> underline the<br />

sentence starter.<br />

• Think about what could have been<br />

in the sentence before it <strong>and</strong> write a<br />

suitable sentence in the space above it.<br />

1.<br />

2.<br />

3.<br />

4.<br />

However, I know that if I don’t go to the dentist <strong>and</strong> have my teeth checked every six<br />

months, I could end up with serious problems with them.<br />

Following that, the other boys in the class decided to wear their bike helmets all the<br />

time <strong>and</strong> to make sure they were done up correctly.<br />

In fact, it’s not only a disgrace, but I also think you should both be punished <strong>and</strong> I hope<br />

you have learnt a lesson <strong>and</strong> never do anything like that again.<br />

To conclude, I believe I have provided enough information to persuade you that<br />

building a playground so close to a busy road is not what our local government should<br />

be doing.<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

36<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012


Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Making a good start<br />

It is important each sentence you write starts well. This is even more important when a<br />

sentence is the first one in a paragraph. These sentences are usually the topic sentence.<br />

They tell the main idea of the paragraph.<br />

1. (a) Read the paragraph, underline the topic sentence <strong>and</strong> circle the sentence starter in<br />

each of the sentences.<br />

(b) Read the sentence starters in the box below. Improve the paragraph by choosing a<br />

better one to write above some of those you circled.<br />

Bison calves These gigantic mammals Recently, In the past,<br />

A decision was made These young animals But by 1902 However,<br />

Bison are the largest l<strong>and</strong> mammals in North America. Bison are also known by their<br />

less formal name of buffalo. There were 30–60 million of these animals roaming the<br />

Great Plains in large herds. In 1902 the bison population had been dramatically<br />

reduced by hunters. In Yellowstone National Park there were only 23 bison left.<br />

They decided to place them under the protection of the US Army <strong>and</strong> there are now<br />

about 3000 to 4000 of them free to w<strong>and</strong>er through this huge park. Babies are born<br />

in April–May, which is spring. They are vulnerable to attacks<br />

from wolves <strong>and</strong> grizzly bears, their natural predators. A little<br />

while ago some wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone,<br />

but this is not expected to affect bison numbers a great deal.<br />

But the situation will be carefully monitored.<br />

2. (a) Read the paragraph <strong>and</strong> underline each sentence starter.<br />

(b) Write the paragraph on a separate page using better sentence starters to replace<br />

some of those you underlined.<br />

After school on Wednesdays I go to swimming training. My mum has to pick me up<br />

from school as soon as it finishes. Then she drives me to the pool. I get changed as<br />

quickly as I can. Then I have to find my coach. Then he tells me which lane I have to swim<br />

in. Then I get in the pool <strong>and</strong> start my training program.<br />

Then my coach watches me <strong>and</strong> tells me what I could be<br />

doing better. Then I finish, have a shower <strong>and</strong> get changed<br />

again. I have to wait outside for Mum. Then we hurry home<br />

so I can have dinner. Then I have homework to do.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

37


<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives<br />

prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for<br />

prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Assessment<br />

checklist<br />

Student Name<br />

Identifi es the starting<br />

point of a sentence<br />

<strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>s its<br />

importance<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong>s that<br />

a sentence starter<br />

is predictive of the<br />

sentence <strong>and</strong> the<br />

message in the text<br />

Matches sentence<br />

<strong>beginnings</strong> with<br />

most likely ending<br />

Uses sentence<br />

starters to<br />

predict text<br />

Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />

38


<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives<br />

prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for<br />

prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Interrelated<br />

English<br />

links<br />

Below is a list of links within the <strong>Language</strong> str<strong>and</strong>, Literature str<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Literacy str<strong>and</strong> of English that are covered within the activities provided with the<br />

content description above:<br />

E1. Identifying sentence <strong>beginnings</strong> <strong>and</strong> observing how they are used to signal what sentences are about.<br />

Using this underst<strong>and</strong>ing to match sentence beginning <strong>and</strong> endings.<br />

• Navigate <strong>and</strong> read texts for specifi c purposes applying appropriate text processing strategies, for example predicting <strong>and</strong> confi rming, monitoring<br />

meaning, skimming <strong>and</strong> scanning (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1702)<br />

• Use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating <strong>and</strong> linking ideas from a variety of print <strong>and</strong> digital sources (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1703)<br />

• Develop a h<strong>and</strong>writing style that is becoming legible, fl uent <strong>and</strong> automatic (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1706)<br />

E2. Making predictions from sentence starters <strong>and</strong> using this information to complete sentences.<br />

• Underst<strong>and</strong> the use of vocabulary to express greater precision of meaning, <strong>and</strong> know that words can have different meaning in different contexts<br />

(<strong>ACE</strong>LA1512)<br />

• Underst<strong>and</strong> how to use banks of known words, as well as word origins, prefi xes <strong>and</strong> suffi xes, to learn <strong>and</strong> spell new words (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1513)<br />

• Navigate <strong>and</strong> read texts for specifi c purposes applying appropriate text processing strategies, for example predicting <strong>and</strong> confi rming, monitoring<br />

meaning, skimming <strong>and</strong> scanning (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1702)<br />

• Use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating <strong>and</strong> linking ideas from a variety of print <strong>and</strong> digital sources (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1703)<br />

• Reread <strong>and</strong> edit student’s own <strong>and</strong> others’ work using agreed criteria for text structure <strong>and</strong> language features (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1705)<br />

• Develop a h<strong>and</strong>writing style that is becoming legible, fl uent <strong>and</strong> automatic (<strong>ACE</strong>LY1706)<br />

The above links are reproduced with permission from ACARA.<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Modes, capabilities <strong>and</strong> priorities covered by the<br />

activities in this content description<br />

<strong>Language</strong> modes General capabilities<br />

Listening Literacy ✔<br />

Speaking<br />

Reading ✔<br />

Viewing<br />

Numeracy<br />

Information <strong>and</strong> communication<br />

technology (ICT) capability<br />

Critical <strong>and</strong> creative thinking<br />

Writing ✔ Personal <strong>and</strong> social capability<br />

Ethical behaviour<br />

Intercultural underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

Cross-curriculum priorities<br />

Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>er histories <strong>and</strong> cultures<br />

Asia <strong>and</strong> Australia’s engagement in Asia<br />

Sustainability<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

39


<strong>Text</strong> structure<br />

<strong>and</strong> organisation<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong> that the starting point of a sentence gives<br />

prominence to the message in the text <strong>and</strong> allows for<br />

prediction of how the text will unfold (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1505)<br />

© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012<br />

Answers<br />

Matching sentence starters .............................page 32<br />

1. (a) At lunchtime, the boys we wanted to play with went off by<br />

themselves <strong>and</strong> said we couldn’t join them.<br />

(b) Why did he do that, we thought there was no way he would wear<br />

such a dirty old tracksuit to school.<br />

(c) As a consequence, we were punished <strong>and</strong> we had to pick up<br />

rubbish at lunchtime.<br />

(d) In addition to this, we also helped Dad with the gardening.<br />

(e) Similarly, we both made a decision to protect the boy who was<br />

being bullied by walking home with him.<br />

(f) On the other h<strong>and</strong>, we could go to the football game instead <strong>and</strong><br />

support our school team.<br />

How does it end? .............................................page 33<br />

1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (b)<br />

5. (c) 6. (a) 7. (b)<br />

Using sentence starters ...................................page 34<br />

1.–4. Teacher check<br />

What’s the next sentence? ..............................page 35<br />

1. (a)–(e) Teacher check<br />

What came before this? ..................................page 36<br />

1. <strong>Sentence</strong> starter: However, <strong>Sentence</strong>: Teacher check<br />

2. <strong>Sentence</strong> starter: Following that, <strong>Sentence</strong>: Teacher check<br />

3. <strong>Sentence</strong> starter: In fact, <strong>Sentence</strong>: Teacher check<br />

4. <strong>Sentence</strong> starter: To conclude, <strong>Sentence</strong>: Teacher check<br />

Making a good start ........................................page 37<br />

1. (a) Bison are the largest l<strong>and</strong> mammals in North America.<br />

Bison, There were, In 1902, In Yellowstone National Park,<br />

They decided, Babies, They are, A little while ago, But<br />

(b) Bison are the largest l<strong>and</strong> mammals in North America. These<br />

gigantic mammals are also known by their less formal name of<br />

buffalo. In the past, 30–60 million of these animals roamed the<br />

Great Plains in large herds. But by 1902, the bison population had<br />

been dramatically reduced by hunters. In Yellowstone National Park<br />

there were only 23 bison left. A decision was made to place them<br />

under the protection of the US Army <strong>and</strong> there are now about 3000<br />

to 4000 of them free to w<strong>and</strong>er through this huge park. Bison<br />

calves are born in April–May, which is spring. These young animals<br />

are vulnerable to attacks from wolves <strong>and</strong> grizzly bears, their<br />

natural predators. Recently, some wolves were reintroduced into<br />

Yellowstone, but this is not expected to affect their numbers a great<br />

deal. However, the situation will be carefully monitored.<br />

2. (a) After school, My mum, Then she, I get, Then I, Then he, Then I, Then<br />

my coach, Then I, I have to, Then we, Then I<br />

(b) Teacher check<br />

Time marker sentence starters may include:<br />

First, Finally, Once, At last, Meanwhile, When, Eventually, Later,<br />

Soon, As soon as, Sometimes, An hour later, Immediately, Next,<br />

During<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricpublications.com.au Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: <strong>Text</strong> structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 5)<br />

83

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