Making choices between pen or pencil
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a pen or pencil for a task.
Key learning 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.
- 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.
Keywords
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 misconception
Children may conclude that they can't make any mistakes with pens.
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.
Teacher tip
Throughout other lessons, encourage children to think back to this lesson. What do they need to consider for the given task? Should they use pen or pencil?
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these will increase the speed of your handwriting?
Q2.You are less likely to make mistakes when you write faster.
Q3.Match the join with its correct description.
from the baseline to the x-height line
from the baseline to the ascender line
from the x-height line to the x-height line
from the x-height line to the ascender line
Q4.Which cursive letter joins are being used in this letter string?
Q5.Which cursive letter joins are being used in this letter string?
Q6.Which cursive letter joins are being used in this letter string?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Making choices between pen or pencil, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Making choices between pen or pencil, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Building handwriting fluency through speed, choices and writing dialogue unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.