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      Writing the first section of an explanation text about how bees make honey

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use my plan to write the section about how honey bees collect nectar outside the beehive.

      Key learning points

      1. The steps in the honey-making process are written in chronological order.
      2. Ordering fronted adverbials indicate the order of the steps in a process.
      3. Using the full range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
      4. Explanation texts include subject-specific vocabulary that is related to the subject of the text.

      Keywords

      • Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged

      • Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction

      • Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause

      • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

      Common misconception

      Pupils might include steps of the process that take place inside the hive.

      This section explains the first two steps of the honey-making process that take place outside the hive.

      Teacher tip

      Ensure the pupils are confident with the details of each step before starting the writing process. You can review the learning from Lesson 2, which clearly sequences the whole honey-making process.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a plan?

      an answer sheet
      lined paper
      Correct answer: a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text

      Q2.
      Match the term to its definition.

      Correct Answer:clause,a group of words that contains a verb
      Correct Answer:verb,a doing or being word
      Correct Answer:fronted adverbial,a sentence starter followed by a comma
      Correct Answer:phrase,a group of words that does not contain a verb

      Q3.
      What kind of text is an explanation text?

      fiction
      narrative
      Correct answer: non-fiction
      poem

      Q4.
      Match the type of fronted adverbial to its example.

      Correct Answer:viewpoint fronted adverbial,Interestingly,
      Correct Answer:formal fronted adverbial,In addition,
      Correct Answer:ordering fronted adverbial,Next,
      Correct Answer:fronted adverbial of cause,As a result,

      Q5.
      Facts in the introduction of an explanation text are general. In the later sections, the facts become...

      vague.
      short.
      Correct answer: detailed and specific.
      more general.

      Q6.
      Which of the following are examples of co-ordinating conjunctions?

      because
      Correct answer: and
      when
      Correct answer: or
      Correct answer: but

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      When we write, we always try to do which of these things?

      Do not say a sentence before we write it.
      Only showcase one sentence type.
      Correct answer: Plan and say each sentence before we write it.

      Q2.
      Which of these sentences would be found in an explanation text about the honey-making process?

      As quick as a flash, the bee leaves the hive.
      Correct answer: Next, the worker bee returns to the hive.
      The worker bee is an awesome creature!

      Q3.
      Order these ordering fronted adverbials as they would appear in an explanation text.

      1 - First,
      2 - Next,
      3 - Finally,

      Q4.
      Which is the first step of the honey-making process?

      The bee collects nectar with its tongue.
      The enzymes mix with the nectar.
      Correct answer: The bee leaves the hive searching for flowers.
      The nectar travels into the honey stomach.

      Q5.
      Which of these adjectives are appropriate to describe nectar in an explanation text?

      yummy
      Correct answer: sticky
      Correct answer: transparent
      scrumptious

      Q6.
      Fill in the gap: A complex sentence is formed of a main clause and at least one ___________ clause.

      Correct Answer: subordinate, Subordinate

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing the first section of an explanation text about how bees make honey, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...