Writing a section on Portia spiders' hunting for a non-chronological report
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use my plan to write a detailed section about the hunting strategies of the Portia spider.
Key learning points
- A subheading signals to the reader what the section is about.
- A section about one feature of the report's subject contains specific facts and information to keep the reader engaged.
- Writers choose varied fronted adverbials and different sentence types to ensure the text flows for the reader.
- A section can be composed of one paragraph.
- Sentences should be said aloud before writing to ensure they make sense and read back once written to check for errors.
Keywords
Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
Subheading - a word, phrase or sentence used to introduce part of a text
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 may write their facts in an incoherent order.
Ensure pupils are following the order of the facts on their plans when writing full sentences.
Teacher tip
Use the accompanying Year 3 Grammar lessons to explain and teach the range of sentence types appropriate at Year 3 level.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the definition of a main clause?
Q2.Which of these is true about the Portia spider?
Q3.Finish this sentence. The Portia spider eats ....
Q4.Match the verb to the reason the Portia spider uses it.
to drop down behind its prey to surprise attack
to imitate a trapped spider to lure its prey
Q5.Match the main and subordinate clauses to the examples.
the Portia spider abseils behind its prey
so it can trick the other spider
Q6.Which formal fronted adverbial could work in this pair of sentences? The Portia spider hunts other spiders. _________, it cannot hunt humans.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select two things we always try to do when we write.
Q2.Which of these sentences is relevant to a section about the Portia spider's hunting?
Q3.What is the definition of a subheading?
Q4.Which of these is a subordinate clause?
Q5.Which main clause coherently follows this main clause to make a complete compound sentence? 'The Portia spider is a skilled hunter'
Q6.Which sentence could coherently follow this sentence? 'The Portia spider abseils down behind its unsuspecting prey.'
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing a section on Portia spiders' hunting for a non-chronological report, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing a section on Portia spiders' hunting for a non-chronological report, 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 The Portia Spider: non-chronological report unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.