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4th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 9 of 13

Paragraph Power

Topic sentences and transitions

What your child practices

Choosing topic and concluding sentences, finding the sentence that doesn't belong, using transition words, identifying cause and effect, and putting sentences in order.

Maine Learning Results learning standard: Writing 3; Writing 2 · topic sentences, details and transitions

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The topic sentence tells what the whole paragraph is about.
  2. Every detail should fit the topic. Take out a sentence that doesn’t belong.
  3. Transitions link ideas: for example (adds one), however (shows a change), as a result (shows an effect).

Example: Maya studied every night, so she did well on the test. What is the effect? The cause is why it happened: she studied. The effect is what happened because of it. Answer: Maya did well on the test.

Paragraph Power in Maine

In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 9 of 13 in 4th grade English Language Arts, after Sound-Alikes and before Grammar Gears.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Maine Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    What is the CAUSE in this sentence?

    The puppy chewed the shoe because it was teething.

    • The shoe was brand new.
    • The puppy was teething.
    • The puppy chewed the shoe.
    • The puppy was hungry.

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    Our community garden is a busy place in summer. Neighbors grow tomatoes, beans and squash. Winter is my favorite season because I love to skate. Children help water the plants each morning.

    • Winter is my favorite season because I love to skate.
    • Neighbors grow tomatoes, beans and squash.
    • Our community garden is a busy place in summer.
    • Children help water the plants each morning.

  3. Question 3

    Which is the best topic sentence for these details?

    Some people like adventure stories full of exciting action.

    Others enjoy funny books that make them laugh out loud.

    Many readers love mysteries that keep them guessing until the end.

    • Readers enjoy many different kinds of books.
    • Books are made of paper.
    • Mysteries keep readers guessing.
    • The library opens at nine o'clock.

  4. Question 4

    Which transition word best fills the blank?

    Jay practiced his song every day.

    ___, he still felt nervous before the concert.

    • As a result
    • For example
    • Next
    • However

  5. Question 5

    Ravi left the gate open. What is a likely EFFECT?

    • It would start to rain.
    • Ravi's shoes would come untied.
    • The dog could get out of the yard.
    • The grass would grow faster.

  6. Question 6

    Put the sentences in order to make a paragraph.

    • Then, Leo and his sister chased the kite across the field.
    • Next, a strong gust of wind pulled the string from his hand.
    • Last Saturday, Leo had an exciting day at the park.
    • First, he flew his new kite high above the trees.
    • Finally, they found it in a bush and carried it home.

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