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.
Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 4.2.5.1 · organizing ideas clearly when writing to inform or explain
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- The topic sentence tells what the whole paragraph is about.
- Every detail should fit the topic. Take out a sentence that doesn’t belong.
- 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 Minnesota
In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, 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.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Ravi left the gate open. What is a likely EFFECT?
- The dog could get out of the yard.
- It would start to rain.
- The grass would grow faster.
- Ravi's shoes would come untied.
The dog could get out of the yard.
Hint: Think about what an open gate lets happen.
Question 2
Put the sentences in order to make a paragraph.
- Then, cut small shapes along the edges.
- A paper snowflake is a fun winter craft.
- Finally, unfold the paper to see your snowflake.
- Next, fold the triangle in half two more times.
- First, fold a square of paper in half to make a triangle.
A paper snowflake is a fun winter craft. → First, fold a square of paper in half to make a triangle. → Next, fold the triangle in half two more times. → Then, cut small shapes along the edges. → Finally, unfold the paper to see your snowflake.
Hint: Start with the topic sentence that tells what the paragraph is about. Then follow the clue words: First, Next, Then, Finally.
Question 3
Which transition best fills the blank?
We forgot to water our plant for two weeks.
___, its leaves turned brown and droopy.
- First
- As a result
- However
- For example
As a result
Hint: The droopy leaves happened BECAUSE nobody watered the plant. Which words show an effect?
Question 4
Which transition word best fills the blank?
Jay practiced his song every day.
___, he still felt nervous before the concert.
- Next
- However
- For example
- As a result
However
Hint: You'd expect practicing to make Jay calm, but he still felt nervous. That's a contrast.
Question 5
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.
- The library opens at nine o'clock.
- Mysteries keep readers guessing.
- Books are made of paper.
- Readers enjoy many different kinds of books.
Readers enjoy many different kinds of books.
Hint: A topic sentence tells the main idea of the WHOLE paragraph. It shouldn't be just one detail, and it must be on topic.
Question 6
What is the CAUSE in this sentence?
The puppy chewed the shoe because it was teething.
- The puppy was teething.
- The puppy chewed the shoe.
- The shoe was brand new.
- The puppy was hungry.
The puppy was teething.
Hint: Ask: WHY did the puppy chew the shoe? Look after the word “because”.