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Welcome to Linking Words! – Greeting and topic introduction – What are linking words? – Words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘because’ that join sentences – Why use linking words? – They make our stories and essays flow well – Examples of linking words – ‘First’, ‘next’, ‘then’, ‘finally’ show order in a story | Begin the class by warmly welcoming the students and introducing the topic of linking words. Explain that linking words, also known as transition words, are like bridges between thoughts; they help connect sentences and paragraphs, making our writing more coherent and easier to follow. Emphasize the importance of these words in making writing smooth and clear. Provide examples of linking words and how they can be used to show time order in a story or to compare and contrast ideas. Encourage students to think of linking words as a tool to make their writing more interesting and organized.

Linking Words: Building Bridges in Sentences – Learn about conjunctions – Conjunctions join words: ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’ – Discover transitions – Transitions move us between ideas: ‘first’, ‘next’, ‘then’ – Explore prepositions – Prepositions show position or time: ‘on’, ‘under’, ‘before’ – See how they link ideas – They make sentences flow smoothly, like puzzle pieces fitting together | This slide introduces students to the concept of linking words, which are essential components of sentence structure that help to connect ideas and clarify relationships. Conjunctions are used to join words or groups of words. Transitions help readers move from one idea to another, showing sequence or contrast. Prepositions are used to indicate location or time. Use simple sentences to illustrate each type, such as ‘I like apples and oranges,’ ‘First, we will read a book, then we will write a summary,’ and ‘The cat is under the table.’ Encourage students to practice using these linking words in their own sentences to see how they help ideas to flow more naturally.

Choosing the Best Transition Words – Transitions link ideas together – They’re like bridges in a story – Pick transitions by idea relationship – Words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘because’ show different connections – Examples: Which transition fits best? – ‘I was hungry, ____ I ate a sandwich.’ What word connects these ideas? – Practice makes perfect | This slide introduces the concept of transition words, which are crucial for creating a smooth flow in writing. Explain that transitions help the reader understand how ideas connect, whether they are similar, contrasting, or cause-and-effect. Provide clear examples and encourage students to think about the relationship between the ideas they want to connect. Use simple sentences and familiar scenarios to help them grasp the concept. During the class, engage students with interactive activities where they choose appropriate transition words for given sentences. This will help them understand the practical use of transitions and improve their writing skills.

Practice with Transitions: Interactive Activity – Fill-in-the-blank sentence activity – Suggest transitions for sentences – Think of words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’ to complete the sentences – Discuss appropriateness of transitions – Why does your word fit? Does it make sense in the sentence? – Understand how transitions connect ideas – Transitions are like bridges between thoughts | This slide introduces an interactive classroom activity focused on understanding and using transition words effectively. Begin with sentences on the board that have missing transition words. Invite students to suggest appropriate transitions to complete each sentence. After a student suggests a word, discuss as a class why the chosen transition is suitable, considering how it connects the ideas before and after the gap. Emphasize that transitions help make our sentences flow smoothly, like bridges that connect one thought to the next. Encourage participation from all students and provide positive feedback to ensure a supportive learning environment.

Let’s Write a Story Together! – Group activity: collaborative story writing – Each student adds a sentence – Think of how your sentence can connect to the story – Use transition words for connection – Words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’ help link your ideas – Be creative with different transitions – Try using ‘because’, ‘although’, or ‘after’ for variety | This class activity is designed to foster teamwork and understanding of transition words in writing. Each student will contribute to a group story by adding one sentence, ensuring they use a transition word to connect their idea to the previous sentence. This will help them see how transitions can guide the flow of a narrative. Encourage them to be creative and use a variety of transitions. For the teacher: prepare a list of transition words to help students if they get stuck, and consider starting the story to give them a jumping-off point. Possible transitions include ‘first’, ‘next’, ‘then’, ‘finally’, etc. Monitor the activity to ensure each student participates and that the story remains coherent.

Your Turn to Write: Using Transitions – Write a short paragraph – Use the prompt provided – ‘Describe your perfect day’ or ‘Explain how to make a sandwich’ – Include different transitions – Examples: ‘first’, ‘then’, ‘next’, ‘finally’ – Connect your ideas smoothly | This slide introduces an individual writing activity aimed at practicing the use of transition words. Students are to write a short paragraph based on a prompt, ensuring they use various transition words to connect their ideas. Prompts like ‘Describe your perfect day’ or ‘Explain how to make a sandwich’ are simple and relatable, making it easier for third graders to think creatively. Remind students of the different types of transitions (time, comparison, addition, conclusion) and encourage them to use these in their paragraphs. This activity will help solidify their understanding of how transition words function to make writing flow better. For the teacher: Have a list of transition words available for students to reference, and consider providing examples of how to use them in a sentence. After writing, allow students to share their paragraphs with the class or in small groups to build confidence and public speaking skills.

Sharing Our Work: Transitions in Writing – Students share their paragraphs – Discuss transitions and flow – How do transitions connect ideas? – Provide positive feedback – Highlight what’s done well – Offer gentle corrections – Guide on improving transitions | This slide is for a class activity where students will engage in sharing the paragraphs they’ve written, focusing on the use of transition words. Encourage students to listen and think about how each transition word helps to connect ideas and make the paragraph flow smoothly. As they share, provide positive feedback on their efforts, emphasizing the correct use of transitions. When necessary, offer gentle corrections to help them improve. This activity aims to build their confidence in using transitions and to foster a supportive learning environment where students can learn from each other.

Wrapping Up: Linking Words & Homework – Review of linking words – Homework: Write a story – Create a tale using words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’, ‘because’, ‘then’. – Use 5 transition words – Words like ‘first’, ‘next’, ‘after that’, ‘finally’ can show order. – Share your story next class | As we conclude today’s lesson, remind the students of the importance of transition words in making stories flow. For homework, they should write a short story that includes at least five different transition words to practice their new skills. Encourage creativity and the use of various transitions to connect ideas. Make sure they understand that they will be sharing their stories with the class in the next session, which will help them with public speaking and give them a chance to showcase their understanding of linking words.