Cover lesson · Expressive Arts · Year 6 · Intermediate

Linking ideas in a review of a dance show

LNF: Literacy → Writing → Connectives and syntax

Name: Class: Date:

Cover teacher: you need no subject knowledge

What this practises: using connectives to join ideas into longer sentences, starting sentences in different ways, and organising a review of a performance into paragraphs. Pupils improve an invented pupil’s choppy review of a school dance show.

Print: this sheet, one per pupil, and the stimulus sheet “The Four Seasons dance show”, one between two. No computers are needed.

Run: 5 min read Jac’s draft aloud in a flat, robotic voice so pupils hear how choppy it is, then ask how to make it flow · 8 min Step 1 · 12 min Step 2 · 8 min Step 3 · 20 min Step 4 · 5 min Step 5. Total 58 minutes.

Collect: this sheet. Step 4 is the main piece of writing. A secure review uses at least 6 different connectives from at least 3 groups, includes at least one sentence that starts with Although, When or Because followed by a comma, and is in two paragraphs. Step 1 answers: adding: also, as well as, furthermore; contrasting: however, although, whereas, but; cause and effect: because, so, as a result; time: after, meanwhile, finally, when.

What you are doing

Jac went to his school’s dance show and wrote a review for the school newsletter. His ideas are good, but his sentences are short and choppy. You will help him link his ideas so the review flows.

Step 1: sort the connectives

Write each connective in the right group.

also · however · because · after · as well as · although · so · meanwhile · furthermore · whereas · as a result · finally · but · when

Adding an ideaContrasting (showing a difference)Cause and effectTime

Step 2: join the sentences

Join each pair into one sentence using a connective from the group shown. Try not to use and or but more than once.

  1. The summer dance was fast. It was fun. (adding)
  2. The summer dance was exciting. Some dancers bumped into each other. (contrasting)
  3. The drums were very loud. The audience jumped. (cause and effect)
  4. The drums stopped. The snow began to fall. (time)
  5. The autumn dance was slow and gentle. The winter dance was loud and powerful. (contrasting)
  6. The paper leaves swirled. The dancers spun round. (cause and effect)

Step 3: start in a different way

Rewrite each sentence so it starts with the part in bold. Put a comma after that part.

  1. Everyone stood up and clapped at the end of the show.
  2. The hall went completely silent after the last drum beat.
  3. The spring dancers uncurled slowly like seeds growing.

Step 4: rewrite Jac’s review

Use Jac’s notes and draft on the stimulus sheet. Write his review again in two paragraphs: paragraph 1 about Spring and Summer, paragraph 2 about Autumn, Winter and the ending.

Step 5: check your connectives

Underline every connective in your review. Tick each group you used.

Adding ☐   Contrasting ☐   Cause and effect ☐   Time ☐   Number of different connectives: ______

Step by step

  1. 5 min Listen to Jac’s draft.
  2. 8 min Step 1: sort the connectives.
  3. 12 min Step 2: join the sentences.
  4. 8 min Step 3: start sentences in different ways.
  5. 20 min Step 4: rewrite the review.
  6. 5 min Step 5: check your connectives.

Success criteria

If you finish early