Reading

CURRICULUM FOCUS

Reading:

This week in Reading, we are exploring a new type of nonfiction text - Explanation Texts.

VOCABULARY

Explanation Text - pieces of writing that explain something. They might tell you how or why something happens or give information on how to do something.

Time Connectives - language that shows a sequence in time. E.g.: first, next, then, after, finally, last.

ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING

Ask your child to tell you how flowers grow. Engage in a discussion around how a flower starts out, what it needs to help it to grow and what it turns into once it has fully grown. Encourage your child to use time connectives to sequence their explanation of the process. E.g.: first, next, then, after, finally, last.

See below for a written example of an Explanation Text explaining this process quite simply:

How do flowers grow?

Flowers are all around us, but do you know how they grow? Flowers start as a seed and grow to have petals, a stem, leaves and roots. 

First, a seed is planted in soil and given water and sunlight to help it grow.

Then, the seed grows roots and a stem.

Next, the leaves and a bud start to grow.

Last, the bud will open to show beautiful petals.