You will learn
- Say what an explanation does.
- Plan steps in order.
- Use sequence words and clear verbs.
- Write a short explanation.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- An explanation tells how or why.
- Say what it is about first.
- Put steps in order.
- Use clear words.
Words to know
a text that tells how or why
one part of a process
a series of steps
first, next, then, finally
1. Discover: How a seed grows
A seed grows into a plant in a few steps. First, the seed is put in soil. Next, it gets water and warmth. Then, a tiny root grows down and a shoot grows up. Finally, leaves open and the plant grows tall.
Think: What are the steps?
2. Understand: Explaining
Idea 1: What is it?
An explanation tells how or why something happens. It describes a process.
Idea 2: Steps in order
Put each step in order using sequence words: first, next, then, finally.
Idea 3: Clear words
Use exact words and present tense: the seed gets water, a root grows.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Topic
What does the explanation tell?
- Title.
Answer: how a seed grows
Example 2 (We do it together): Order
What step comes first?
- Beginning.
Answer: The seed is put in soil.
Example 3 (You try): Tense
Use present tense: The seed (grow/grows).
Show the steps and answer
- Present.
Answer: grows
Did you know?
Instructions and explanations are everywhere: recipes, manuals and science books.
Why this matters
Clear explanations help others understand how things work.
4. Explore: Explain it
Explain a simple process.
- Choose a process.
- List steps.
- Add sequence words.
- Write it clearly.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can explain.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- This explains how ___.
- First, ___.
- Next, ___.
- Finally, ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is an explanation?
how or why
Question 2. Which tense?
present
Question 3. Name a sequence word.
first
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A text that tells how or why is an ___.
- One part of a process is a ___.
- A series of steps is a ___.
- ___ shows order.
- We write in ___ tense.
Level 2: Grow
- Write the first step of making tea.
- Order: water, plant, seed.
- Write an explanation title.
Level 3: Stretch
- Why steps in order?
- Why clear words?
- What if steps are mixed?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Explain how to make a sandwich in four steps.
Show a sample answer
four steps
Another one. Write a short explanation of how rain falls.
Show a sample answer
an explanation
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Check order.
Fix: Use exact words.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say what an explanation does.
- I can plan steps.
- I can use sequence words.
- I can write an explanation.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Explain how or why.
- Put steps in order.
- Use sequence words.
- Use present tense.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Revising writing. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is an explanation? [1 mark]
- Name two sequence words. [2 marks]
- Put in order: leaves open, seed in soil, water. [2 marks]
- Which tense do we use? [1 mark]
- Explain how to write an explanation. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a text that tells how or why [1]
- first [1]; next/then/finally [1]
- seed in soil [1]; water; leaves open [1]
- present [1]
- topic [1]; steps in order with sequence words [1]; clear words [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- A text that tells how or why is an ___.
- One part of a process is a ___.
- A series of steps is a ___.
- Words showing order:
- We write in ___ tense.
- True or false: steps in order.
- True or false: mix the steps.
- Order: water, seed, plant.
- Write a title.
- Write the first step of a recipe.
Homework
Explain how to do something at home.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A text that tells how or why is an ___. | explanation | 1 |
| 2. One part of a process is a ___. | step | 1 |
| 3. A series of steps is a ___. | process | 1 |
| 4. Words showing order: | sequence words | 1 |
| 5. We write in ___ tense. | present | 1 |
| 6. True or false: steps in order. | true | 1 |
| 7. True or false: mix the steps. | false | 1 |
| 8. Order: water, seed, plant. | seed, water, plant | 1 |
| 9. Write a title. | How a Seed Grows | 1 |
| 10. Write the first step of a recipe. | First, wash your hands. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 explanation; 2 step; 3 process; 4 Sequence words; 5 present. Level 2: 1 First, boil water.; 2 seed, water, plant; 3 How a Plant Grows. Level 3: 1 easy to follow; 2 understand; 3 confusing.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say what an explanation does | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Plan steps in order | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use sequence words and clear verbs | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Write a short explanation | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Steps out of order. Check order.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use pictures for each step.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child writes simple explanations. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Ask how things work.
- Read their explanation.
- Praise clear steps.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say what an explanation does; plan steps in order; use sequence words and clear verbs; write a short explanation.
Prerequisite knowledge. Personal narratives.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Model explaining.
Explanation (10 min). Teach steps and words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise.
Independent activity (10 min). Share.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Are my steps in order?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use pictures. Extension. Add a diagram.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Steps out of order. Check order.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use pictures for each step. Enrichment. Add a diagram. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 2 » Writing; Grade 2 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core W.2.2 and W.2.5; Cambridge Primary English Stage 2 (writing). These sources informed the lesson.