Explanation Texts

What do we need to be able to do to make our podcasts effective?

How Stuff Works


Generic text structure


The structure of an explanation text is often (but not always):

• a general statement to introduce the topic, for example, in the autumn some birds migrate

• a series of logical steps explaining how or why something occurs, for example because hours of daylight shorten…

• steps continue until the final state is produced or the explanation is complete


Language features
The language features of an explanation text are often (but not always):

• written in simple present tense, for example, many birds fly south

• use connectives that signal time, for example, then, next, several months later

• use causal connectives, for example because, so, this causes


Knowledge for the writer

• decide whether diagrams, charts, illustrations or a flow chart would help to explain

• use a title that shows what you are writing about

• using how or why in the title helps. Try to make the title intrigue the reader, for example, Why do sloths hang about?

• use the first paragraph to introduce your subject to the reader

• organise the writing and illustrations to explain: what you need, how it works, why it works (cause and effect), when and where it works, and what it is used for

• add in extra, interesting information

• try to end by relating the subject to the reader

• if you use specialised terminology, a glossary may be needed

• interest the reader with exclamation, for example Beware – whirlwinds can kill! Or use questions: Did you know that...?

• draw the reader in, for example strange as it may seem...; not many people know that...,etc

• re-read your explanation, pretending to know nothing about the subject – is it clear?

• recognise that explanation texts can be adapted or combined with other text types depending on the audience and purpose

Bitesize

Let's use this BBC site for our guided read this week:

Bitesize

Keeping Healthy

Click on the fruity link to play the game, then take the food quiz on the Excel spreadsheet. Print it out and we'll mark it. Use sheet three to make your own quiz and we'll display the best ones in class.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/fit/nutrition_center.html

For an extension, go to the BBC site and get a head start on the next lesson:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/keeping_healthy.shtml

Earth, Sun and Moon

Earth, Sun and Moon,
Please learn it soon!

http://www.earthsunmoon.co.uk/

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/Science/night.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/earth_sun_moon_fs.shtml

This virtual tour through the solar system is the business:

http://www.scienceyear.com/planet10/solar_preload.html

These interacive engineering sites are always good:

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/astroadventure/astroadventurelink.htm

Helping Plants Grow Well

Do the do with this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/activities/plants_grow.shtml

Edward Jenner

Here's a good site about Edward Jenner, the father of modern vaccinations:

http://www.jennermuseum.com/

Absolutely Shocking Electrical Circuits

Here are some activities based on our current (Ha, ha! Get it?) science topic. I haven't had time to play them all so have a go and let me know which one you think is best.

http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/changing_circuits.shtml

http://www.hyperstaffs.info/work/physics/child/index.html

http://www.channel4learning.net/sites/essentials/science/physical/changingcircuits_bi.jsp

http://thefusebox.ce-electricuk.com/page/index.cfm

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=207/consultants_resources%2Fscience%2FcircuitWorld%2Findex.html

http://www.eon-uk.com/distribution/369.aspx

http://www.edfenergy.com/powerup/

Shadows Help

I think a few of you had difficulty with your shadow experiment last week. Here's an activity set up in the same way. See what happens when you move the light:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/activities/light_shadows.shtml