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Year 4

Writing the first section of an explanation text about the digestive system

I can write detailed paragraphs to explain what happens when food enters the body.

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New
New
Year 4

Writing the first section of an explanation text about the digestive system

I can write detailed paragraphs to explain what happens when food enters the body.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The main paragraphs in an explanation text tell the reader how the process of digestion is carried out.
  2. Subject-specific, scientific vocabulary ensures the reader learns accurate information.
  3. Fronted adverbials of order and place organise the paragraphs in a clear, chronological way.
  4. Subordinating conjunctions are used to begin an adverbial clause.
  5. An adverbial clause can be joined with a main clause to form an adverbial complex sentence.

Common misconception

Pupils might include information about food travelling into the intestines.

This section explains the process of food entering the body, moving through the oesophagus and to the stomach.

Keywords

  • Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject

  • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

  • Subordinating conjunction - a word that starts a subordinate clause

  • Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction

  • Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause

Ensure that pupils are confident with the details of the digestive system before starting the writing process. Use the internet and non-fiction texts to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the adjective in the following sentence? 'Nutrients absorb into the bloodstream in the small intestine.'
nutrients
absorb
bloodstream
Correct answer: small
intestine
Q2.
Identify the nouns in the following sentence: 'Stomach acids and enzymes break down food particles.'
Correct answer: acids
Correct answer: enzymes
break
and
Correct answer: particles
Q3.
Match the key vocabulary to the definition.
Correct Answer:stomach,the organ that digests food using acid and enzymes

the organ that digests food using acid and enzymes

Correct Answer:oesophogus,the tube carrying food from the throat to the stomach

the tube carrying food from the throat to the stomach

Correct Answer:digestion,the process of the body breaking down food for nutrients

the process of the body breaking down food for nutrients

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold: 'The throwt directs food into the digestive system from the mouth.'
throte
Correct answer: throat
throwt
Q5.
Match the sentences with the appropriate subheadings.
Correct Answer:In the mouth,In the mouth, food starts breaking down through chewing.

In the mouth, food starts breaking down through chewing.

Correct Answer:In the intestines,Nutrients absorb into the blood in the small intestine.

Nutrients absorb into the blood in the small intestine.

Correct Answer:In the stomach,Stomach acids and enzymes break down food particles.

Stomach acids and enzymes break down food particles.

Q6.
Put these sentences in order from the first step of digestion to the last.
1 - First, food enters the mouth where it's chewed and mixed with saliva.
2 - Next, the food travels down the oesophagus into the stomach.
3 - Then, in the stomach, acids and enzymes break down the food.
4 - Finally, the nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are examples of an ordering fronted adverbial?
Correct answer: Next,
While the walls of the oesophagus contract,
Correct answer: Finally,
When the food reaches the stomach,
Correct answer: First,
Q2.
Select the body parts that are involved in the digestive process when food first enters the body.
Correct answer: throat
Correct answer: osophagus
heart
Correct answer: mouth
Correct answer: stomach
Q3.
Which of these are examples of fronted adverbials of place?
Correct answer: Inside the mouth,
While the food is being chewed,
Correct answer: At the back of the throat,
Correct answer: Inside the stomach,
First,
Q4.
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:subordinating conjunction,a word that starts an adverbial clause

a word that starts an adverbial clause

Correct Answer:adverbial clause,a type of subordinate clause that starts with a conjunction

a type of subordinate clause that starts with a conjunction

Correct Answer:adverbial complex sentence,a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial clause

a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial clause

Q5.
Select the subordinating conjunctions.
Correct answer: as
and
Correct answer: while
but
Correct answer: after
Q6.
Which of the following are examples of adverbial clauses?
and it is chewed until it is soft
Correct answer: After the food reaches the stomach,
but that is not the end of the process
Correct answer: As the walls of the oesophagus contract and relax,