# Lesson 2: Use Strong Opening Sentences

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Writing with Structure

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## Objective

I can write strong opening sentences that clearly introduce the topic, set the tone, and guide the reader into my paragraph.

## Materials

- Pencil ✏️ and eraser
- Ruled paper or tablet
- Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Great openings can be a clear claim, a quick scene, a surprising fact, or a question—as long as they fit your topic.

## Mini-lesson — What makes an opening sentence strong?

1. Clear topic: The reader should instantly know what the paragraph is about.
2. Tone & focus: Choose words that match your purpose (inform, explain, tell a story, persuade).
3. Hook: Grab attention with a quick scene, a question, or a bold statement.
4. Stay relevant: The opening must lead naturally to the details that follow.
5. Avoid fillers: Skip “This paragraph is about…”—say the idea directly.

Examples (topic: helping at home) — “Every evening, I set the table so dinner starts on time.” / “Do tiny habits make a big difference? At home, they do.”

Video won’t be included when printing.

## Guided Practice — Trace on the Pad

Trace key words, then write three opening sentences for the topic “After-school activities”:

- Key words: topic, tone, hook, because
- Try three styles:
  1. Bold fact: Start with a short statement.
  2. Quick scene: Show a tiny moment.
  3. Question: Ask something that leads into your ideas.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Letter
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Build Strong Opening Sentences

Drag the chips into the slots to create clear, engaging opening sentences that fit the topic.

Every afternoon I help at home by setting the table.
Do tiny habits make a big difference at home ?
Practice turns hard skills into daily routines.
The gym doors swing open and the team rushes in to practice .
Good openings guide the reader into the main idea.
First I will explain why morning routines help the whole day.
Strong openings skip fillers and state the idea directly .
Today I will show how one small habit can change the afternoon .
What makes a sentence pull you in right away ?
Cold air rushed in as the bus doors opened at the park .
A focused opening keeps the paragraph on one idea .
Next I will compare two openings to see which one works better .

## Quick Check (15 questions)

#### 1) A strong opening should…

hide the topic until the end show the topic clearly start with a random joke

#### 2) Which is a hook?

This paragraph is about chores. I will write three sentences. Cold air rushed in as I opened the door.

#### 3) Which opening is strongest for “Helping at Home”?

Every evening, I set the table for my family. My favorite color is blue. This paragraph is about helping.

#### 4) The opening must…

include three details lead into the next sentences ask two questions

#### 5) Which avoids filler?

In this paragraph, I will talk about… The topic I chose is… Our class garden teaches patience.

#### 6) A question hook works best when…

the question leads to your details it’s unrelated but funny it reveals the closing sentence

#### 7) Which opening fits a how-to paragraph?

The clouds look fluffy today. First, gather your supplies on a clean table. Finally, we all clapped.

#### 8) Best opening for a story paragraph?

My paragraph will be about skating. Skating is a thing that happens. The wheels hummed as I rolled onto the ramp.

#### 9) Choose the clear topic opening.

Our class reads in the morning to start the day calm. Books are everywhere. I like sandwiches.

#### 10) An opening sentence should NOT…

match the topic wander off topic set the tone

#### 11) For a persuasive paragraph, a strong opening might…

make a clear claim tell the ending list five random facts

#### 12) Which sentence best leads to reasons?

There are many ideas. I will say some stuff. School clubs help students learn beyond the classroom.

#### 13) Which sentence needs revision?

After lunch, our class reads together. This paragraph is about reading time. After lunch, we read and talk about books.

#### 14) Good openings often use…

precise verbs random capitals extra exclamations!!!

#### 15) When revising your opening, you should…

add unrelated jokes remove the topic check that it matches the paragraph’s details

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Opening clearly introduces the topic Tone fits purpose (explain, tell, persuade) Opening leads into details that follow No filler phrases (“This paragraph is about…”)

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write openings that fit my topic 🙂 I need more practice with hooks 😅 It was tricky to match tone and purpose

#### I will practice…

Writing three opening styles for one topic Removing filler phrases Reading aloud to check focus
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