English Friday 25th June - Can I identify the features of an explanation text?
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English Friday 25 June th Can I identify the features of an explanation text?
Once inside the cave, the children were fascinated to see the colour and textures, stalactites and stalagmites and perhaps even fossils. Ask pupils if they know what a fossil is and show some images
Show the model explanation text in the BBC link, describing how fossils are made and read it together (see resources): https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z2ym2p3 Identify features of an explanation (Feature keys) and discuss how they add to the effectiveness of the writing: • An opening statement at the start (A fossil is…The process by which a fossil is formed is called fossilisation) • Steps explained in logical order • Technical vocabulary (in bold on the example in resources) • Words and phrases to make sequential connections including subordinating conjunctions and adverbs of time to begin paragraphs, ‘After an animal dies…. As more layers of sediment build up on top…The bones then start…. • Paragraphs to organise ideas Pupils to find features independently on the second explanation on the text ‘How are Stalactites and Stalagmites Formed?’ in the resources.
Fossilisation A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a dead organism. The process by which a fossil is formed is called fossilisation. It’s very rare for living things to become fossilised. Usually after most animals die their bodies just rot away and nothing is left behind. However, under certain special conditions, a fossil can form. After an animal dies, the soft parts of its body decompose leaving the hard parts, like the skeleton, behind. This becomes buried by small particles of rock called sediment. As more layers of sediment build up on top, the sediment around the skeleton begins to compact and turn to rock. The bones then start to be dissolved by water seeping through the rock. Minerals in the water replace the bone, leaving a rock replica of the original bone called a fossil.
How are Stalactites and Stalagmites Formed? Both stalactites and stalagmites are pointy formations found in limestone caves: One points up and the other points down. But which is which? One way to remember is that stalactite has a “c” in it as in “ceiling” and stalagmite has a “g” in it as in “ground.” Stalactites and stalagmites are also sometimes called dripstone and this is a clue to how they are made. Firstly, water flows down through the ground and into a cave. As it travels, it dissolves a mineral called calcite and carries it through cracks in the ceiling. The dripping water leaves behind small traces of calcite and then the tiny pieces slowly build up on the ceiling until a stalactite finally takes shape. The stalactite will then be hanging down like an icicle. Water from the end of the stalactite drips off and leaves more calcite in a pile on the cave floor and soon a cone-like stalagmite will form. That is why stalactites and stalagmites are usually found in pairs. Sometimes they grow together to make a pillar or column.
Model the first line describing the cave from the top down to the bottom. e.g. The candlelight was flickering on the roof of the cave and water was dripping down the wall. Pupils continue to write the paragraph describing their experience. Describe the cave from and then start a new paragraph to introduce Blue John dancing. The candlelight was flickering on the roof of the cave and water was dripping down the wall. I watched shadows dancing around the ledges where rocks were jagged and damp. Blue John flung out his arms and beamed a wide smile.
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