This Real Grammar KS2 resources pack provides everything that you need to learn how to create cohesion across texts by making links. Pupils will learn how a variety of devices can be used to create cohesion when writing. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to explore cohesive devices with pupils in year 6 or to revisit this area of learning.
The model text and writing text give pupils the opportunity to explore discursive writing, with pupils writing about topical issues provided. Alternatively, this could be linked to issues in your local area or a topic or book that you are currently studying.
Pupils will need to be familiar with paragraphs, pronouns, adverbials, conjunctions, prepositions, synonyms, word families, determiners and colons and semi-colons to join independent clauses. Real Grammar resource packs are available to revisit or teach all these areas if required.
A Year 5 Real Grammar resource pack is available to explore cohesion within paragraphs.
What is cohesion?
Cohesion refers to how a writer links different parts of a text together. It helps the reader understand main points and how they are linked and helps the writing flow. A range of cohesive devices can be used to create writing that is cohesive.
What are cohesive devices?
Cohesive devices are the structures, words or phrases that are used to connect ideas across a text.
Paragraphs
Paragraphs create cohesion by grouping sentences that are linked. This makes the writing easier to read and helps it to flow.
Pronouns
Pronouns are used to link back to nouns or noun phrases that have already been mentioned. They also help to avoid repetition when writing.
- There are many people who have tried camping and hated it!
Adverbials
These can be used to link paragraphs, showing contrasting views, where or when events take place or sequencing ideas and events. Fronted adverbials are often used.
- On camping holidays, children have freedom to explore the landscape.
- In contrast, some people do not enjoy having nature quite so close.
Conjunctions
Conjunctions can create cohesion by linking related sentences to create compound sentences. Subordinate conjunctions can be used to link ideas by showing cause and effect.
- The kit is expensive to purchase initially but is also often uncomfortable.
- Despite many sites having excellent shower blocks, many first-time campers hate having to used shared facilities.
Prepositions
A preposition shows the link between a noun or noun phrase and another pat of the sentence, creating cohesion.
Synonyms
Words with the same or similar meaning can be used to refer to the same thing, creating cohesion and also avoiding repetition.
- equipment/kit
- nature/landscape/outdoors
Related words and repetition
Words within the same word family can help to create cohesion when writing. Repeating words and phrases can also create cohesion, reminding the reader of key events or information.
Determiners
Determiners indicate which noun is being referred to, linking to an earlier sentence.
- … they are bringing their own accommodation.
Colons and semi-colons
These punctuation marks are used to show when two sentences are closely linked.
- The inside of the tent can become very dirty: especially in wet weather…
- There are only so many board games you can play as a family while under canvas as the rain hammers down; this is the time when social media is most missed.
What is included in this resource pack?
This pack is divided into five parts:
TEACH
This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce cohesive devices. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.
PRACTISE
An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.
REVISIT
A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.
APPLY
A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.
REVISE
Three SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.
Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks
Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.
How is this resource differentiated?
The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:
- Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
- Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
- Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.
SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.
What pupil-facing resources are included?
- TEACH
PPT slides; model text ‘‘Are camping holidays actually fun?’; discursive writing key phrases; cohesive devices word mat
- PRACTISE
Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets
- REVISIT
Game 1, game 2
- APPLY
Planning sheet, issues cards
- REVISE
PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets
Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.