Basic 3 · English Language

Directions, Fluent Reading, Opinion Paragraphs and Conjunctions

In this topic you will give and follow directions, read longer texts fluently, write a paragraph supporting an opinion and use conjunctions.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Give and respond to directions
Read long texts with pace, accuracy and expression
Write a paragraph supporting an opinion with reasons
Use conjunctions to join ideas

What you already know

Describing places and prepositions

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand: Oral Language
Sub-strand: Giving and Responding Directions
Indicator: B3.1.9.1.1 – Give and respond to commands instructions and directions

Introduction

Visitors often ask for directions. Clear directions help them find their way.

Giving Directions

"To get to the post office, go straight along this road. Turn left at the junction. Walk past the church. The post office is on your right, next to the bank."

Direction words

Word	Meaning
straight	without turning
turn left / right	change direction
past	go beyond
next to	beside
opposite	facing

A town map showing directions to the post office — Figure 1: Following directions Draw a map and write directions to your school.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

direction: Instructions on how to get somewhere.
junction: A place where roads meet.
opposite: Facing something.

Summary

Clear directions use straight, turn, past, next to and opposite.
We listen carefully when following directions.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. A place where roads meet is a…
- A. Junction
- B. Bank
- C. Bridge
- D. River
Show answer
Answer: JunctionThat is a junction.
2. "Opposite" means facing.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThat is its meaning.
3. The post office is ______ to the bank.
Show answer
Answer: nextNext to means beside.
4. Give directions from your classroom to the school gate.
Show answer
Answer: Answers will differ.Use direction words.

Lesson 2

Strand: Reading
Sub-strand: Fluency
Indicator: B3.2.9.1.1 – Read long texts with good pace accuracy and expression

Introduction

Fluent readers read long texts smoothly, correctly and with expression.

Reading Longer Texts Fluently

Fluency checklist

Skill	Check
pace	not too fast or slow
accuracy	every word correct
expression	voice shows feeling
phrasing	read groups of words together

Tip: Read the text silently first, then aloud.

New words

fluency: Reading smoothly and well.
phrasing: Reading groups of words together.
accuracy: Being correct.

Summary

Fluent reading needs pace, accuracy, expression and phrasing.
Practise reading aloud often.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Reading every word correctly is…
- A. Accuracy
- B. Pace
- C. Loudness
- D. Silence
Show answer
Answer: AccuracyThat is accuracy.
2. Reading silently first helps fluency.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueYou understand it first.
3. Reading smoothly and well is ______.
Show answer
Answer: fluencyThat is fluency.
4. Name two parts of fluent reading.
Show answer
Answer: Any two: pace, accuracy, expression, phrasing.These make fluent reading.

Lesson 3

Strand: Writing
Sub-strand: Argumentative Writing
Indicator: B3.4.13.1.1 – Write a short paragraph to support an opinion or claims with clear reasons

Introduction

An opinion paragraph says what you think and gives reasons.

Supporting an Opinion

Example: "I think every school should have a library. First, books help us learn new things. Second, reading improves our English. Finally, a library is a quiet place to study. That is why every school needs a library."

Opinion paragraph

Part	Example
opinion	I think every school should have a library.
reasons	First… Second… Finally…
conclusion	That is why every school needs a library.

New words

opinion: What you think.
reason: Why you think it.
conclusion: The ending that sums up.

Summary

State your opinion clearly.
Give reasons with first, second and finally.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. What comes first in an opinion paragraph?
- A. The opinion
- B. The conclusion
- C. A list of names
- D. A question only
Show answer
Answer: The opinionState it first.
2. Reasons support an opinion.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey explain why.
3. The ending that sums up is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: conclusionThat is the conclusion.
4. Write one reason why children should eat fruit.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. Fruits have vitamins that keep us healthy.A reason supports an opinion.

Lesson 4

Strand: Grammar Usage
Sub-strand: Using Simple and Compound Sentences
Indicator: B3.5.9.1.1 – Identify and use coordinating conjunctions to join similar ideas or contrasting ideas in sentences

Introduction

Conjunctions join words and ideas.

Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Conjunction	Use	Example
and	adds ideas	I like rice and beans.
but	shows contrast	I am tired but happy.
or	gives a choice	Do you want tea or milk?
so	shows result	It rained, so we stayed inside.

New words

conjunction: A joining word.
contrast: A difference.
result: What happens because of something.

Summary

And, but, or and so are conjunctions.
They join similar or contrasting ideas.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which conjunction shows contrast?
- A. but
- B. and
- C. or
- D. so
Show answer
Answer: butBut shows difference.
2. "Or" gives a choice.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTea or milk.
3. It rained, ______ we stayed inside. (so / or)
Show answer
Answer: soSo shows result.
4. Join with a conjunction: "I am small. I am strong."
Show answer
Answer: I am small but strong.But shows contrast.

Lesson 5

Strand: Extensive Reading
Sub-strand: Reading
Indicator: B3.6.1.1.1 – Read a variety of age and level- appropriate books and summarize them

Introduction

Today we read and summarise a longer story.

Reading and Summarising

"Abena wanted to win the school spelling competition. Every evening, she learnt ten new words with her mother. On the day of the competition, she was nervous, but she remembered her practice. She spelt every word correctly and won first prize, a big dictionary. Her mother was very proud."

Summary: Abena practised every day and won the spelling competition.

A girl receiving a dictionary as first prize at a spelling competition — Figure 2: Abena wins Draw a prize you would like to win.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

competition: A contest to find the best.
nervous: A little afraid.
dictionary: A book of words and their meanings.

Summary

Abena practised spelling every evening.
She won the competition and a dictionary.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. What did Abena win?
- A. A dictionary
- B. A bicycle
- C. Money
- D. A bag
Show answer
Answer: A dictionaryThe story says so.
2. Abena practised with her mother.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThe story says so.
3. A contest to find the best is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: competitionThat is a competition.
4. Write a one-sentence summary.
Show answer
Answer: Abena practised hard and won the spelling competition.Main points.

Homework

Write an opinion paragraph: "Why we should keep our school clean."