Transition Words and Phrases Task Cards: 24 Practice Paragraphs for Minilesson

Transition Words: This set of 24 task cards focuses on seven categories of transitional words or phrases that writers can use to improve the sentence fluency of a paragraph. They are designed to provide students with an opportunity to analyze sentences and determine which word best completes the paragraph.

All 24 task cards are set up the same way. The directions on each task card state: Which transition word or phrase best fits in the blank? Therefore, students will complete the following steps as they work through each task card:

1. They will read the entire paragraph and consider which type of transition word belongs in the blank.
2. They will look for context clues in the surrounding sentences and then read their three answer choices. Each answer choice lists a possible transitional word or phrase.
3. They select their answer and record it on their answer sheet.

The types of transition words highlighted in this resource include:

• addition (furthermore, in addition, moreover, also)
• contrast (conversely, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, however)
• comparison (likewise, similarly)
• consequence (as a result, consequently, hence, therefore, thus, for this reason, subsequently)
• emphasis (most significantly, most importantly, in particular, most of all, above all, obviously, clearly)
• illustration (for example, for instance, to illustrate)
• summary (all in all, in summary, in conclusion, to sum up, after all)

Many teachers report posting the task cards around the room to give their students an opportunity to get up and walk around the room. Others say that they use these as a whole class formative activity where they place a task card under their doc cam, and then have students write their chosen answer on whiteboards. Both activities provide an engaging alternative to a traditional worksheet activity!

********This resource is available in three formats:

1. Traditional Printables- Print the PDF and distribute paper task cards and recording sheets.
2. Easel Activity- Students can complete this activity on a device. Students read each passage and select the transition word or phrase that best fits in the blank. This has a multiple-choice format, and students push the button that displays their answer. No checking is necessary! When your students turn it in, you will see their score and the number of attempts they made on each card.
3. Easel Assessment- Students complete this self-grading quiz on a device, as well. After reading each passage, students select the correct word to fill in the blank from a list of three possible answer choices. With this option, the teacher chooses whether or not his or her students receive immediate feedback.

I encourage you to take a peek at the PREVIEW!!

If you would like to have a Google Slides and/or Google Forms version of this activity, click on these links to access the digital resource or the bundle.

Here's what teachers like you had to say about using these task cards with their students:

⭐️ Beth K. said, "This was a game changer for my students who were not using transitional words in their writing. Amazing resource and a fun activity as well."

⭐️ All the Books said, "This was the exact product I needed to help my kids take a closer look at the kind of transitions that would best work for their own stories."

⭐️ Sarah M. said, "My students have been struggling with using transitions and using them correctly. These task cards were perfect for practicing!"

⭐️ Purposeful Teaching and Learning said, "Great examples and made students think and analyze!"

Feel free to take a peek at some of my related resources! Just click on the links below!

Transitional Words and Phrases PowerPoint

Transitional Words and Phrases Flipbook

Transitional Words and Phrases Posters

Copyright by Deb Hanson

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www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Deb-Hanson

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