Paragraphs and Connecting Ideas (KS1–KS2)

Paragraphs group related sentences. Connect them with helpful openers so writing flows.

Learning objectives

Understand when to start a new paragraph.
Use openers and conjunctions to link ideas clearly.
Write a short paragraph that follows TEEL (Topic, Explain, Example, Link).

Success criteria

Pupils can identify the topic sentence in a short paragraph.
Produce one paragraph with a clear opener, detail and concluding link.

When to Start a New Paragraph

New topic or idea
New time or place
New character or speaker (in stories)
To add emphasis or break up long text

Useful Openers and Conjunctions

Time/Sequence

first, next, then, after that, finally

Addition/Contrast

and, also, however, but, although

Organising a Paragraph (TEEL)

Topic sentence – the main idea
Explain – add detail
Example/Evidence – a fact or example
Link – connect back to the topic or next point

Quick Checks

✓Does each paragraph have one clear main idea?
✓Have I used openers to connect ideas?
✓Is a new paragraph needed for a new time/place/topic?

Example Paragraph

Read this short paragraph. Can you find the topic sentence, one explain sentence and the example?

Topic: Our trip to the farm

We went to the farm on a sunny Tuesday. We saw sheep, cows and chickens, and the farmer let us feed the lambs. I felt excited when a lamb ate from my hand because it was very soft. In the afternoon we fed the chickens and collected eggs before heading home.

Practice Activity

Order these sentences to make a paragraph and write a short opener:

We had a picnic on the grass.
The sun was warm and the birds were singing.
After the games, we ate our sandwiches and drank juice.

Suggested order: The sun was warm..., We had a picnic..., After the games...

Mini-lesson Plan

Explain TEEL with a simple example (3 mins).
Model writing a paragraph on the board using TEEL (5 mins).
Guided practice: children write a short paragraph in pairs (10 mins).
Independent: write one paragraph about a favourite hobby (10–15 mins).