Primary Chinese | Closing an Explanatory Text and Self-Checking (for tutors)

Primary Chinese | Closing an Explanatory Text and Self-Checking (for tutors) | Three closings, five checks

2026-11-04

Tutor lesson-prep guides · Primary Chinese

Pupils stop after four paragraphs and close with “so I like it”, because nobody told them what a closing must deliver. This lesson gives three closings and five checks to run before handing in.

Objectives — Pupils can: (1) name the 3 closings (reuse a number, show a gap, give a direction); (2) write a three-sentence closing instead of a feeling; (3) run the 5-point check and change two places; (4) finish 3 closings and self-check them in 18 minutes (40 per cent of the lesson).

01 Prerequisites (3-minute check)

If any of these fails, fix it before the lesson starts.

Skill	Quick check	Pass mark
Opening	What must an explanatory opening state?	The object and the aspects covered
Body	What does each body paragraph do?	One feature or one aspect
Numbers	How do numbers support explanation?	A specific figure plus its meaning

02 Lesson flow (45 minutes)

Time	Stage	Tutor does	Student does
0-6 min	Opening: three weak closings	Writes three “so I like it” endings and asks what is missing	Names what is missing
6-10 min	Script 1: reuse a number	Pulls one number from the body and adds meaning	Adds one number line
10-14 min	Script 2: show a gap	Contrasts with a similar object	Writes one contrast
14-18 min	Script 3: give a direction	Names one thing a reader can do or watch	Writes one direction
18-36 min	Timed writing (18 min)	3 closings at 6 minutes each	Closing plus five checks
36-40 min	Peer check	Partners tick the five points	Reports one point that failed
40-45 min	Exit check	Three oral questions	Rewrites the closing on the spot

03 Teaching script (read it out)

Scene 1: What a closing must deliver

Write three closings: “so I like it”, “hope you like it”, “that is my introduction”. Ask what the reader learned from each; the answer is nothing.
A closing is a delivery, not a stop: it must say what is worth remembering. Put the word deliver on the board and use it for every closing question afterwards.

Ask: what is each of these three closings failing to deliver?

Scene 2: Three closings, three models

Reuse a number: pull one figure from the body and add its meaning (“each compartment holds one kind of thing, so nothing needs hunting”). Show a gap: contrast with a similar object in one line. Give a direction: name one thing a reader can do or should watch.
All three stop at three sentences; past three they are a new paragraph, not a closing.

Warn: a direction is an action, not a slogan; “everyone should be green” is not a direction.

Scene 3: Five checks, then one repair

List the 5 checks: opening names the object; one idea per paragraph; paragraphs are linked; at least two numbers or examples; the closing delivers. Tick each, then repair one place only.
Model a check on a pupil text that fails three points and repair the one that hurts reading most, usually the second. Repairing all five convinces the pupil that everything is wrong and stops him writing.

Ask: which single point do you most want to repair, and why that one?

04 Question types and worked steps

Type	Example	Steps	Answer
Write a closing	Write three closing sentences for a four-paragraph text	Choose one closing strategy	Three sentences reusing a number
Identify	Which closing does this paragraph use?	Look for numbers, contrasts, directions	Showing a gap
Repair	Turn “so I like it” into a delivery	Ask what the reader now knows	Rewritten as a number closing
Self-check	Run the five checks on your own text	Tick each, repair the worst	One linking repair

Sanity check (teach this): Check: 3 closings modelled at 4 minutes each gives 12 minutes; timed writing 18 minutes (3 texts at 6 minutes) is 40 per cent of the lesson; opening 6, peer check 4 and exit 5 minutes total 45. Each text carries a three-sentence closing plus 5 ticks, which fits 6 minutes.

05 Independent practice (3 questions)

Question	Answer	What to watch
Three-sentence closing	Close a text by reusing one number	The closing delivers something
Direction not slogan	Write one concrete action	No “everyone should” phrasing
One repair	Run five checks, repair only the worst	No wholesale rewrite

06 Common mistakes and what to say

Mistake	Student writes	Say this
Closing is a feeling	“So I find it very useful”	Useful where? Point back to a number or a contrast.
Closing adds a new feature	The closing introduces a third feature	A closing recycles old material, never new.
Direction becomes slogan	“Everyone must treasure it”	Name one thing a reader can do tomorrow.
Repairing all five	Comes back with a wholly new text	One repair, read it, then decide whether a second is needed.

07 Homework (paper, section and question numbers)

Primary 5 Chinese paper — Writing task: add a closing and self-check
Primary 6 Chinese paper — Writing task: close by showing a gap
Primary Chinese chapter index — All chapters

08 Exit check (last 5 minutes)

Question	Answer	Decision
Name the three closings.	Reuse a number, show a gap, give a direction	Any missing closing is retaught
May a closing introduce a new feature?	No	Wrong answer returns to recycling only
How many checks are repaired at once?	One, two at most	Repairing all five means starting again

09 Tutor FAQ

Must a closing be three sentences?

Three is safest: one recycles the data, one gives the meaning, one closes the text. Two can work; one rarely delivers.

What if the pupil has no numbers?

Use the gap closing. A comparison still delivers, and pupils should never invent figures.

Can the five checks be a sticker?

Yes, on the first page of the writing book. Self-ticking lasts longer than a spoken reminder.

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A TutorZone lesson-prep guide. Written by the TutorZone team; questions and lesson flow are original and are not taken from any school or publisher material.