English · Grade 7

Explain Complex Ideas

Learners study an original model explanation of how a canal lock lifts a boat using only water and gravity, then explain a complex process of their own. They write introductions that preview what follows, organize steps and causes clearly, make difficult ideas accessible with definitions, analogies, examples and a graphic, create cohesion with transitions and precise vocabulary, and conclude in a way that follows from the explanation.

4 lessons
About 105 minutes
Explaining complex ideas check: 9 questions
Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, put in order and sort into groups

See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

Introduce a complex topic, preview what will follow, and organize the explanation with a fitting strategy such as process or cause and effect.
Make complex ideas accessible with definitions, analogies (and their limits), examples and graphics.
Use transitions, consistent key terms and precise domain-specific vocabulary to create cohesion.
Maintain a formal style and write a conclusion that follows from and supports the explanation.
Draft a clear explanation of a complex process for a non-expert reader.

Lessons

Preview and organize 5 steps2 practiceabout 26 min
Make the complex accessible 5 steps3 practiceabout 26 min
Cohesion and precise vocabulary 5 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
Conclude and draft 4 steps3 practiceabout 28 min
Explaining complex ideas check 9 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

Memory LanternsFlip glowing lanterns to find pairs that belong together.
Editor's DeskGrab the red pen: find every mistake, then fix it.
Reading DetectiveRead the case file, crack the question, and prove it with evidence.

Guide for grown-ups

How to improve reading comprehension: strategies that work for kidsA guide for parents and teachers · 7 min read