The bell rang, and class was over. Mia packed her backpack. She walked to the bus. Mia got on the bus and waved goodbye.

The correct order is: The bell rang, and class was over. Mia packed her backpack. She walked to the bus. Mia got on the bus and waved goodbye.

The bell rang, and class was over.

Mia got on the bus and waved goodbye.

Ethan put on his helmet. He climbed onto his bike. He pedaled down the street. Ethan parked his bike at the park.

The correct order is: Ethan put on his helmet. He climbed onto his bike. He pedaled down the street. Ethan parked his bike at the park.

Ethan parked his bike at the park.

Lila cracked an egg into a bowl. She whisked the egg with milk. She poured the mix into the pan. Lila ate her scrambled eggs for breakfast.

The correct order is: Lila cracked an egg into a bowl. She whisked the egg with milk. She poured the mix into the pan. Lila ate her scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Lila cracked an egg into a bowl.

She poured the mix into the pan.

Lila ate her scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Jayden bought a ticket at the theater. He found his seat inside. The lights dimmed and the movie began. Jayden clapped when the movie ended.

The correct order is: Jayden bought a ticket at the theater. He found his seat inside. The lights dimmed and the movie began. Jayden clapped when the movie ended.

Jayden bought a ticket at the theater.

The lights dimmed and the movie began.

Jayden clapped when the movie ended.

Ava filled the pot with soil. She planted a small flower. She watered the flower gently. Ava smiled at her growing plant.

The correct order is: Ava filled the pot with soil. She planted a small flower. She watered the flower gently. Ava smiled at her growing plant.

Ava smiled at her growing plant.

Noah put on his swimsuit. He jumped into the pool. He swam to the other side. Noah dried off with a towel.

The correct order is: Noah put on his swimsuit. He jumped into the pool. He swam to the other side. Noah dried off with a towel.

Sofia mixed flour and sugar in a bowl. She added eggs and milk. She poured the batter into a pan. The cake baked in the oven.

The correct order is: Sofia mixed flour and sugar in a bowl. She added eggs and milk. She poured the batter into a pan. The cake baked in the oven.

Sofia mixed flour and sugar in a bowl.

She poured the batter into a pan.

Leo tied his shoelaces. He stood up from the bench. He ran onto the soccer field. Leo kicked the ball to his teammate.

The correct order is: Leo tied his shoelaces. He stood up from the bench. He ran onto the soccer field. Leo kicked the ball to his teammate.

Leo kicked the ball to his teammate.

Emma opened her book. She read the first chapter. She marked her page with a bookmark. Emma closed the book and went to bed.

The correct order is: Emma opened her book. She read the first chapter. She marked her page with a bookmark. Emma closed the book and went to bed.

She marked her page with a bookmark.

Emma closed the book and went to bed.

Olivia put on her coat. She opened the front door. She walked outside into the snow. Olivia built a snowman in the yard.

The correct order is: Olivia put on her coat. She opened the front door. She walked outside into the snow. Olivia built a snowman in the yard.

She walked outside into the snow.

Olivia built a snowman in the yard.

Diego set up the chessboard. He placed all the pieces. He played a game with his friend. They shook hands when the game ended.

The correct order is: Diego set up the chessboard. He placed all the pieces. He played a game with his friend. They shook hands when the game ended.

He played a game with his friend.

They shook hands when the game ended.

Liam grabbed his backpack. He walked to the bus stop. He waited until the bus arrived. Liam got on the bus.

The correct order is: Liam grabbed his backpack. He walked to the bus stop. He waited until the bus arrived. Liam got on the bus.

He waited until the bus arrived.

Hana washed her hands. She put bread in the toaster. She spread butter on the toast. Hana ate her snack.

The correct order is: Hana washed her hands. She put bread in the toaster. She spread butter on the toast. Hana ate her snack.

She spread butter on the toast.

Aria packed her soccer ball. She put on her cleats. She walked to the field. Aria started practice with her team.

The correct order is: Aria packed her soccer ball. She put on her cleats. She walked to the field. Aria started practice with her team.

Aria started practice with her team.

Kai washed the apples. He sliced them carefully. He put the slices in a bowl. Kai shared the apples with his friends.

The correct order is: Kai washed the apples. He sliced them carefully. He put the slices in a bowl. Kai shared the apples with his friends.

Kai shared the apples with his friends.

Fourth Grade ELA Writing Strategies: Organize Sentences in Order

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What does it mean to organize writing?

Organizing writing means putting ideas and sentences in a clear order so readers can easily understand the meaning.

Example:

Unorganized: “We ate dessert. I went to school. Then we had lunch.”
Organized: “I went to school. Then we had lunch. After that, we ate dessert.”

Note

Good writing starts with a beginning, moves through the middle, and ends with a conclusion.

How do we order sentences?

Sentences should follow a logical order. Writers use order to make events and ideas flow smoothly.

Example:

Step 1: “First, I put on my shoes.”
Step 2: “Next, I walked outside.”
Step 3: “Finally, I played with my friends.”

Note

Look for time words such as first, next, then, and finally to help organize sentences.

Using sequence words

Sequence words help connect sentences and show the order of events.

Examples of sequence words:

First
Next
Then
After
Finally

Note

Using sequence words helps the reader follow your ideas step by step.

Beginning, middle, and end

Strong writing has three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. Each part plays an important role.

Example:

Beginning: “Yesterday was my birthday.”
Middle: “I opened presents and played games with my friends.”
End: “We finished the day by eating cake together.”

Note

The beginning introduces the topic, the middle gives details, and the end wraps everything up.

Checking your writing

After writing, reread your sentences. Make sure they are in order and easy to follow.

Checklist:

Does my story start with a beginning?
Do my sentences follow in order?
Did I finish with a clear ending?

Note

Always read your writing out loud. If it sounds confusing, try changing the order of the sentences.

Go to the practice →

S.1 Put the sentences in order to make sense

What does it mean to organize writing?

How do we order sentences?

Using sequence words

Beginning, middle, and end

Checking your writing