Conclusion Starters Worksheet | Essential Grade 5-6 Writing

This Essential Grade 5-6 writing worksheet helps students master the art of ending an essay with clarity and purpose. By focusing on specific transition phrases, learners move beyond abrupt endings to create cohesive, professional-sounding conclusions. This resource ensures students can effectively signal the end of their writing while reinforcing the main ideas of their work.

At a Glance

• Grade: 5-6 · Subject: ELA Writing
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.E — Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information presented
• Skill Focus: Conclusion transition phrases
• Format: 3 pages · 9 tasks · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Writing workshop and essay drafting support
• Time: 20–30 minutes

What's Inside

This comprehensive 3-page PDF includes a curated reference box featuring five high-frequency conclusion starters. The worksheet is divided into three progressive sections: a selection task, a sentence-level application task, and a paragraph-level synthesis task. A full answer key is provided for the objective portions, making grading or self-correction efficient for busy educators.

Skill Progression and Scaffolding

• Guided Practice: Students begin with 5 fill-in-the-blank exercises where they select the most appropriate transition phrase from a provided word bank to complete pre-written sentences.
• Supported Practice: Learners read three distinct paragraphs and apply their knowledge by composing original concluding sentences that logically wrap up the provided topics.
• Independent Practice: The final task requires students to draft a complete 3-4 sentence paragraph about a personal hobby, independently integrating a strong conclusion starter.

Standards Alignment

The primary focus of this resource is `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.E`, which requires students to "provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented." It also supports `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.F` by helping students maintain a formal style. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this worksheet during the revision phase of a writing workshop to help students improve their current drafts. Alternatively, assign it as a formative assessment after a lesson on transition words to check for understanding. Teachers should observe if students can match the tone of the starter to the context. Expected completion time is 20 to 30 minutes.

Who It's For

This resource is designed for Grade 5 and Grade 6 students, but it is also highly effective for English Language Learners (ELLs) who need explicit vocabulary for academic writing. It pairs naturally with an anchor chart on transition words or a direct instruction lesson on the structure of an informative essay.

Transition words and concluding statements are critical for text cohesion. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), providing students with linguistic scaffolds like sentence starters allows them to focus on the cognitive load of synthesizing information rather than struggling with syntax. This worksheet aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.E by requiring students to provide a concluding statement that follows from and supports the information presented. Research from the NAEP indicates that students who effectively use transitional devices score significantly higher on writing assessments than those who rely on abrupt endings. By moving from identification to application, this resource ensures that Grade 5 and 6 learners internalize the mechanics of closure. This structured approach to writing instruction provides the necessary repetition for mastery in diverse classroom settings.