Fact Bridges Slides Informational Writing Grade 3 • 30-Minute Focus
Word Power Series
Building Ideas Together
Fact Bridges
Connecting Facts with Also, Another, and In Addition
Discover how smooth transitions connect your facts so your writing sounds like an expert book!
Goal: Connect two related facts using transition bridges
Slide 1 of 8
The Writer's Challenge Slide 2 of 8
Why Do We Need Fact Bridges?
Bumpy & Choppy
"Cheetahs run super fast across the plains. Cheetahs have sharp claws to grip the dirt."
Reader says: "Stop and go! Sounds like a robot reciting facts."
Smooth & Connected
"Cheetahs run super fast across the plains. In addition, they have sharp claws to grip the dirt."
Reader says: "Smooth sailing! The facts flow naturally together."
Transitions show readers: "Hold on, I have another great fact to add!"
Toolbox Intro Slide 3 of 8
Meet Our 3 Add-More Bridges
Use these words when you want to stack more facts about the same topic!
1
also
Sneaks right into the middle or start of a sentence like a quick zip-line.
"They also swim fast."
2
another
Pairs up with a noun like feature, fact, way, or reason .
"Another cool fact is..."
3
in addition
A sturdy heavy-duty bridge that begins a sentence with a proud comma!
"In addition, they hunt."
All three do the same job: they link bonus information to your main topic!
Bridge 1 The Quick Connector: "also"
Slide 4 of 8
Animal Fact File: Sea Otters
Fact 1
Sea otters use heavy flat rocks to crack open tough clam shells.
Fact 2 to Add
They wrap themselves in giant kelp so they do not drift away during naps.
Put Them Across the Bridge:
"Sea otters use rocks to open shells. They also wrap themselves in kelp while sleeping."
Pro Tip: Also loves to sit right next to action verbs (run, eat, use, sleep).
Key Move: Smoothly joins two actions Watch where "also" lands
Bridge 2 The Partner Tag: "another"
Slide 5 of 8
Animal Fact File: Honeybees
Fact 1
Honeybees carry golden pollen from flower to flower so plants grow.
Fact 2 to Add
Honeybees perform a special waggle dance to guide hive mates to food.
Put Them Across the Bridge:
"Honeybees pollinate bright flowers. Another amazing talent is their special waggle dance!"
Pro Tip: Follow another with a noun: another trait, another reason, another fact .
Key Move: Introduces a brand-new trait Pairs with a noun
Bridge 3 The Super Bridge: "in addition"
Slide 6 of 8
Science Fact File: Mars Rovers
Fact 1
Mars rovers shoot sharp color photos of dusty red craters.
Fact 2 to Add
Rovers drill tiny rock samples to hunt for ancient traces of water.
Put Them Across the Bridge:
"Mars rovers snap clear photos of red craters. In addition, they drill rock samples for water."
Punctuation Patrol: When starting with In addition , put a comma (,) right after it!
Key Move: Adds a formal new point Always add the comma
Guided Challenge Turn & Talk (2 Minutes)
Slide 7 of 8
Build This Bridge with Your Partner!
Target Animal: Chameleons
Fact A
Chameleons change skin color to show their mood.
Fact B
Their eyes can look in two different directions at once.
Choose one bridge to combine these facts out loud:
...also...
Another [trait] is...
In addition, ...
Partner A says Fact 1 • Partner B builds the bridge with Fact 2!
Independent Mission Slide 8 of 8
Ready for Your Practice Sheet!
Grab your pencil and open your Fact Linkers Worksheet . You are the structural engineer of these sentences!
Part 1
Spot and circle the bridge words in the animal passage.
Part 2
Fill in blanks with the best fitting transition word.
Part 3
Engineer your own smooth sentences linking two facts.
Time: 10 Minutes Ask for help if your bridge wobbles!
Fact Linkers Worksheet Name:
Date:
Class:
Grade 3 Writing
Fact Linkers Worksheet Building Sturdy Sentences
Use also , another , and in addition to connect related facts together.
Page 1 of 2
Your Fact-Bridge Toolkit
1. also Hugs the verb inside a sentence to add an extra action or trait.
2. another Pairs with a noun (like another fact, another way, another reason ).
3. in addition Starts a sentence proudly and is followed by a comma (, ).
1 Bridge Detectives: Spot the Transitions
Find all 3 words
Read the informational passage below. Circle the three transition words or phrases that connect new facts about the platypus.
The duck-billed platypus is one of Earth's most unusual creatures. It has waterproof fur to stay dry underwater while hunting for freshwater shrimp. The platypus also uses its rubbery bill to sense tiny electrical signals from moving insects. Another fascinating feature is the venomous spur located on the male platypus's back ankle. In addition, mother platypuses lay soft leathery eggs instead of giving birth to live babies!
What is the main job of these three bridge words in the passage?
A To tell what time events happened
B To add more cool facts about the animal
C To explain why the animal is sad
2 Bridge Builders: Fill in the Best Link
Bank: also Another In addition,
Choose the best transition from the word bank to complete each desert camel fact. Use each choice once.
Camels have wide, padded feet so they do not sink into the soft desert sand. helpful tool is their double layer of extra-long eyelashes that block blowing dust.
A camel stores energy-rich fat inside its humps. It can drink up to thirty gallons of water in just ten minutes!
Dromedary camels survive scorching desert heat during summer days. they stay cozy during freezing desert nights thanks to their thick woolly coats.
Turn over to Page 2 to combine your own sentences! Fact Bridges • Grade 3
Fact Linkers • Part 3 & 4
Page 2 of 2
3 Sentence Engineers: Combine the Facts
Combine the two facts into smooth writing.
Read the two facts. Rewrite them into connected sentences using the
Fact Bridges Teacher Guide TEACHER GUIDE Grade 3 Informational Writing • 30-Minute Lesson
Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.C Page 1 of 2
Fact Bridges Lesson Plan & Pacing Guide
Focus: Linking related facts within informative texts using also , another , and in addition .
Pacing: 30 Mins Total Direct + Guided + Indep.
Learning Objectives
Identify transition words (also , another , in addition ) in a short informational text.
Select the grammatically appropriate transition word to link two facts.
Combine choppy sentences into cohesive informational statements.
Materials & Preparation
Fact Bridges Slides: Display on interactive board/projector.Fact Linkers Worksheet: 1 double-sided copy per student.Pencils and yellow highlighters for transition spotting.
30-Minute Step-by-Step Facilitation Plan
00–05 min
Hook & The Choppy Sentence Trap (Slides 1–2)
Read the two cheetah sentences aloud with a robotic, jarring voice. Ask: "Does this sound like a nature documentary or a broken robot?" Introduce the concept of a Fact Bridge that lets readers walk smoothly from one idea to the next.
05–15 min
Direct Instruction: The Big Three Bridges (Slides 3–6)
Teach the unique placement role of each word: 1) also: hugs verbs inside sentences (They also swim ). 2) another: pairs with nouns (Another trait is... ). 3) in addition: formal starter followed by a mandatory comma (In addition, they hunt... ). Have students practice clapping when they hear the comma pause.
15–20 min
Guided Practice: Turn & Talk Bridge Build (Slide 7)
Display the chameleon facts. Students turn to a partner: Partner A reads Fact 1, Partner B links Fact 2 with one of the three transition bridges. Cold-call two pairs to share their variations out loud.
20–27 min
Independent Practice: Fact Linkers Worksheet (Slide 8)
Distribute student sheets. Students complete Part 1 (platypus spotting), Part 2 (camel fill-in), and Part 3 (penguin/elephant sentence combining). Teacher circulates to check comma placement.
27–30 min
Wrap-Up & 30-Second Bridge Check
Robot Busters Worksheet Name:
Date:
Class:
Writer's Toolbelt
Robot Busters Worksheet Informational Bridges
Facts don't happen in a timeline! Ditch First, Next, Then, Last and use purposeful bridges.
Page 1 of 2
Your 4 Informational Bridge Types
First, Next, Then, Last ➔ Real Fact Bridges
In addition, Furthermore, Also, Another key feature is...
★ Giving Examples
For example, For instance, In particular, To illustrate...
⚡ Cause & Effect
As a result, Because of this, Therefore, Consequently...
✔ Wrap-Up
Clearly, In conclusion, Overall, As you can see...
1 Tool Selection: Match the Job
Matching
Match each writing purpose to the transition bridge that accomplishes that job.
A. Share a specific animal to prove a point.
B. Show what happened because of cold weather.
C. Wrap up your paragraph with a final big truth.
D. Add a second piece of evidence to your topic.
"As a result, ..." (Cause & Effect)
"In addition, ..." (Adding Evidence)
"For example, ..." (Giving Examples)
"Clearly, ..." (Concluding / Wrap-Up)
2 Robot Buster Lab: Upgrade the Sentences
Rewrite with Commas
Each sentence uses a robot timeline word. Rewrite the sentence using the recommended bridge. Remember your comma!
First, polar bears have textured footpads to grip slippery Arctic ice.
Use: Adding Evidence
Upgraded Sentence:
Next, desert cacti store water inside spongy stems so they survive droughts.
Use: Cause & Effect
Upgraded Sentence:
Last, monarch butterflies fly over three thousand miles just to stay warm.
Use: Giving Examples
Upgraded Sentence:
Turn over to Page 2 for the Full Paragraph Overhaul! Nonfiction Writer's Toolbelt • Grade 3
Robot Busters • Part 3 & 4
Page 2 of 2
3 Paragraph Overhaul: Save the Sea Turtle Report!
4 Robot Words Trapped!
A student wrote this report using timeline words. Help them upgrade each sentence into a real informational bridge from your toolbelt!
Choppy Robot Draft (Needs Upgrade):
"Sea turtles are ocean survival champions. First, leatherbacks have thick leathery shells to dive deep. Next, they have special paddle-shaped flippers for swimming. Then, ocean plastics look like tasty jellyfish to them. Last, we must keep beaches clean to protect these ancient reptiles."
