Grade: Kindergarten Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Explain Your Thinking Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: Craft+Structure ACT: Reading

Quick Explanations

Practice explaining your answers quickly and clearly! ⏱️

📖 Learn

Sometimes we need to explain our thinking FAST! 🤔 Let's practice giving quick, clear answers.

💡 The Quick Explain Formula

When you need to explain quickly, use this pattern:

"Because + ONE good reason"

You don't need to say everything - just ONE clear reason is enough!

⏱️ Quick Explain Tips

  • Start with "because" right away
  • Say just ONE reason (your best one!)
  • Point to what you see if you can
  • Keep it short - just a few words is okay!

💭 Quick vs. Long Explanations

Long: "Because I can see that the sky is very dark and there are lots of clouds and I remember that when it looks like that it usually rains."

Quick: "Because the sky is dark."

✅ Both are right! The quick one is just faster!

💡 Examples

Watch how to give QUICK explanations!

Example 1

Question: Why is the fire truck red?

Quick Answer: "Because red means 'look at me!'"

⏱️ That took only 3 seconds!

Example 2

Question: How do you know the boy is sad?

Quick Answer: "Because he is crying."

⏱️ Short and clear!

Example 3

Question: What makes you think it's bedtime?

Quick Answer: "Because it's dark outside."

⏱️ One reason is enough!

✏️ Practice

Try to answer each question QUICKLY! Give yourself only 5 seconds to say your answer. Ready? 🤔💨

⏱️ Quick Drill Round 1

Question 1

Why do birds fly?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because they have wings!"

Question 2

How do you know a dog is happy?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because it wags its tail!"

Question 3

What makes you think water is wet?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because I feel it on my hands!"

Question 4

Why do we wear shoes?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because they protect our feet!"

⏱️ Quick Drill Round 2

Question 5

How do you know it's morning?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because the sun is up!"

Question 6

Why do fish swim?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because they live in water!"

Question 7

What makes you think cookies taste good?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because they are sweet!"

Question 8

How do you know a light is on?

Quick! "Because..."

Sample Answer

💡 "Because I can see the glow!"

⏱️ Quick Drill Round 3 - Challenge!

Question 9

Why is ice cold?

Sample Answer

💡 "Because it's frozen water!"

Question 10

How do you know someone is sleeping?

Sample Answer

💡 "Because their eyes are closed!"

Question 11

What makes you think a ball will bounce?

Sample Answer

💡 "Because it's round and rubbery!"

Question 12

Why do we eat food?

Sample Answer

💡 "Because it gives us energy!"

✅ Check Your Understanding

Let's see how well you can explain quickly!

Question 1: What is the Quick Explain Formula?

Show Answer

💡 "Because + ONE good reason"

Question 2: True or False: You need to give MANY reasons when explaining quickly.

Show Answer

💡 FALSE! Just ONE clear reason is enough for quick explanations!

Question 3: Which is a better QUICK answer for "Why is the sky blue?"

A) "Because that's the color we see when light shines through air and I learned that in a book once."

B) "Because that's what we see!"

Show Answer

💡 B is the better QUICK answer! It's short and clear. Answer A is good too, but it's not quick!

🚀 Next Steps

  • Practice quick explanations with a family member - take turns asking "why" questions!
  • Try to beat your own time - can you explain in 3 seconds?
  • Move on to learn about common mistakes in explanations!