Learning Experience/Unit
Power Writing - Writing to Inform by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES
Subject
English Language Arts (2005), English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)
Grade Levels
Intermediate, 5th Grade
Assessment
A rubric will be used for assessing the culminating project.
Learning Context/ Introduction
As part of our fifth grade writing curriculum, we will be learning to use writing techniques to write an organized logical paragraph when "Writing to Inform."
Duration
Day 1: 50 minutes
Day 2: 50 minutes
Day 3: 50 minutes
Day 4: 55 minutes
Day 5: 50 minutes
Essential Questions
Why is it important to include a topic sentence, a body, and a conclusion in your writing?
Why is it important to include supporting details after a topic sentence?
Instructional/Environment Modifications
Due to the fact that the class includes AIS students whose language, writing, and skills are not as proficient as their classmates, either the AIS support staff or myself worked with those children on completing their tasks.
Procedure
Day One
Teacher: Today we will learn to use writing techniques to write an organized
logical paragraph by using the secret "Power Writing" formula. The
teacher will introduce Power Writing. The Power Writing PowerPoint will be used
to reinforce the remainder of the lesson. The teacher will use the Power Writing PowerPoint on the SMART Board and provide a copy of slides 2-6 to the class.
- The teacher will introduce Power 1 and review the difference between general or specific number words. The teacher will model how to develop a Power 1 statement: "I like teaching for several reasons."
- The teacher will introduce Power 2 and Power 2 signal words to the class. The teacher will model how to use Power 2 signal words when writing. The teacher will model a paragraph using a Power 1 statement and three Power 2 statements:
- "I like teaching for several reasons. First, I enjoy working with children. Next, I love to teach math and social studies. Lastly, I enjoy teaching because I like the vacations."
- The teacher will introduce Power 4 and Power 4 signal words. The teacher will model how to rewrite a Power 1 to become the Power 4 conclusion sentence. Example: "These are the reasons why I like to teach."
- The teacher will model the entire Power paragraph using the formula 1-2-2-2-4.
Day Two
The students will complete an admit slip on which they will place the sentences in the correct order. The Power Writing PowerPoint will be used to reinforce the remainder of the lesson (providing slides: 9,11,12). The teacher will have the same sentences on the board in the same order as the students admit slip.
- The students will be called to the board one at time to rearrange the sentence
slips in the correct order.
- The teacher will explain to the class that we need to make our paragraph
stronger and more powerful by adding more details.
- The teacher will introduce Power 3 and explain why it is important to add
details and examples when you are writing to inform. The teacher will pass
out Power 3 signal words to the students and have it on the SMART Board also.
- The teacher will model how to add Power 3's to writing with the example
paragraph about teaching. The students will then add Power 3's to the paragraph
on the board to make it a stronger paragraph.
- The class will read the new Power Writing paragraph with the pattern 1-2-3-2-3-2-3-4.
Day Three
The teacher will review the Power Writing formula. The Power Writing PowerPoint
will be used to reinforce the remainder of the lesson.
- The teacher will model on the SMART Board, how to complete a Kidspiration
graphic organizer. The topic will be: "Why I Like Recess".
- The teacher will give each child a chance to share their reasons why they
like recess as the teacher puts their answers on the graphic organizer.
- The students will then use the graphic organizer on the SMART Board to complete
a Power Writing paragraph with the pattern 1-2-3-2-3-2-3-4.
- The students will share their writing with a partner.
Day Four
- The teacher will pass out the Power Writing rubric and review
the assignment expectations.
- The students will go to the computer lab and create
a graphic organizer with Kidspiration using the topic, "Why I Like Fifth Grade".
- After finishing the graphic organizer in the computer lab, the students will
return to the classroom.
- The students will use their graphic organizer and their notes
to complete a Power Writing paragraph.
- The students will revise their rough drafts,
with either a teacher or peer, and be ready to type their final copy on Day
5.
Day Five
The class will return to the computer lab and the students will
type their final paragraphs using a Word program. At the end of class there will be a conducted class discussion addressing the following questions:
"Why is it important to include a topic sentence, a body, and
a conclusion in your writing? Why is it important to include supporting details
after a topic sentence?"
- Power Writing PowerPoint
Reflections and Feedback
I would definitely plan on doing this lesson in September next year. The students were very motivated throughout the entire lesson. The use of the SMART Board, Kidspiration, and Word was appealing to my fifth graders. I will continue to develop "Power Writing" in other lessons.
Student Work
Examples of three student pieces.
Related Resource
- SMART Board
- Kidspiration
- Word Processing Program
- Computer Lab
- PowerPoint
- www.teach-nology.com
