Lesson Plan

Writing an Informational Paragraph - Modeled Writing

Teach Starter Publishing
60 mins | Suitable for grades: 3 - 4

A 60-minute lesson in which students will write an informative paragraph.

Tuning In

  • Watch the Informational Writing: Body Paragraphs video on YouTube. Encourage the students to read the text on the screen as it appears. After watching, ask the students:
    • What is a topic sentence?
    • What is the purpose of a topic sentence within an informative paragraph?
    • Why are paragraphs so important when writing informative texts?

Teacher Instruction

  • Discuss the structure of informative paragraphs as outlined on slide 18 of the Imaginative, Opinion, and Informative Paragraphs PowerPoint. Read the example paragraph on slide 19, then display and discuss the annotations on slides 20-21.
  • Ask the students to revisit their scaffold planning sheet from the previous lesson. Choose one category from one of the topics from the sorting task, e.g., sharks' size and appearance.
  • Project the Informative Paragraph Planning Template on the board.Using the relevant facts from the chosen topic and category, write an informative paragraph with the students, and model how to write an appropriate topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences. Encourage the students to suggest relevant language features, such as subject-specific vocabulary.
  • Once completed, ask for a volunteer to read the completed paragraph to the class. Encourage the students to make any further suggestions to improve the quality of the paragraph.

Guided/Independent Learning

  • Provide the students with a copy of the Informative Paragraph Planning Template. Allow the students to work in pairs or individually to write an informative paragraph about a different aspect of the same topic, e.g., sharks' diet and eating habits. Encourage the students to follow the same process as the one used for the modeled writing. Display the Paragraphs in Informative Writing - Poster as a visual reminder while the students are writing.

Wrapping Up

  • Encourage each pair to share their informative paragraphs. Allow the class to provide positive feedback, as well as suggesting helpful ideas for improvement.

Differentiation

Extending Students

  • Encourage more confident writers to work individually on their informative paragraph rather than in pairs.

Supporting Students

  • Allow students who find writing challenging to work with a teacher or teacher aide during the pair activity.

Suggested Assessment Strategies

  • used strategic whole class or individual questioning
  • observed student participation during learning activities
  • recorded student progress on a checklist
  • annotated student work samples
  • collected and reviewed student work samples
  • facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
  • encouraged student self-reflection
  • administered formal assessment tasks.

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Stephanie (Teach Starter)
Teach Starter Publishing

Teach Starter Publishing

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