Explore Expository Writing Through Methods of Transport

When it comes to teaching expository writing, exploring processes that students can observe and relate to in the world around them helps make learning more meaningful and engaging. Methods of transport are an excellent topic choice because students are already familiar with many forms of transport and are often curious about how they work. 

This writing project has been expertly designed by our experienced team to guide your students through the process of writing a high-quality expository text about a method of transport of their choice. The resource download includes everything you’ll need to implement this project in one handy PDF or Google Slides file:

• Student instructions
• Model text entitled How Do Airplanes Fly?
• Analysis worksheets
• Planning and research graphic organizers
• Drafting paper
• Editing checklist
• Assessment rubric

Exploring how vehicles move, travel and operate provides a highly engaging context for developing explanation-writing skills while building understanding of science and technology concepts.

Modes of Transport: A Great Topic Choice for Expository Writing

Modes of transport provide an engaging and accessible context for expository writing because they encourage students to explore how everyday technologies work. From bicycles and trains to helicopters and excavators, these familiar topics spark curiosity while giving students plenty of opportunities to investigate processes, systems and cause-and-effect relationships.

Here are some more reasons why this topic is a great choice for explanatory writing:

• Addresses real-world technologies that students encounter in their everyday lives
• Explores scientific and technological knowledge in a meaningful context
• Develops an understanding of sequences, processes and cause-and-effect 
• Connects literacy learning with STEM concepts and real-world applications
• Allows writers to draw on prior knowledge and experiences

Download This Modes of Transport Writing Project

Are you ready to get your hands on this explanatory writing project? Use the dropdown menu on the Download button to access either the quick-print PDF or the editable Google Slides file. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template before accessing it).

Simply print the materials or assign them digitally, then guide students through the step-by-step process of analyzing, researching and writing their own explanatory text.

For sustainability purposes, please consider printing this workbook double-sided.

Stephanie Machart, a teacher in Illinois and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

Grab More Explanatory Writing Resources

Don’t leave before exploring more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources for teaching explanatory writing to your upper elementary students!

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