Exploring Earth and Space Phenomena Through Expository Writing

Teaching expository writing becomes even more engaging when students explore real processes they observe in the world around them.

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 an Earth and Space phenomenon 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 about what causes the seasons
• Analysis worksheets
• Planning and research graphic organizers
• Drafting paper
• Editing checklist
• Assessment rubric

Whether students investigate eclipses, day and night, the phases of the Moon or another Earth and Space phenomenon, this project provides a meaningful way to strengthen literacy skills while inspiring curiosity about the world beyond Earth.

Scaffolded Analysis, Planning and Writing for Student Success

This resource has been intentionally designed by our team to bring out the best in your young writers through scaffolded support and the use of a high-quality and age-appropriate model text. 

Here are some of the ways this resource sets your students up to succeed in their writing:

• Following a structured process makes explanation writing more manageable.
• Analyzing a sample text helps clarify expectations for their own writing.
• Research templates help organize information without cognitive overload. 
• Planning and writing scaffolds provide support for the drafting stages.
• Editing checklists assist with refining and improving their work.

Download This Expository Text Writing Project

If you’re looking for an engaging way to teach expository writing, this resource is ready to download and use straight away. Simply print the materials or assign them digitally, then guide students through the step-by-step process of analyzing, researching and writing their own expository text.

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).

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.

More Expository Writing Resources From Teach Starter

Click below to browse more expository writing activities to guide and support your students as they engage with this important text type.

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Expository Text Examples and Analysis Worksheets

Use these expository text examples with accompanying analysis worksheets to teach your students about the purpose, structure and language features of expository writing.

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Explanatory Writing Teaching Slides

Teach explanatory writing with confidence using this comprehensive slide deck that helps students understand the purpose, structure and language features of explanatory essays.

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Expository Writing Project – Body Systems

Get your students producing high-quality expository writing with this fully scaffolded expository writing project, where students research, organize and publish an expository text about a human body system.