Writing Lesson Plans

Day 1

The Building Blocks of Writing

Objectives

1. Students will learn the different stages of the writing process and the different parts of an essay by seeing many different examples. (Knowledge)
2. Students will be able to recognize and define the different stages of the writing process and the separate parts of an essay when given examples to differentiate. (Comprehension)

Explain the Importance of Writing

Take a poll and ask students how many of them like to write. Ask them how many of them keep a personal journal, or a blog. Who writes poetry or songs. Who likes to write notes to friends or girlfriends, boyfriends. Who like to use email and text messaging?

Give examples of how writing affects their lives and give examples of professions that use writing.

1. I will draw a hamburger model on the board as a pre-assessment activity that will allow me to measure their prior knowledge on the different parts of an essay and the writing process. After I draw on the board, I will ask students to do the same on a blank sheet of paper. I will tell them this is how to build an effective essay. Each part of the hamburger represents a different part of the essay. The top bun represents the introduction; the three patties represent the body or three supporting paragraphs of the essay, and the bottom part of the bun represents the conclusion. Each student will be given three slips of paper with different parts of an essay.
2. Class discussion over their choices and then they will be asked to identify the thesis statement.
3. Explain each part of the essay or hamburger. I will read different examples of good and bad introductions and good and bad thesis statements. I will give examples of how the body (or three supporting paragraphs) support the thesis statement. Show how the supporting paragraphs should show examples, details, and facts. Explain how the conclusion provides closure, and leaves the reader with a strong final impression. Teach students that it usually restates the thesis statement.
4. Show students how to do an essay map or concept map when writing an essay. Provide an example.
5. Students will complete a transition exercise if there is time left over and we will discuss this as a class after.

Writing Transition Worksheet

Name________________

Directions: Read the passage, and then answer the questions that follow.

(1) Before I knew it, I had created a huge snowman. (2) Once outside, I picked up the fresh snow and started to roll it into a ball. (3) After seeing the snow outside my window, I could not wait to go outside.