I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Structure

Essential Question:

Why is the structure of a paragraph important?

Bridge:

Drawing a Paragraph

Content:

Topic sentences supporting details and conclusion

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To show the students the need for Topic Sentence, Supporting Details and a conclusion sentence in order to comprehend written language paragraphs.

Activity: Teacher-made nonsense paragraph that begins correctly, but does not stay with the topic and does not allow students to follow the thoughts expressed in order to listen and illustrate on drawing paper.

Assessment: Student reactions and responses.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To analyze the problem that occurred and why the task could not be completed.

Activity: Students show incomplete drawings and discuss why their illustrations don't have meaning.

Assessment: Student ability to communicate their feelings and reactions.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To teach the concept of paragraph writing by visual imagery of a topic, details and conclusion.

Activity: Instruct student to fold large piece of drawing paper into eight boxes. Number the boxes 1-8. A) In the first box, draw a picture of something you enjoy doing.
B) In boxes 2-7, draw pictures of how you learned to do it.
C) In the last box, draw a picture that shows you have learned the activity.

Assessment: Quality of visual in understanding the concepts. (Illustration can be limited to fewer boxes depending on age level of students.)

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To further student knowledge and understanding of how to write good paragraphs and give background about a topic to motivate increases in skill development.

Activity:
1) Teacher instructs students in proper use of Topic Sentences, Supporting Details and conclusion sentence by using school selected text and overhead projector for illustrations.
2) Teacher reads and teaches students about the parts of a circus - picture illustrations from book.

Assessment: Student involvement and teacher-made assessment.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To practice and gain skill in use of Topic, Supporting Details and Conclusion sentences.

Activity:
1) Workbook pages from text.
2) Teacher-made worksheets.
3) Small Groups: formulate a group paragraph using a topic about the circus. Read to class and critique for accuracy with class.

Assessment: Quality of completed work. Teacher check for accuracy.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: Give students the opportunity to add something of themselves.

Activity: To give further practice in use of Topic Sentence Supporting Details and Conclusion sentences, personalizing the learning.
1) Students are instructed in folding a large piece of oak tag in half and cutting a circular shape out of one side forming a circus tent frame on paper. Draw a picture inside frame of one exciting event at a circus. Decorate with glitter and markers.
2) Students write a paragraph about their picture (using correct form in writing a paragraph).

Assessment: Quality of completed work and correct use of skills taught.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To evaluate understanding of elements needed to write a good paragraph and remediate where necessary.

Activity:
1) Teacher made:
a) short paragraphs (writing each sentence part on a separate card),
b) mix two sets of two paragraphs together. Students work in small groups to sort sentences and form two correct paragraphs.
2) Pair students and have them work together to edit and refine their paragraphs about the circus.

Assessment: Accuracy in creating paragraphs that have a topic sentence, supporting details and a conclusion.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To share their paragraphs and pictures with each other and celebrate their mastery of the skill.

Activity:
1) Students show circus tent pictures and read their paragraphs to the class.
2) Students take a field trip to a circus or watch a movie about the circus.
3) Share ideas and experiences in groups. Each group formulates a paragraph about the trip or movie. Read to class.

Assessment: Enjoyment, involvement, enthusiasm - participation and accuracy.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: