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AFTER READING
OBJECTIVES
Genre Writing Good
   Paragraphs
Writer’s Craft Strong    Conclusions
Writing Trait Organization/
   Paragraphs
  • Identify the
    characteristics of
    a good paragraph.
  • Write a good paragraph
    that includes a strong
    conclusion.
  • Focus on organization/paragraphs.
  • Use a rubric.
ELL
Organization/Paragraphs Make sure English learners can decode words in the prompt. Work with students to complete a cloze sentence that addresses the prompt and could be used to launch writing.
Writing Trait
IDEAS/FOCUS The paragraph
focuses on a specific setting.
ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS
Details are arranged in a
logical order according to the
things that live in the desert.
The paragraph ends with a
strong conclusion.
VOICE The writer's voice is
original and knowledgeable.
WORD CHOICE The writer uses
vivid and precise words to describe a setting.
SENTENCES Sentences of
different lengths and kinds are used.
CONVENTIONS Grammar and
mechanics are excellent, including use of quotations.
DAY 1
Model the Trait
DAY 2
Improve Writing
DAY 3
Prewrite and Draft
DAY 4
Draft and Revise
DAY 5
Connect to Unit Writing
READING-WRITING CONNECTION
  • Elena's Serenade is a fantasy about a girl who wants to become a glassblower, like her father.
  • Ideas in Elena's Serenade are expressed in a series of well-developed paragraphs.
  • Students will write a good paragraph with a strong ending.
MODEL ORGANIZATION/ PARAGRAPHS Discuss Writing Transparency 30A. Then discuss the model and the writing trait of organization/paragraphs.
Think Aloud I see that the writer has written a paragraph called "Life in the Desert." The paragraph has a topic sentence that gets the reader's attention and tells the main idea of the paragraph. The next ten sentences provide supporting details about the main idea. The conclusion vividly sums up the paragraph's main idea.
Writing Transparency
Writing Transparency 30A
with | without Answers
WRITER'S CRAFT
Strong Conclusions
Display Writing Transparency 30B. Read the directions and work together to decide whether each conclusion is the strongest possible for the paragraph.
Think Aloud STRONG CONCLUSIONS
Tomorrow we will write a paragraph about someone we know. How will I organize my sentences into a logical order? I will start with a strong topic sentence, followed by facts, descriptions, and examples that support the topic sentence. Finally, I will write a conclusion that sums up the main idea of the paragraph.
GUIDED WRITING Some students may need more help with strong conclusions. Review some paragraphs from other selections and discuss their conclusions with students.
Writing Transparency
Writing Transparency 30B
with | without Answers
READ THE WRITING PROMPT
on page 402 in the Student Edition.
Elena’s Serenade describes a girl who makes special music.
Think about a character or person you know well.
Now write a paragraph about that person, using logical organization.
Writing Test Tips
  • Begin with a strong topic
    sentence that makes a
    generalization about the
    story setting.
  • Brainstorm facts,
    descriptions, and
    examples to support
    the topic sentence.
  • Write a conclusion that
    sums up the paragraph’s
    main idea and keeps
    readers’ interest.
GETTING STARTED Students can do any of the following:
  • With a partner, make a list of interesting people you know.
  • With a group, make a
    concept web with Lively Story Characters in the center.
  • Discuss with the class
    interesting people and
    stories in the selections you have read.
EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST
  • Does the paragraph focus
    on a specific setting?
  • Do vivid details elaborate
    on the setting?
  • Are quotations used
    correctly to add interest?
  • Are related words
    spelled correctly?
  • Are abbreviations
    punctuated correctly?
See The Grammar and Writing Book, pp. 228–233.
Revising Tips
Organization/Paragraphs
  • Write a topic sentence
    that states the
    paragraph's main idea.
  • Use well-organized details to support the main idea.
  • Write a vivid conclusion
    that sums up the main idea.
PUBLISHING Students can read
their paragraphs aloud in small
groups. Some students may
wish to revise their work later.
ASSESSMENT Use the scoring
rubric to evaluate students' work.
Week 1
Taking Notes
303g–303h
Week 2
Outlining 331g–331h
Week 3
Informational Paragraph
353g–353h
Week 4
Writing About a
Picture 379g–379h
Week 5
Write Good
Paragraphs
407g–407h
Research Report
PREVIEW THE UNIT PROMPT
Write a research report about a
monument or statue that
symbolizes freedom in the United
States. Discuss the monument
itself, its history, and why it is
important. Find information in
sources such as books,
magazines, CD-ROMs, and the
Internet.
APPLY
  • A research report is an
    informational article based
    on research.
  • In a research report, each
    paragraph contains a topic
    sentence and details that
    support the topic sentence.
Writing Workshop   Write Good Paragraphs
Trait of the Week
Organization/Paragraphs
 
   
Close  
Writing Trait Rubric  
Rubric 4 3 2 1
Organization/ Paragraphs
Ideas well developed from beginning to end; strong closure
Ideas that progress from beginning to end; good closure
Some sense of movement from beginning to end; weak closure
No sense of movement from beginning to end or closure
Paragraph organized with exceptional logic
Paragraph organized adequately
Paragraph not clearly organized
Paragraph not organized