Activity Description
Title: Writing - - Information-Expository
This ACTIVITY has a set of teaching-learning strategies proven to increase student mastery of Information-Writing skill - - stating a clear thesis idea and developing it with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and/or examples. Most high-stakes tests include Information-writing and Opinion-writing (usually involving the comparison of two texts) but very few Narratives. The activity provides formats and models for students to practice different sections of the Information paper. Students “pre-write” to the Information prompt, usually with a simple list of bullet points to capture the content. For writing mechanics, the teacher identifies key language standards, gradually adding more across the year include the complete grade-level list. Using a simple writing rubric (consisting of the content and language mechanics requirements), students review their pre-write, drafts, and the quality of the finished piece (W 4.2). By exchanging papers with writing partners, students also use the rubric to provide others with helpful feedback (W 4.5). [At Grades K-5, each Activity attaches student-sized texts, templates, and test items that teachers can quickly print and use immediately in class.]
Enabling Skills: (1) understand the premise of Information-Writing; (2) write in complete sentences; (3) observe basic grammar and mechanics; (4) pre-write as per the prompt; and (5) use the scoring rubric to plan the piece as well as evaluate successive writing drafts.
Direct Instruction: Students review the basic intent of Information-Writing and how it differs from Opinion-Writing and the Narrative. Activities include a review of the standard, a discussion of the best format for a Pre-Write, and how to put together the First Draft. Students review the Grade 4 Planning and Scoring Rubric and use sample prompts to practice the process. In addition, students write two Information Essays - - one to compare two FICTION texts (a Greek and a Japanese tale of slaying a dreaded monster) and one to compare two NON-FICTION texts (about Lafayette’s and Von Steuben’s contribution to the American Revolution).
Quick-Writes: Standards-based writing prompts - - both for content and mechanics - - are provided to practice Information-Writing.
CUSTOMER: Thanks for considering this Activity as part of your approach to your state’s ELA standards. If you have any comments as to how it worked - - or didn’t! - - we’d welcome them! See the contact information to send us feedback. - - the EdFOCUS Team
This teaching activity comes with one hour of online instruction and guidance from a trained EdFOCUS professional. You will be contacted shortly after purchase with more details.