Writing Strategy Share Melissa Doll 3-20-2012 SPED 503MM Writing Strategy Share
Parts of a Paragraph Paragraph Chains Each student should have six strips of construction paper: One white strip One green strip Three yellow strips One red strip
White strip = Title of the paragraph All writing assignments need a title Green strip = Topic sentence Just as green means “Go” on a stoplight, this signifies the beginning of the paragraph Yellow strips = Supporting details Yellow is the middle color on a stoplight, so this represents the middle of the paragraph Red strip = Concluding sentence Just as a red light means “Stop” to a driver, this signifies the end of the paragraph
On the White Strip, write… Title of the paragraph On the Green Strip, write… Introduce the content of the paragraph
On the Yellow Strips, write… Details about the topic sentence On the Red Strip, write… Restates what the paragraph is about
How to Use this Tool Staple or tape the six paper strips in correct order. Have students touch each link and explain the meaning of each part. Chains may be taped to desks or tables as references for paragraph writing activities.
Benefits of this Tool Excellent for teaching to various strengths and learning preferences, teaching English learners, and teaching students with learning disabilities because… Source: www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com
Benefits of this Tool Appeals to Multiple Intelligences: Verbal-Linguistic: writing sentences restating the parts of a paragraph writing paragraphs Math-Logic: charting the parts of a paragraph using a paragraph chain writing paragraphs about numbers Spatial: creating a paragraph stoplight using color to identify the parts of a paragraph Source: www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com
Benefits of this Tool Appeals to Multiple Intelligences: Bodily-Kinesthetic: assembling paragraph chains touching the chain links while explaining the parts of a paragraph Interpersonal: write paragraphs with a partner Intrapersonal: write an autobiographical paragraph Source: www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com
Benefits of this Tool Appeals to Multiple Intelligences: Musical: clap out paragraph parts to a rhythm Naturalist: write paragraphs describing nature scenes Existential: write paragraphs for character education topics Source: www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com
Possible Classroom Applications Students can quiz each other on the meaning of each link Students can display the links on their desks or post them on the wall to gather and reference during writing activities Students can practice writing paragraphs link-by-link on color strips as a class, in a small group, with a partner, and individually Students can peer edit each other’s paragraphs using the links as an evaluation guide
Reference www.creative-writing-ideas-and- activities.com