1. Writing a Constructed Response
Grade 5

2. I. Mini-Lesson Statement
Writers explore specific types of writing to understand how to write in that specific genre.

3. Where might you see this kind of writing?

4. “Have A Go”
Let’s quickly look at a response from “The Discontented Rock”
What do you notice about this kind of writing?

6. Application
Return to your seats to look through the writing samples with your writing partners.
Record your findings in your Writer’s Notebook, paying attention to the type of information you see in the writing.

7. Share
Volunteers to share the information you gathered?
Record findings on a chart.

8. Noticings

9. Remember… Writers explore specific types of writing to understand how to write in that specific genre.

10. Define Genre: A constructed response is…

11. II. Mini-Lesson Statement
Writers restate a question to begin a response.

12. Illustrative example
When we are asked a question, we restate the question to begin our response.
For example, if I ask you, “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?” you might respond by saying, “This morning, I ate pancakes for breakfast.”

13. Let’s try a few together:
“What did you do last night?”
“How did you get to school this morning?”
“Who will you sit next to at lunch today?”

14. Now, let’s look at yesterday’s text.
In the first line, you can see where the writer of the text restated the question.

15. Let’s look at this one. What words in the question did the writer restate in the response?

16. How about this one from “The Unfortunate Fireflies”?

17. And this one?

18. Application
Look at the questions on the sheet that you
will be given.
Using the language in the question, begin a
response to each question.
Underline the language that the question
and your statement have in common.

19. Share Volunteers to share one of your examples
Share Volunteers to share one of your examples? What did you do this morning when you got to school?

20. How did you decide what to eat for breakfast this morning?

21. When did you go to bed last night?

22. What will you do when you get home from school today?

23. A few questions of your own?

24. Remember…
Writers restate a question to begin a response.

25. III. Mini-Lesson Statement Writers state a claim to answer the question.

26. What is a claim?
A statement that declares something to be true
An arguable statement

27. Illustrative Examples When you state a claim, it has to be one that is supported by evidence from the story. You can't just make a claim that has no evidence to back it up. Example: According to the article “Be Prepared,” why is it important to be prepared for a storm?

28. Applying the skill we learned yesterday, I'm going to restate the question and then will make a claim as an introduction for my response: My claim: According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out.

29. What are some other claims we can make to answer the question: According to the article “Be Prepared,” why is it important to be prepared for a storm?

30. Application
In your Writer's Notebooks, make several more claims to begin a response to our question:
According to the article “Be Prepared,” why is it important to be prepared for a storm?
Be sure to begin your response by first, restating the question.

31. Share Volunteers to share one of their claims?

32. Remember... Writers state a claim to answer a question.

33. IV. Mini-Lesson Statement Writers cite evidence from the text to support their claim.

34. What is evidence? What does it mean to cite evidence?

35. Illustrative Examples
Yesterday we stated a claim about why deer flies are able to easily attack humans.
Question: According to the article “Be Prepared,” why is it important to be prepared for a storm?
My claim: According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out.
Today, we are going to learn how to cite evidence to support our claim.

36. According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out. The article states, “Fresh batteries for a portable radio, a DVD player, or a handheld gaming system can help keep you informed or pass the time while you wait for the power to be restored.”

37. Let's try one together: Claim: According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm in case the power goes out. Evidence?

38. Application Use one of the charted claims from yesterday and cite at least 2 pieces of evidence to back up your claim.

39. Share Volunteers to share your work from today?

40. Remember... Writers cite evidence from the text to support their claim.

41. V. Mini-Lesson Statement Writers explain their reasoning to show how the evidence supports their claim.

42. So far, you've learned how to:·
Restate the question when beginning your response
Answer the question by making a claim
Cite evidence to support your claim
Today, I'm going to show you how to explain how your evidence supports your claim.

43. According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out. The article states, “Fresh batteries for a portable radio, a DVD player, or a handheld gaming system can help keep you informed or pass the time while you wait for the power to be restored.” In order to explain how my evidence supports my claim, I need to add to my response.

44. According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out. The article states, “Fresh batteries for a portable radio, a DVD player, or a handheld gaming system can help keep you informed or pass the time while you wait for the power to be restored.” Sometimes, it can be days before power is restored, so it is important to maintain communication with the outside world and to have something to keep you occupied.
You can see that I added 1 more sentence to explain how my supports my claim.

45. Let's try one together:
What can I add to my writing to explain how my evidence, “Stocking up on items that provide light, such as candles or flashlights” is a necessary preparation to help you weather a storm?

46. Application
Use the piece of writing that you worked on in the last lesson.
Add at least 1 sentence per piece of evidence to show how each piece of evidence supports your claim.

47. Share Volunteers to share the writing they added to their work today?

48. Remember... Writers explain their reasoning to show how the evidence supports their claim.

49. VI. Mini-Lesson Statement Writers summarize their response to provide a concluding statement.

50. So far, you've learned how to:
Restate the question when beginning your response
Answer the question by making a claim
Cite evidence to support your claim
Explain how your evidence supports your claim
Today, I'm going to show you how to provide a concluding statement.

51. Illustrative Example
According to the article “Be Prepared,” it is necessary to be prepared for a storm so that you have a back-up power supply in case your electricity gets knocked out. The article states, “Fresh batteries for a portable radio, a DVD player, or a handheld gaming system can help keep you informed or pass the time while you wait for the power to be restored.” Sometimes, it can be days before power is restored, so it is important to maintain communication with the outside world and to have something to keep you occupied. Another reason to be prepared in case the power goes out is so you can protect computers, microwaves and other ovens, washers and dryers, and other expensive major appliances from power surges. If the power goes out, harmful surges that happen when the power is turned back on can blow out computers and other electronic equipment. Preparing yourself for a potential power outage can save you a lot of trouble if a big storm hits.

52. Your concluding statement should be one sentence that circles back to your original claim. Let's try one together:

53. Application
Using the piece of writing that you've been working on:
Try out several concluding statements.
Choose the best one to end your response.

54. Share Volunteers to share your best concluding statement?

55. Remember... Writers summarize their response to provide a concluding statement.