1. Harcourt 10-11 Lesson 3 Grammar Day 2 and 3 Paragraph Writing
Materials needed:
-dry erase board, marker, and eraser for pairs of
students
-transparency with lined paper taped to the back
and overhead marker for each pair of students
-overhead projector

2. Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing
The Writing Process
Prewriting
Drafting
We finished our first writing project of the year, which was our bio-poems.
While writing our poems, we learned how to use the same steps that good writers use.
What are those steps called? *
What is the first step to completing a piece of writing? *
Second step? *
Third step? *
Fourth step? *
Fifth step? *
Now, we’re ready to move on to some longer pieces of writing.
Revising
Editing
Publishing

3. Types of Writing Informational Persuasive Narrative
There are three types of writing, and this year, we’ll do some of each type.
One type of writing is called…*
Another type is called…*
The third type is called…*
The type of writing you use depends on the purpose. All writers have a purpose or reason for writing.
Narrative

4. to teach or inform about something
Informational
to teach or inform about something
If your purpose is to teach or inform about something, what type of writing do you think you will use? *
One piece of informational writing that we will do this year is…*
Ocean
Creature
Reports

5. to convince someone to do or believe something
Persuasive
to convince someone to do or believe something
If your purpose is to convince someone to do or believe something, what type of writing will you use? *
You might use persuasive writing to convince your family or friends to… *
Visit a Certain Place

6. to tell a story; to entertain
Narrative
to tell a story; to entertain
Sometimes, though, you will write to tell a story or to entertain someone. What type of writing is that? *
Sometimes it will be a story about you or something in your life.
You might use narrative writing to tell about your * or the *.
Now matter which type of writing we use, you are going to need to know the answer to this big question…
Favorite Place to
Eat
Best Day You Spent with Your Family

7. What makes a good paragraph?
The BIG Question:
What makes a good paragraph?
Can someone read it?
Almost all of the writing that you will do this year will be made up of paragraphs.
You learned about how to write a good paragraph last year, so today, I’ll just refresh your memory.
First of all, it would be a good idea to remind ourselves what a…

8. a group of sentences that tells about one subject or idea
paragraph
a group of sentences that tells about one subject or idea
…paragraph is.
Can someone read our * definition?
A paragraph is written about one topic. This is the main idea of the paragraph.
I have some paragraphs that I would like for you to read.
As you read, I would like you to find the sentence in the paragraph that tells the main idea of that paragraph.

9. Find the Main Idea Arnie takes good care of his
pet fish. He keeps their bowl filled
with fresh water. Every morning, he
feeds them special food, and he always
keeps his cat away from the bowl.
Whenever his fish get sick, Arnie takes
them to the vet.
Can someone read this paragraph?
What is the main idea? *

10. Find the Main Idea
Maria and Carlos have an unusual job. Every day they go to the city park. Maria plays music on her banjo while Carlos dances. People gather around to watch. After his dance, Carlos holds out his hat. People drop their money into the hat.
Can someone read this paragraph?
What is the main idea? *

11. Find the Main Idea
I carry out the trash on Monday morning. On Saturday, I help my dad weed the garden. Every morning, I make my bed and keep my bedroom tidy. On Tuesday and Thursday, I help my sister with the dinner dishes. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do every week!
Can someone read this paragraph?
What is the main idea? *

12. Find the Main Idea
Max’s little sister can be a pest. For example, yesterday she drew all over his homework with a pen. While he was at school, she messed up the puzzle he had been working on for days. Then at dinner, she knocked her glass of milk over and it landed on his lap.
Can someone read this paragraph?
What is the main idea? *

13. Parts of a Paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Details Ending Sentence
You learned last year that all paragraphs have certain parts. Your teacher may have used a * hamburger to help teach you the parts.
Does anyone remember the first part of a paragraph? It is like the top bun. *
The * topic sentence tells the reader the main idea of your paragraph – what the whole thing will be about.
What is the next part of the paragraph? It is like * the * hamburger, lettuce, tomatoes, onions. *
The more details the better.
What is the last part of a paragraph? * It is like the bottom bun? * The ending sentence should sum up the whole paragraph.
Supporting Details
Ending Sentence

14. Create a Topic Sentence
Built a sand castle
Ran in and out of the waves
Explored the tide pools
Roasted hot dogs over a
fire
I’m going to show you some details. See if you can come up with a topic sentence that would go with these details.
You are going to work with a partner. I would like you to write your sentence on a dry erase board.
(share)
Here is what I wrote…*
I had a great time when I went to the beach.

15. Create a Topic Sentence
A dirty sock
An old comic book
My lost homework
A piece of rotten banana
Write a possible topic sentence.
(share)
Here is what I wrote…*
I couldn’t believe what I found under my bed.

16. Create a Topic Sentence
New shoes
School clothes
A lunch box
A box of crayons
Write a possible topic sentence.
(share)
Here is what I wrote…*
When you write paragraphs, you have to be careful that all of the sentences in your paragraph relate to the topic.
I am going to show you some paragraphs. You find the sentence that doesn’t belong. It doesn’t fit the topic.
My mom bought me new school supplies when we went shopping.

17. What Doesn’t Belong? Good Friends
Emily and Tanya are good friends. They play games, ride their bikes, and go to the park together. Tanya’s dog can run very fast. Emily and Tanya ride the bus together to school. They spend the night at each other’s houses. You’ll never find two people who are better friends than Emily and Tanya.
Can someone read this paragraph?
What doesn’t belong? *

18. What Doesn’t Belong? A New Pet
I would like to get a new pet. I think that a bird would be a good pet. Some birds even talk to you! I also think that a dog would be a good pet. You can go for walks and play fetch with a dog. I have a goldfish as a pet. A hamster might also be a good pet. It is fun to watch hamsters as they play in their cages. I hope I’ll be able to get a new pet soon.
Can someone read this paragraph?
What doesn’t belong? *

19. What Doesn’t Belong?
Going Swimming
This afternoon, I’m going swimming in the pool at the park. I have my swimsuit and a big towel. Mom gave me money for a snack. My dad is going to drive me there. Yesterday, I rode my bike in the park. It will be a lot of fun!
Can someone read this paragraph?
What doesn’t belong? *
Now let’s see how good you are at answering our big question…

20. What makes a good paragraph?
The BIG Question:
What makes a good paragraph?
… What makes a good paragraph?
You are going to do some paragraph writing.

21. Writing a Good Paragraph
It isn’t easy to give a dog a
bath.
Pizza is good to eat.
Here are three possible topics for a paragraph.
You and your partner are going to choose one of these.
You may use a different word in place of the underlined word.
Talk with your partner. Choose a topic.
Summer is the best season of
the year.

22. Main Idea Now you’re ready to do some brainstorming.
When you brainstorm, put your main idea (your topic) in the * center, then make a * web around it with your ideas.
Go ahead and write your topic in the center of your paper.
After you brainstorm, you will write your paragraph. Think of your hamburger and all the important parts of a paragraph.
You will write your paragraph on a transparency.

23. Writing a Good Paragraph
It isn’t easy to give a dog a
bath.
Pizza is good to eat.
Here were the topic choices again.
(give students time to write their paragraphs)
Summer is the best season of
the year.

24. It isn’t easy to give my dog a bath
It isn’t easy to give my dog a bath. As soon as I fill the tub with water, he runs away and hides. When we finally get him in the tub, he shakes water all over the bathroom. Sometimes he even escapes and runs through the house when he is covered with soap! Giving my dog a bath is a lot of work.
Here is a paragraph about giving a dog a bath.
Would someone like to read it?
Let’s check out your paragraphs about giving a dog a bath. (show on overhead)

25. Summer is my favorite season. I can swim all day long
Summer is my favorite season. I can swim all day long. I don’t have any homework, and my parents let me stay up a little later. It doesn’t even get dark until 9:00, so I can play outside for hours and hours. I love everything about summer!
Here is a paragraph about a favorite season.
Would someone like to read it?
Let’s check out your paragraphs about favorite seasons. (show on overhead)

26. Pizza is good to eat. In fact, I love everything about pizza
Pizza is good to eat. In fact, I love everything about pizza. The sauce and the cheese taste so good together. My favorite part of the pizza is the crust! Nothing can beat pizza’s crunchy cheesy goodness.
Here is a paragraph about a favorite food.
Would someone like to read it?
Let’s check out your paragraphs about favorite foods. (show on overhead)