Students

as

Teachers:

Informational Writing

After school program institute

Friday, March 4, 2016

Driving Question

How can we, as after school educators, create lessons

that support and enhance our students informational
writing skills?

Preview
Video
http://youtu.be/SeDBTbitPX8
Turn and talk

What resonated with you? Did you make any connections?

Share out

Objective
EWBAT
Create an introduction paragraph using the informational writing
(IW) genre about a topic.
They will do this by working in small groups to discuss ideas,
being part of whole group instruction, and organizing their
information using graphic organizers.
They will demonstrate their mastery by including a hook and a
thesis statement (Subject + Big Idea) in their introduction.

Learning Targets
I can
recite the meaning of IW by stating it in my own words to a partner.
show the steps of starting IW by writing, labeling, and illustrating it on
an anchor chart.
distinguish the types of IW by labeling and providing an explanation
for writing samples of each (I.D.E.A.)
investigate a topic by searching for information using articles,
internet, books, etc.
create an introduction paragraph for an IW piece by including a hook
and a thesis statement (Subject + Big Idea).

Review
What do you already know about writing?
What are different kinds of writing and what do they consist
of?
Turn and Talk
Share outs

Structure of Institute

Purpose the significance of the content; the why.

Pedagogy the conceptual development of the content;
the what.
Practice the application of the concept; the how.

Purpose of
Informational Writing

Research

Informational writing skills sets up students to be college

and career ready.

The ability to write informational text is the number one

most desired job market skill.
One of the important ways we can prepare students for the
world outside of school and for later education is to be sure
that they grow up comfortable using writing as a tool to
synthesize, organize, reflect on, and teach knowledge.
(Lucy Calkins, 2013)

Pedagogy of
Informational Writing

What is Informational Writing?

Informational writing
conveys information accurately
educates readers
imparts straightforward information and facts, but never personal
opinions
increase the readers knowledge; help the reader better understand
a procedure or process, or to increase the readers comprehension of
a concept
provides explanations and evidence
answers questions of why? or how?
(Baltimore County Public Schools website, www.bcps.org, 2016)

What is Informational Writing?

Examples of informational writing
Newspaper articles
Research articles
Autobiographies
Essays/articles that help a reader understand how something
works

"How to Clean a Polyester Shirt,"

"Understanding the Link Between Lung Cancer and Cigarettes
"The Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

What is Informational Writing?

Writers draw information from what

they already know and from primary
and secondary sources.

Writers must select and incorporate

relevant examples, facts, and details.

(Baltimore County Public Schools website, www.bcps.org,

2016)

Turn and teach

With a partner, take turns to

recite, in your own words, the

meaning of informational writing.

Share outs

Layout of
Informational Writing
Pieces

Informational writing Layout

1.) Introduction
Hook
Thesis statement (Subject + Big Idea)
2.) Body
Details and examples (for each subtopic)
Organizers
3.) Conclusion
Restate the Big Idea
Snappy Ending

Introduction
Hook aka Catch
How will you engage your readers? How will you catch their attention?
Hooks are typically written at the start of the introduction.
Example:
Taking a deeper look into recycling can be incredible.
Brace yourself as we jump from the high dive into the world of
recycling.

Introduction
Subject + Big Idea aka the purpose
What is the subject of your writing? What is the purpose for writing on
this subject?
This is the thesis statement; it tells the reader what you are
writing about.
It is an organizing principle of the text and usually appears in the
introductory paragraph, often at the end.
Example:
Recycling has many benefits such as reducing environmental
pollution, protecting animals, and even making a little extra cash.

Body
Details and Examples
What ways can you help the reader visualize/understand what you are
writing about? What specific details do the readers need to know?
Details and examples support the writers main idea and makes
the writing piece richer.

Organizers
What kind of informational writing is this? How will you organize this
information?
Helps to clarify the type of information being shared.
It also helps the reader understand the writers purpose.

Conclusion
Restate Subject + Big Idea
How will you wrap up your informational writing piece? How will you
remind the readers what the purpose is?
By restating the main idea of a writing piece, you remind the reader
what the purpose is.
This is where all the information is synthesized (wrap it up).

Snappy Ending
How will you ensure that your readers remember your writing? How will
you impact your readers?
Snappy endings help leave an impression on your readers.
It helps strengthen your purpose.

How to start Writing

Informational Texts

Steps to Start your

informational Writing
Step 1) Select a Subject (topic)
Step 2) Identify the Big Idea (purpose for writing)
Why is writing about this subject important?
Youll need to do more investigating to inform yourself on the topic

Step 3) Ask yourself

Am I writing to Inform?
Am I writing to Describe?
Am I writing to Explain?
Am I writing to Analyze?

Step 4) Based on the question selected, you can ORGANIZE your

information to prepare for writing.
Step 5) Generate a thesis statement (should relate to your SUBJECT +
BIG IDEA)

Types

of

Informational Writing

Inform tells about the subject (categorical)

Describe illustrates the subject and explains its functions (depict &
explain)

Explain explains steps/ ways to do something/ the cycle of the

subject and or events (sequential order)

Analyze deeper type of information that explains why

the cause & effect (change)

compares & contrasts

I.D.E.A. can help you remember different types of informational

writing that you can choose from to help organize your information.

Quick recap
Once you have
1.selected a subject/topic
2.identified the big idea
3.selected what type of informational writing you will write
4.organized your information
5.generated a thesis statement
6.Begin your drafting!

Lets put it all together

Activity
In small groups of 4
You will write about the different types of IW on an anchor
chart.
(10 minutes)
Be creative!
Remember to use illustrations!

How to Organize
Informational Writing

HOOK
Introduction

etting (optional)
Time/ Place

ubject
who/ what is this
information about?

Big IDEA
why is this so
Important?

Inform: Tells about the subject (using categories)

Body

Describe: helps readers see/visualize all the parts and the functions
of the subject (depicts and explains)

Explain: explains steps/ ways to do something/ shares the cycle of the

subject and or events (sequential order).

Analyze: is the deeper type of information that explains the why

1) cause & effect (change) and 2) compares & contrasts

Conclusion

Snappy Ending

Inform: Categories
Introductio
n

Fact #1 details/examples
Body

Fact #2 details/examples
Fact #3 details/examples

Conclusion

Describe: Depict & Explain

Introductio
n

Definition

1) Description and Examples

2) Description and Examples
Body

3) Description and Examples

Also includes a picture, labels and description of
their function.

Conclusion

Explain: Sequence
Introductio
n

First,
Body

Next,
Last,

Conclusion

Analyze: Cause & Effect

Introductio
n

Before What was the starting state?

Body

Change What caused the change? (issues, events,

etc.)
After What was the result?

Conclusion

Analyze: Compare & Contrast

Introductio
n

1.) How are the two subjects different? Why?

Body

Conclusion

2.) How are the two subjects the same? Why?

Activity
With a partner
read the different types of writing samples
Distinguish which writing sample falls under which of the
IDEA categories.
Write the category on the top and a brief explain how you
know that.

Inform: Categories
Introducti
on

Body

Conclusio

Plants are helpful to humans and animals in many ways.

They have very interesting functions that support the health
of living things in many ways. Plants are helpful to humans
and animals in that they clean our air that we breathe and
produce fruits and vegetables that we eat.
All plants serve as air filters to help clean the air we
breathe. Plants such as trees and bushes use carbon dioxide
to produce food for themselves. As they take in carbon
dioxide, they release cleaner air, oxygen. This makes it
easier to breathe. Not only are they helpful in breathing but
they also help keep us nourished.
Many plants also produce edible fruits and vegetables
that are packed with nutrients. These foods include
tomatoes and strawberries. Some of us eat them in salads or
in smoothies. We use these foods from plants because they
are packed with vitamins and nutrients. This jus shows that
plants serve a very important part in our environment.
In conclusion, plants have many purposes. They help
produce clean air to breathe and produce foods for us to eat.

Describe: Depict & Explain

Introducti
on

Body

Conclusio
n

Plants have features that make them unique from other

living organisms. Plants are a living organisms such as trees,
shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses. Typically, plants
grow in the ground or in pots. Plants have many
characteristics that make a plant a plant.
Plants have roots. Roots are hair like parts of the plant
that grow underground. Roots get water from the ground to
nourish the plant. They also help to hold the plant in place.
Big plants like trees have bigger roots. Smaller plants like
roses have smaller roots.
Plants also may have stems. Stems are arm like features
of the plant. These stems grow above ground. Some stems
produce leaves, flowers, and or fruits. The leaves of a plant
are typically green of many shades. The floral part of the
plant varies in color. These are only some of many
characteristics of plants.
All in all, plants have different features that make each
plant unique. They have roots of different sizes and branches
that produce different features such as leaves, flowers, and
or fruit. Plants are just as unique as you and me.

Explain: Sequence
Introducti
on

Body

Conclusio
n

Many people enjoy gardening and planting a new plant in

their gardens. For some, this may be a breeze. But for
others, it may be a challenge. However, planting in a pot
tends to be the easiest method of planting. Together, we will
walk through the steps of planting using a pot.
First, you will need to fill your pot with soil. Use a hand
shovel to scoop soil into the pot until it is a little more than
halfway full. You do not need to pack it into the pot because
you will need to allow air to flow through the dirt.
Next, use your hand shovel to dig a small hole in the
center of the pot. The hole should be about the size of a
baseball. After digging out the hole, add your seeds and
cover the seeds with the dirt that you dug out.
Last, use a watering can to sprinkle water over your seeds.
Pour just enough to moisten the dirt but not too much or
your dirt will become runny, which is bad for the seeds. You
will need to water regularly.
You are now done planting a plant in a pot. All you will
need to do is water regularly and make sure your plant
receives appropriate sunlight. Now, watch it grow!

Analyze: Cause & Effect

Introducti
on

Body

Trees serve as habitats for many animals. Unfortunately,

there is a large amount of trees being cut down every year
in the amazon forest. According to trees.com, deforestation
is happening at a faster pace than ever before. As a result,
many animals are being harmed and are left without homes.
Animals that live in the amazon forest find their homes in
their natural habitat. The monkeys and birds find their home
among the branches high above ground to be safe from
predators. However, deforestation effects this natural living
for the amazon animals.
According to trees.com, deforestation has become more
prevalent in the region of the amazon. Trees are being cut
down to produce paper and other office supplies. Companies
have been interested in cutting down 500 thousand acres of
land daily. This means, more and more trees and habitats
are being destroyed.
Unfortunately, animals such as monkeys are being
displaced and are dying at a much more rapid pace. They
are no longer protected.
Deforestation is harming the lives of many animals. Due

Analyze: Compare & Contrast

Introducti
on

Body

Conclusio
n

The spotlight is on animals that build their own home.

Prairie dogs, beavers, and alligators are both similar and
different in nature. They be alike in the way they build
homes, but they certainly take different approaches.
In the passage by Addison Clark we learn that prairie
dogs, beavers, and alligators all build homes for safety and
comfort. They work to make a place that will protect them
from other predators. For example, the beaver makes the
entrance to the dam underwater to keep other animals from
coming inside. This is a creative way to protect themselves
from predators.
These animals work hard to live safely.
On the other hand, prairie dogs, beavers, and alligators
go about building homes differently. Prairie dogs build
underground, beavers in the water, and alligators at the
edge of the water. Each animal requires a different location
to best meet its needs.
All things considered, prairie dogs, beavers, and alligators
are both alike and different when it comes to homes. They
are alike in their reasons, but different in their methods.
Animals have unique habits in the world of nature.

Practice of
Informational Writing

Your Turn!
In groups of 4, you will
1.Read your article related to your topic.
2.Use any media to find out more information about that topic.
3.Brainstorm ideas.
4.Decide what type of writing you would like to do.
5.Begin to write your introduction.

It should include: hook and Thesis statement (S + Big Idea)

(20 minutes)

Closure & Reflection

Closure

Informational writing is broad it is important to organize and to be

creative.

Informational writing can be easily described using its

characteristics (there is no real definition of IW).

The majority of your writing pieces may be to INFORM and or to

ANALYZE.

However, there is no limit to what you can write.

All IW pieces must use transitional sentences, include details and

explanations, facts and avoid opinions.

Learning Targets
I can
recite the meaning of IW by stating it in my own words to a partner.
show the layout of IW by writing, labeling, and illustrating it on an
anchor chart.
distinguish the types of IW by labeling and providing an explanation
for writing samples of each (I.D.E.A.)
investigate a topic by searching for information using articles,
internet, books, etc.
create an introduction paragraph for an IW piece by including a hook
and a thesis statement (Subject + Big Idea).

Driving Question

How can we, as after school educators, create lessons

that support and enhance our students informational
writing skills?

Namaste!