Plan Summary

Structure of a Paragraph
Implementation Date: 9/17/2015

Author: Margaret Heinsohn

Common Core Standard(s):

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4 Produce
clear and coherent writing in which the
development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience. (Grade-specific expectations for
writing types are defined in standards 1-3
above.)

Overall 30 Day Learning Goals:

Following this unit, students will be able to

use proper paragraph structure (which
include topic, supporting, and concluding
sentences) to write a paragraph.

30 Day Summative Assessment Tools:

At the end of this unit students will be

graded on a paragraph they will write
which should contain all proper elements
as defined in writing standards for Grades
9-10.

Plan Outline
Week One
Students will thoroughly learn the

5 Day(s)

four main features of a paragraph.

(topic sentence, related sentences in
the body, a logical conclusion,
and indenting) They will explore 3
types of paragraphs: definition,
process analysis, and narrative.
Weekly Summative Assessment: Students will write for 25 minutes on a given topic.
They should complete 6-10 complete sentences.

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Plan Details
Week One
Learning Target: Students will thoroughly learn the four main features of a
paragraph. (topic sentence, related sentences in the body, a logical conclusion,
and indenting) They will explore 3 types of paragraphs: definition, process
analysis, and narrative.
Learning Task:

After reviewing the elements of good paragraphs

in class on the smart board, students will be
given sample paragraphs which we will review
together on the board to inspect their elements.
After this, students will receive a worksheet
which contains a paragraph in which they will
analyze its features for topic sentences,
indenting, support sentences, and a conclusion.

Number of Days:

Feedback Strategy:

Students will receive written feedback on their

performance on this in-class assignment.

Learning Task:

We will read together a definition paragraph. We

will discuss the paragraphs contents and its use
of simple present tense verbs. Students will
attempt to summarize the paragraph into one
present-tense sentence in their own words.
Then, students will write in their journal about
something unique about them. This could be a
skill, hobby, feature, or friendship. They will state
what is unique in the present tense and then
explain it in 3-5 sentences.

Number of Days:

Feedback Strategy:

Journals will be collected and students given

feedback about their usage of the present tense
verbs and that their sentences related to the
topic.

Learning Task:

Today, I will show the students a slide show on

how to do a task. In this case, make instant
noodles. I will use the imperative form and speak
slowly. The students will try to write down what I
say. Then they will be asked to circle all of the
verbs on their paper. We will review the
imperative verb form and its uses. Students will
work with a partner. They will be given a prompt
with a task on it. Together they must write at
least 4 steps to completing the process. Ex. send
a text message, make a food, walk home. They
will share their steps to the class.

Number of Days:

Feedback Strategy:

The class activity will be a pulse check for

student understanding. Students will complete
another process paragraph individually at the
end of class. This will be corrected by the
teacher and the students will receive
individualized feedback.

Learning Task:

Today, students will explore narrative

paragraphs. We will begin with a class
discussion on when the students felt strongly
during an experience. They can share with the
class what happened and how they felt. Students
will read a narrative story about a student's first
time flying in an airplane.Then they will edit the
text with a partner. They will underline the

subjects in the paragraph and circle all of the

verbs. After this we will discuss narrative
paragraphs and the usage of the past-tense.
Then students will make 4 questions that they
would ask another student about their first flight.
They will interview each other and write the
results of the sentences in a small narrative
paragraph in their journals.
Number of Days:

Feedback Strategy:

While students are writing and asking the

questions, I will circle the room to make sure they
are on topic and using the correct verb tenses.

Learning Task:

Today, we will begin by reviewing the week. We

will once again cover the elements in a
paragraph and the 3 types of paragraphs we
practiced this week. Then the students will
complete their weekly summative assessment in
which they will write for 25 minutes. They will be
able to choose which type of paragraph writing to
use.

Number of Days:

Feedback Strategy:

I will correct their papers to give feedback on

whether they used the proper elements for the
type of paragraph they chose.

Weekly Summative Assessment: Students will write for 25 minutes on a given topic.
They should complete 6-10 complete sentences.