Subject: Language Arts Grade: Six

Standard #5 Writing: Applications

Key Concept: Write expository compositions, such as descriptions, explanations, comparison and contrast papers, and problem and solution essays.

Generalization: Expository essays are often good ways to encourage critical thinking as students must analyze a situation and come to a conclusion.

Background: Students will do this assignment after they have a general knowledge of the form for writing a short essay. This essay is three paragraphs: introduction, explanation with key support, and conclusion. This is not a 500-750 word essay, but helps prepare the way for the longer 500-750 word essay.

This lesson is tiered in content according to interest.

Tier I: Sports

Students in this group will write a three paragraph essay in which they state a thesis and support the thesis with evidence concerning a sporting event that they wish to discuss. In the first paragraph, they need to establish a thesis that will guide the rest of the paper; in the second paragraph, they need to give a clear example of the thesis; in the third and final paragraph, they need to summarize the importance of the issue, returning to the thesis idea.

Tier II: Nature

Students in this group will write a three paragraph essay in which they state and support a thesis with evidence concerning an event in nature that they wish to discuss (e.g., bird watching, gardening, hiking). The essay will gain strength from the development of a strong thesis statement that guides the thoughts in the rest of the essay. The second paragraph should give a clear example of the idea expressed in the thesis statement; the third paragraph should conclude the ideas expressed, returning to the thesis statement.

Tier III: Reading

Students in this group will write a three paragraph essay in which they state and support a thesis with evidence concerning the value of reading new literature. The essay will gain strength from the development of a thesis statement that clearly directs the thoughts. Paragraph two will provide a clear example of reading new literature and its value for the reader, and paragraph three should conclude the idea as well as return to the thesis provided.

Assessment:

Students will turn in the product they produce for feedback. Central to the feedback should be the quality of the thesis statement, the support offered in the second paragraph, and the conclusion provided in the third paragraph. A good first step to the assessment would be to have students in the same group do peer review for each other's work. Then students could revise their work and submit their essays for assessment from the teacher. This is an excellent forerunner to the longer essay that can build on this and add more central paragraph examples (the five paragraph or 500-750 word essay).

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