These are a collection of lessons to practice writing the four genres: narrative, expository, persuasive and descriptive.

Paper, pencil, dictionaries (English and Spanish/English), thesaurus, and visuals.
 
 

Subject : English Language Arts
Topic: Writing
Grade Level: 6-8 grade
Student lesson name and URL:
http://ctap295.ctaponline.org/~rmeza/#activities

Sixth Grade
Language Arts

 
1.1 Choose the form of writing that best suits the intended purpose. 

1.2 Create multiple-paragraph expository compositions. 
 

Research and Technology: 

1.4. Use organizational features of electronic text  to locate information.
 

Revising and Evaluating Writing: 

1.6. Revise writing to improve organization and consistency of ideas within and between paragraphs.
 

2.1 Write a narrative.

2.2 Write expository a composition 

2.3 Write a research report. 

2.5 Write a persuasive composition.
 
 

# Students will be able to write four writing assignments using the four genres: descriptive, persuasive, narrative and expository. 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 

# Students will write a poem using given parts of speech. (descriptive) 1.6, 2.

# Students will use logical thinking skills to write a persuasive essay. (persuasive)1.2, 1.6,  2.5

# Students will use computer skills to locate information. 1.4

# After collecting information on the internet and the library, students will be able to use the information to make an animal report. (expository) 1.2, 1.6,  2.2

# Students will be able to identify the four genres of writing when shown a given text. 1.1, 

 
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** Writing Process for all creative writing assignments
     1) brainstorm ideas
     2) prewrite
     3) edit:     -self edit      - peer edit 
     4) rewrite
     5) edit:    - self edit      - peer edit      - teacher edit (if you choose)
     6) final writing on computer or longhand in cursive
 

WEEK ONE:
Day One: 

1. Students take pre-test. 
2. Discussion about the four genres of writing.  Discussion to include:  naming the four types,  listing examples and going over any genre that they may have already used.
3. Descriptive Writing: 1.1
Topic of the Week-  Bio Poem

INTRODUCTION: 
Make a copy of Bio Poem on large sheet of paper or make an overhead copy to use as an example.  Teacher and class discuss ideas as the teacher makes a poem about his/her life.

ACTIVITY: 
Students are given their  copy of Bio Poem sheet  to and make their poem using the above writing process.  This sheet is used for the first draft only.  For the rewrites and final drafts, students write on regular lined paper.

PRESENTATION: 
All students read poem to class. 
* This presentation can be video taped to be seen later in the year or at parent activities ie. Back to School. 
* This presentation can be tape recorded. 
* Students can visit other classrooms and present poems.
* Students can go to another class and teach them how to write a Bio Poem.

1.  Discussion about the four genres of writing.  Specifically this week the students will try to convince someone to think about things their way. 
2.  Persuasive Writing: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Topic of the Week-  Choose one:

- "What Would Make This School A Better Place" 
Give at least five things that would make the school better and why .
- "Should The School Day Be Longer or Shorter?"
Give at least five reasons what you would do with your extra time and how would that be productive.
- "My New Pet"
Give at least five reasons why your parents should let you keep the animal that followed you home.

INTRODUCTION: 
Go over the three topic choices and brainstorm ideas for each.  Write any key words brought out by the discussion on a large sheet for reference during the week.
Suggestion:  Get students into the habit of sticking to a topic once they choose it.

ACTIVITY: 
Students write their essay using the above writing process.  Students can help eachother or work individually.

PRESENTATION: 
Students should be encouraged to read writing to the class.  These writings should be collected in a student file for future reference.

1.  Discussion about the four genres of writing.  Specifically this week the students will be telling about something that happened to them. 
2.  Narrative Writing: 
Topic of the Week-  Choose one: 

- "The Best Day of My Life" or  "The Worst Day of My Life"
Include:
How old were you?, Where were you at?, What happened?, How did you feel?, Who was with you?, What did you do?  etc.

INTRODUCTION: 
Go over the two topic choices and brainstorm ideas for each.  Write any key words brought out by the discussion on a large sheet for reference during the week.
Suggestion:  Get students into the habit of sticking to a topic once they choose it.

ACTIVITY: 
Students write their essay using the above writing process.  Students can help eachother or work individually.

PRESENTATION: 
Students should be encouraged to read writing to the class.  These writings should be collected in a student file for future reference.

1.  Discussion about the four genres of writing.  Specifically this week the students will be writing a report on animals.

2.  Expository Writing: 1.1, 1.2,
Topic of the Week- "The (animal)"

INTRODUCTION: 
Go over the Animal Sheet and brainstorm ideas for where to look for information. 

Suggestion:  Get students into the habit of sticking to a topic once they choose it.
 

ACTIVITY: 
Students write their essay using the above writing process.  Students can help eachother or work individually.

*This report can be on the computer using a variety of programs ie. HyperStudio.
* An art project of the animal could be included.
 

PRESENTATION: Students will present their report to the class along with the art project.  These writings should be collected in a student file for future reference.

Students will be observed on an ongoing basis to check "time on task".
On the fifth day of each lesson, each student will have a composition using the "genre" of the week.
Compositions will be graded on standard writing conventions, proper grammar usage, and creativity.
 
 

Introductory Activity
List and link the web resources for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

Enabling Activity
List and link the web resources for your learning activity(ies) here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

Culminating Activity

School Name (link to your school's homepage if you have one.)
School Location
Your Name and e-mail address
Last Revised: 06/30/2000 (insert and update last revision date every time you work on this page.)