Make sure your writers have the buns and the meat in their paragraph burgers with paragraph exercises. The resource gradually leads up to individuals writing their own paragraphs, starting with identification exercises, moving on to a...

Print out this handy reference page double sided and distribute it to your class. Individuals can use the page to aid them as they work on their topic sentences, transitions, conclusions, and paragraph structure. There is plenty of...

Encourage your class to revise their writing and check over their work by requiring them to complete an organization checklist. The checklist, created specifically for a accordion-style essay, asks writers to look over their formatting,...

Once fourth graders reach the end of their research paper, have them end on a high note with a video about conclusions. At just under five minutes, the video is a short and effective way to help sure kids wrap up their writing. Their...

Present the class with a slide show that will give them a great head start in writing expository and narrative texts. The information is highlighted for easy note taking, well organized, and presented in a kid-friendly manner. It...

Round out an explanatory essay with a lesson dedicated to writing the conclusion. This is the fifth of a six part series that walks through several of the major steps of writing an informational essay. After a brief review of what's been...

Want a simple way to begin the class on writing a conclusion sentence? Watch this. An instructor walks learners through the basic formula of rewording the body of the paragraph to create an appropriate ending: 1) Reread the writing...

"A weak conclusion leaves the reader with an unfinished argument." Don't let your young writers fall into this trap! This is a great method for writing a concluding paragraph to an argumentative essay, which includes summarizing the main...

Introduce middle school scientists to scientific variables and the scientific method with a musical video. The song is a delightful parody of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." It belts out the definitions of controlled,...

Are you working on an essay in your class? If so, consider this resource, which provides some information about a concluding paragraph. Writers might use one of the provided transition words to begin their concluding paragraphs in the...

Multiple heads are better than one! Learners pair up to write short stories that have three solid paragraphs: the introduction, body, and conclusion. To keep all learners on track, the teacher times each segment. Consider including time...

During the first week of your biology course, you may want to familiarize learners with Greek and Latin root words to strengthen their scientific vocabulary. You can also give them definitions of science and biology. Introduce the five...

Need a quick review of the format of the five-paragraph essay? The strength of this presentation is in the color-highlighted examples used to illustrate the terms. Consider adding additional slides that provide a model of a complete essay.

Introducing your class to essay writing? The gentle tone, concise explanations, and clear examples provided by a 17-slide presentation introduces young writers to the expository essay format. All that's missing is a complete essay with...

The seven slides in this presentation provide a quick review of the format for the traditional five-paragraph essay. Although no models are included, the sample worksheet could be reproduced for your pupils' notebooks.

Eighth graders complete a graphic organizer to help them prepare their thoughts for a persuasive piece of writing. They list the topic of their paper, arguments they will use, and details that support their contentions. After restating...

A Six-Trait Writing instructional activity helps your middle schoolers liven up their word choice and shows them how to evaluate their own writing. Class members take a close look at the language used in poems by Shakespeare, Kipling,...

While the focus of this activity is on writing about tornadoes, any topic could be substituted. The activity provides a well-thought out overview of the writing process. Learners come up with a thesis statement, supporting  details, and...

Writing a persuasive argument starts with a clear thesis. Using this resource, your class will write a persuasive paper on a conservation issue. They will then transform their argument into a 30-second public service announcement. If...

Review the components of a well-written paragraph with your class. Be sure your writers include a topic sentence supported with main ideas and followed by a conclusion. Unity, coherence, and transition words are emphasized. Experiment...

Review the characteristics of a great process paragraph! Display the need for unity, transitions, and parts of a paragraph with the models included in this PowerPoint. After a first run through (with a model), use a student example to...

How is a story like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Use making a sandwich as a metaphor to remind your writers that a good, solid beginning, a rich and rewarding middle, and an ending that brings everything together spices up a...

Does your class love reading cartoons? Use their talents and interests to examine the process of writing a story they wish to tell through a cartoon. They develop the beginning, middle, and end of a story based on their original...

Build the skills your budding authors need to develop to compose well-structured paragraphs. Give them the topic sheet (included here), and have them write a cohesive paragraph using the ideas listed. Consider having them include two...