Lesson 1: Introduction to Expository Writing & Understanding Structure Objective: • Students will understand the structure of an expository essay and the purpose of expository writing. • Students will begin to plan their own expository essays. Materials: • Whiteboard/Smartboard • Chart paper or Google Docs for group work • Examples of expository essays (simplified, medium, and complex versions) • Graphic organizers (e.g., essay outline, Venn diagrams) • Sticky notes Differentiated Tasks: • Tier 1 Students: Provide a simplified version of the expository essay structure and guide them through brainstorming using a pre-filled graphic organizer. • Tier 2 students: Encourage students to analyze a medium-level expository essay and extract key features (e.g., thesis, supporting evidence). • Tier 3 students: Present a more complex expository essay and ask students to evaluate the use of transitional phrases, tone, and argumentation. They can also identify areas for improvement or deeper analysis. Activity 1: Exploring Expository Writing (20 minutes) • Warm-Up Discussion: Ask students what they know about expository writing. What is its purpose? Where do we see it in everyday life (e.g., instruction manuals, news articles)? • Mini-Lecture: Present an overview of expository writing, focusing on its structure (introduction, body paragraphs with evidence, conclusion). Activity 2: Analyzing Expository Essays (25 minutes) • Divide students into small groups by proficiency tier (allowing for both peer learning and targeted instruction). • Tier 1: Students are given a simplified expository essay and fill out a graphic organizer outlining the main points and structure. • Tier 2: Students work with a medium-level expository essay and analyze it together, discussing thesis statements, main ideas, and supporting evidence. • Tier 3: Students read a complex expository essay, and in pairs, they analyze its argumentation style and evaluate the clarity of evidence presented. They share their findings with the class. Activity 3: Independent Planning (10 minutes) • Students use a graphic organizer to begin planning their own expository essays on a topic of their choice. They should outline the introduction, key points for each body paragraph, and the conclusion. Homework: • Students complete the first draft of their outline with supporting details. Lesson 2: Building Strong Body Paragraphs Objective: • Students will learn how to create coherent body paragraphs that support their thesis statement using evidence. • Students will practice integrating quotes, examples, and explanations into their writing. Materials: • Expository writing rubric • Example body paragraphs (different quality levels) • Sentence starters and transitions chart • Peer review checklist Differentiated Tasks: • Tier 1: Provide sentence starters and a simplified rubric for peer review. Support struggling writers with one-on-one conferencing during the group activity. • Tier 2: Encourage students to focus on improving paragraph coherence and logical flow. Provide scaffolded feedback and ensure they are using appropriate transitions. • Tier 3: Challenge students to incorporate counterarguments or multiple perspectives into their body paragraphs for deeper analysis. Activity 1: Expository Paragraph Structure (20 minutes) • Review the components of a well-written body paragraph: topic sentence, supporting evidence, and explanation. • Mini-Lecture: Present examples of weak and strong body paragraphs, guiding students to identify what makes the stronger one more effective. Activity 2: Group Practice (20 minutes) • Tier 1: Using a graphic organizer, students work in groups to build a body paragraph together. They start with a topic sentence, then find evidence to support it (from their research or knowledge), and provide an explanation. • Tier 2: Students collaborate in pairs or small groups to write one body paragraph using evidence and clear explanations. Each group member focuses on a different part of the paragraph, and then they combine their work. • Tier 3: Students are asked to write two body paragraphs independently, integrating multiple sources or perspectives. Afterward, they exchange their paragraphs for peer feedback. Activity 3: Peer Review (15 minutes) • Peer Review: Students use the rubric to review each other’s paragraphs. In groups, they provide feedback on clarity, coherence, and use of evidence. • Students revise their body paragraphs based on feedback received. Homework: • Write two more body paragraphs, ensuring they integrate evidence and clear explanations. Lesson 3: Crafting an Effective Conclusion & Final Edits Objective: • Students will learn how to write a strong conclusion that reinforces their thesis and leaves a lasting impression. • Students will revise their drafts based on peer feedback and teacher input. Materials: • Conclusion examples (both strong and weak) • Rubrics for self-assessment and peer feedback • Laptops/tablets for revisions • Checklist for final draft Differentiated Tasks: • Tier 1: Provide a “Conclusion Formula” chart for scaffolding (e.g., restate thesis, summarize key points, end with a thought-provoking statement). One-on-one conferences for feedback. • Tier 2: Provide additional examples of strong conclusions, highlighting key phrases to use for summarizing and closing. • Tier 3: Challenge students to not only summarize but also connect their thesis to a broader context or implication. Activity 1: Writing Conclusions (15 minutes) • Mini-Lecture: Discuss how to write a conclusion, emphasizing how it should restate the thesis, summarize key points, and possibly offer a call to action or thought-provoking statement. • Analyze examples of weak and strong conclusions. Activity 2: Conclusion Writing Practice (15 minutes) • Students write their own conclusions based on the structure provided. • Tier 1: Use sentence frames or a “Conclusion Formula” to help students structure their final thoughts. • Tier 2: Encourage students to revise their conclusions to make them more thought-provoking and impactful. • Tier 3: Challenge students to connect their conclusion to a broader societal issue or a real-world application. Activity 3: Final Draft Edits (20 minutes) • Peer Review: Students exchange drafts with a peer and provide feedback based on a checklist (e.g., thesis clarity, body paragraph coherence, strong conclusion). • Students make revisions to their essays based on peer and teacher feedback. Activity 4: Final Self-Assessment (10 minutes) • Using the rubric, students assess their own essays, identifying areas of strength and areas that need improvement. Homework: • Final draft of the expository essay. Assessment and Reflection: • After the final lesson, students submit their polished expository essays. • Teacher provides feedback with targeted suggestions for improvement. • Encourage students to reflect on their writing process (through a reflection journal or class discussion). Differentiation Techniques Summary: • Tier 1 (Struggling Learners): Simplified instructions, graphic organizers, sentence starters, and individualized conferencing. • Tier 2 (On-level Learners): Scaffolded peer review, more complex examples, and moderate writing challenges. • Tier 3 (Advanced Learners): Extended analysis tasks, peer teaching, and opportunities for deeper exploration of counterarguments or multiple perspectives.
