Writing Lesson Plans
These writing lessons are based on the California Writing Standards as well as a program
called Excellence in Writing. It will show the students how to use a dictionary and
thesaurus properly to enhance their writing. Also the student will be introduced to the
concept of No Way Words, which are words that are overused and how to dress up their
writing. The students will get as much as they are willing to do. Each grade level will be
responsible for what is expected for them. This program diversifies to the level of the
student naturally. There may be homework if a student does not finish the required work
in the allotted time period.
Plans and Writing Standards
9/06/12 Introduction
No Writing- answers are oral
Dictionary Skill - Guide words, syllables, part of speech, pronunciations, definitions, use
in a sentence
Thesaurus Skill - Guide words, synonyms, antonyms, part of speech
IPad dictionary and thesaurus skill - point out differences to book
Have all look up words - using both the dictionary and IPad- half the class on each
as many as have time- students will answer as called upon.
For each word will find guide words, syllables, part of speech, definition, use in sentence.
Words
nature, predator, prey, river, lake, waves, animal
9/10/12
Pass out Writing Folders- have students find an adjective using their initial in Thesaurus
and put it on their Name Plate with their Name - best to use the book
Start on Definitions- students will write the word and the first definition- paper due at end
of writing on 9/13/12
9/13/12
Turn in definitions- Introduce Haiku
Will be making a class book of Nature Haikus
Each student will write four (4) haikus, one on the ocean, second on a lake, third on a
river and fourth about nature.
Set up
5 syllables- Who, what
7 syllables- where, describe
5 syllables- why, how come
Students turn in when finish all 4 for Mrs. Charles to type and print. Students will then
decorate their page with color pencil.
Hope for a page from each TEACHER.
9/17/12
Work on Haikus - all haikus should be complete and turned in for typing and printing
9/20/12
Pass out NWW Folders- have students write adjective and name on Name Plate
Set up pages for NWW as directed,
Skip first three (3) pages, leaving them blank. Rest of pages will make "boxes" using
rulers and pen as directed.
After put pen and ruler away continue decorating Haiku page. If Haiku page is in the
class notebook, completed and NWW folder is set up, may sign up for their animal report
from choices given and get the new definitions page as well as the NWW List.
9/24/12
All Haikus should be in class book.
Students will copy the following rules onto the first pages of their NWW Folder
No Way Word Rules
1. A NWW is a word that is overused.
2. Any 3-letter adjective, adverb, or verb is probably a No Way Word.
3. Many 4 and 5-letter adjectives, adverbs, and verbs are No Way Words.
4. I promise to never use a NWW in any writing if possible.
______________________ signature.
Paragraph Rules
1. The first word of all paragraphs should be indented.
2. Skip lines in all writing and only use one side of the paper.
3. All paragraphs should have at least one adverb, adjective and strong verbs.
4. The first two (2) sentences of a paragraph should answer the following: Who, what,
when, where, how come or why.
Proofreading Markssp- correct spelling
NWW- no way word
9/27/12
adj.- need an adjective
adv.- need an adverb
- indent first word of paragraph
Finish rules and symbols- students sign up for animal from list. Start on definitions using
dictionary and IPad.
Word List Antarctica, glacier, arctic, ice, snow, beach, seal, penguin, whale, krill
10/01/12
Finish definitions and turn in for credit. Work on NWW List.
Partner students
Students will use the online LUSSD site encyclopedia as well as a book or Encyclopedia
for this report. Must have book/encyclopedia by Oct. 8, 2012
10/11/12
In NWW Folder on one of the front pages- How to write a bibliography for the following:
Encyclopedia, book, dictionary, thesaurus, Internet
Writing Standards to be covered for the next few weeks are as follows:
Grade 3- W.2,4,6,7,8
Grade 4- W. 2,6,7,8,9 Grade 5- W.4,6,7,8,9
10/08/12
Start on Outline for report Third grade will write three (3 ) paragraphs, fourth grade will
write four (4) paragraphs and fifth grade will write five (5) paragraphs.
Paragraph One (All grades)
I. animal (who), classification (what), location (where), why
2. Description of animal- at least two (2) details
3. Fun fact about animal.
4. Another fact or two about animal
Paragraph Two (All grades)
II Location, what, who, why, when (migrate?)
2.. Describe location
3. Fun fact about location
4. At least two more details about location.
Paragraph Three ( All grades)
III animal, family life
2. Facts about progeny
3. How live
4. Fun fact
Paragraph Four ( Grades 4 and 5)
IV Animal, food- diet
2. How "hunts"
3. Fun fact about food
4. Family- share food? or what
Paragraph Five ( Grade 5)
V. Animal, family, food, location
2. How do we learn about this animal
3. Fun fact about learning
4. Most important fact you learned.
Outlines will be due Oct. 15, 2012 -end of writing period
10/11/12
Work on outline using books, IPad/internet
10/15/12
Finish outlines, turn in for credit
10/18/12
Pass back outlines
Introduce first sentence page
Help students write first sentence
Students write Bibliography of Book and Ipad used on 3x5 card with animal name so
books may be returned.
Students write rough draft using outline only- no books or IPad needed.
10/22/12
Continue writing rough draft
10/25/12
Continue on rough draft will need to be finished by Oct. 29, 2012 for partner share and
corrections
10/29/12
Read rough draft aloud to partner, Partner checks rough draft and marks with pen any
corrections needed using proofreading marks.
Copy rough draft with corrections. Both rough drafts with outline due Nov.1, 2012 at
end of writing session.
Writing Standards Grade 3- W.5, Grade 4- W.5, Grade 5- W.5
11/01/12
Finish copying rough draft with corrections- at end of writing period turn in
Outline, First rough draft and second rough draft.. Mrs. Charles will then proofread and
give credit.
11/05/12
Students write Bibliography page
Book or Encyclopedia
IPad
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Start on final copy- make sure to put in any corrections and always use your neatest
writing.
11/08/12
Continue on final copy. When finished may draw a picture of the animal, turn in with all
work completed to teacher on Nov. 15, 2012 (Please see 11/15/12 for what is to be
turned in)
Work on NWW list
11/13/2012
Final copy, picture, NWW List
11/15/12
Final copy due
Writing Standards Grade 3- W.2
Grade 4 - W.2
Grade 5 - W.2
Turn into teacher
Definitions
Outline
First Rough draft
Second rough draft
Bibliography
Final Copy
Cover- picture of animal- drawn!!!!!!!!
NWW List- turn in folder to Mrs. Charles at end of writing period for credit
11/26/12
Return NWW Folders
Writing Standards Grade 3 - W.1 Grade 4- W.1
Grade 5- W.1
Point of View / Persuasive
talk about uniforms- discussion
Pass out definitions page.
Word List
uniform, persuade, observe, individual, interview, conform, identity, individual, identify,
conformity, individuality
11/29/12
Work on definitions will be due December 3, 2012 at end of writing session.
12/03/12
Finish definitions- turn in for credit. Work on NWW List
12/06/12
Interview bibliography in NWW Folder
Questions for interview student will be doing- at least 10 questions- practice interviewing
with partner
12/10/12
Interview a parent, teacher, student or staff- write answers down.
Work on NWW List
12/13/12
Interview with questions due to Mrs. Charles for credit- not rewritten- Just the notes
12/17/12
Review interview- decide on your point of view and why- write it down on 3x5 card
Put all away in Writing folder
Work on NWW List
The rest of the lesson plans will be given before Winter (Christmas) Break