Expository Writing: Informational Article Unit Introduction

Expository Writing: Informational Article

Unit Introduction

Unit Overview:

Students will write an Informational Article about an ¡°expert topic¡± using an

expository organizational structure. The ¡°expert topic¡± refers to a topic they already

know well and do not need to research. The expository organizational structure

consists of an introduction, a body and a conclusion which distinguishes itself from the

beginning, middle and end of the narrative organizational structure.

Teachers may want to modify this assignment to address individual class/student

needs. Suggestions for modifying include:

? Rather than leaving the topic open to student choice, pick a shared experience

(a field trip, a unit of study, a familiar location ) that allows you to build

common vocabulary.

? Allow TAG students to research more information

? Several lessons ask student to share with a partner. You may want to predetermine partners for the entire unit.

The lessons follow the steps in the writing process and call on the teacher to model an

¡°expert topic¡± for students throughout the unit. Feel free to use our model topic of ¨C

The Gym with examples in the lessons. Or use another model for an ¡°expert topic¡±

which you will use throughout the unit.

The mentor texts chosen for this informational article unit follow a simple expository

structure ¨C introduction, body and conclusion. Note as to whether other informational

texts you may read follow this same structure.

Grade 4 Writing

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Informational Article

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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DRAFT - August 2009

Student Goals:

1. Students will use an expository organizational structure to write a multiple

paragraph article that: [4.2.2]

? uses factual information about a familiar topic

? includes an introductory paragraph with an effective lead

? develops a topic with supporting details [4.4.1]

? uses transitions to link paragraphs [4.2.4]

? ends the article with an effective conclusion (summary, connecting to the

lead, further questions to think about, etc.)

2. Students will demonstrate sentence fluency by creating a variety of sentence

patterns by: [4.2.6]

? using simple and compound sentences [4.2.5]

? beginning sentences in a variety of ways

3. Students, with assistance from peers and teachers, will reread and revise writing

for meaning, clarity and sentence fluency by: [4.1.8]

? combining and moving sentences/paragraphs to improve the focus and

organization of ideas

? using effective transitional phrases [4.2.4]

4. Students will use an editing checklist for grade level conventions. [4.1.9]

Grade 4 Writing

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Informational Article

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Expository Writing: Informational Article

Table of Contents

Informational Article:

Unit Introduction...................................................................................................... IA-1

Table of Contents................................................................................................................... IA-3

IA1.

Comparing Narrative and Expository Writing (ELA.4.WRT.1.1) .......... IA-5

IA2.

Creating an Expert List (ELA.4.WRT.1.1 & 1.2) .................................... IA-7

IA3.

Selecting a Topic and Generating Ideas (ELA.4.WRT.1.1)..................... IA-9

The Gym ¨C Web....................................................................................... IA-11

IA4.

Select and Sort Words under Main Ideas (ELA.4.WRT.1.1 & 4.1)....... IA-13

The Gym ¨C Sort....................................................................................... IA-14

IA5.

Graphic Organizer: Main Ideas and Details (ELA.4.WRT.1.1) ............ IA-15

Graphic Organizers with and without examples .................................. IA-17

IA6.

Drafting the Body - 3 paragraphs (ELA.4.WRT.1.5 & 2.2) ................... IA-21

Writing Sample 1.................................................................................... IA-23

IA7.

Adding Additional Details (ELA.4.WRT.1.5 & 2.2)............................... IA-25

Graphic Organizer Example .................................................................. IA-27

Writing Sample 2.................................................................................... IA-28

IA8.

Writing Leads (ELA.4.WRT.2.2) ............................................................ IA-29

Good Introduction Anchor Chart ........................................................... IA-33

Types of Leads Anchor Chart................................................................. IA-34

IA9.

Focus Statements and Completion of Introduction (ELA.4.WRT.2.2) . IA-35

IA10.

Writing the Conclusion (ELA.4.WRT.2.2) ............................................. IA-39

Writing Sample 3.................................................................................... IA-42

List of Transitional Phrases................................................................... IA-43

IA11.

Sentence Fluency: Compound Sentences (ELA.4.WRT.2.4 & 2.5)........ IA-45

Compound Sentence Practice Sheet ...................................................... IA-48

Writing Sample 4.................................................................................... IA-49

IA12.

Sentence Fluency: Prepositional Phrases (ELA.4.WRT.1.8 & 5.4)....... IA-51

Prepositional Phrases Practice Sheet .................................................... IA-53

IA13.

Revision Checklist (ELA.4.WRT.1.7) ..................................................... IA-55

Revision Checklist .................................................................................. IA-57

Writing Sample 5.................................................................................... IA-58

IA14.

Editing Checklist and Final Piece (ELA.4.WRT.1.9) ............................ IA-59

Editing Checklist .................................................................................... IA-61

All About Bunnies ¨C edited and unedited versions ............................... IA-62

Teacher Resources:

Scott Foresman Fourth Grade Resources

TQW ¨C Teaching the Qualities of Writing, JoAnn Portalupi and Ralph Fletcher

Grade 4 Writing

?

Informational Article

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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DRAFT - August 2009

Grade 4 Writing

?

Informational Article

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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DRAFT - August 2009

Expository Writing: Informational Article (IA1)

Comparing Narrative and Expository Writing

Writing Teaching Point(s):

? Compare narrative writing with expository writing.

? Elements of expository writing

Standard(s):

ELA.WRT.4.1.1 Use a variety of strategies to prepare for writing.

Materials:

? Chart paper and post-it notes

? Mentor Texts: SF Reading Street ¡°Adventure on the Sea¡± p.519 (expository)

Connection:

¡°Earlier this year we wrote personal narratives. Now we will begin a new type of writing

called expository writing. Expository writing is non-fiction writing that includes

biographies, reports, newspaper articles, etc. In this unit, we will be writing a type of

expository writing called an Informational Article. Today we will examine how narrative

and expository writing are similar and different in order to help us understand how to

write an informational article.

Teach (modeling):

¡°Let¡¯s make a T-chart to compare the two types of writing. We¡¯ll start with narratives.

What are the elements of a narrative?¡±

Teacher prompts students to think about the narratives they wrote as well as the

narratives they have read. Teachers ask students to share and chart elements of

narrative writing (See T-chart below for possible responses. Point out elements they

missed.

Narrative

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

Organizational structure that uses a

beginning, middle and end

Strong lead or opening

Sharing of a personal story

Has plot or events

Setting description

Character development

Figurative language, precise nouns,

vivid verbs, sensory detail

Dialogue

Examples are personal narrative,

imaginative stories, etc.

Grade 4 Writing

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Informational Article

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Expository

?

?

?

?

?

?

Purpose is to inform

True/factual information

Explains

No plot or conflict

Has main ideas with

supporting details

Examples are reports,

biographies, newspaper

articles, etc.

.

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