Post on 25-Jan-2020
COMPREHENSIVE EXPOSITORY AND OPINION WRITING GUIDE
FOR GRADES 2 & 3 STUDENT PAGES
SECTION 6:
PROMPTS, PROJECTS, ASSESSMENTS, PROCESS WRITING
ASSIGNMENTS
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
378 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (1)
The carnival has come to town! Write an informative essay describing
the things you can do at a carnival.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
378 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
379 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (2)
You’ve been invited to a sleepover! Write about the games you’ll play
and foods you’ll eat at this special gathering.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
379 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
380 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (3)
Write a report about a pet you would like to have. Describe what this
animal looks like and how you would care for it.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
380 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
381 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (4)
Think about a person you really like. Write an expository essay
describing the appearance and personality of this person.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
381 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
382 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (5)
There are so many interesting kinds of animals in the world. Write an
informative report describing the appearance and habitat of an animal
you find captivating.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
382 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
383 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (6)
Toothaches hurt! Write an expository essay explaining how you can
keep your teeth and gums healthy by using dental floss or rinses, by
seeing the dentist regularly or by brushing after each meal.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
383 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
384 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (7)
When is your next birthday? Write an opinion piece describing your
favorite birthday foods and party activities.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
384 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
385 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (8)
At our school, we draw, paint and work with clay in art class every week.
Write an opinion piece about your favorite things to do in art class.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
385 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
386 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (9)
Gardening is a great summer activity. Write an opinion piece telling
about the fruits, vegetables and flowers you would like to grow. Make
sure to provide reasons.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
386 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
387 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (10)
Parks are wonderful places. Write an opinion piece describing your
favorite park and what you do when visiting this special place.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
387 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
388 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (11)
It’s Friday night! The weekend has begun. Write an opinion piece
describing the things you like to do, both indoors and outside, on the
weekends.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
388 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
ANALYZING PROMPTS (12)
What is your favorite sport? Tell us about the rules of the game and the
equipment you need to play this sport.
Prewriting Framework:
Topic _________________________________________________________
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
389 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
393 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
EXPOSITORY WRITING PROMPT FOR PROCESS WRITING - WINTER SPORTSHere’s a prompt for an expository piece. Think up your main ideas and complete the prewriting framework below.
There are many ways we can stay active and enjoy the outdoors in
the winter. Write an informative report about the sports we can enjoy
during these cold, snowy months.
TOPIC: Winter Sports
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
393 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
394 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
EXPOSITORY WRITING PROMPT FOR PROCESS WRITING - MY ROOMHere’s a prompt for an expository piece. Use the PICK, LIST, CHOOSE process to generate ideas for main ideas and
complete the prewriting framework below.
Everybody needs their own space. Write an expository piece describing
your room at home. Be sure to tell us where you keep your clothes as
well as your favorite toys and books.
TOPIC: My Room
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
394 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
395 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
EXPOSITORY WRITING PROMPT FOR PROCESS WRITING - BICYCLINGHere’s a prompt for an expository piece. Think up your main ideas and complete the prewriting framework below.
Learning how to ride a bike is a major milestone for most kids. Write a
report telling us what you know about bike safety and taking care of
your bicycle.
TOPIC: Bike Safety
Main Idea #1 __________________________________________________
Main Idea #2 __________________________________________________
Student Page
395 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
396 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
OPINION WRITING PROMPT FOR PROCESS WRITING - MUSIC CLASSHere’s a prompt for an opinion piece. Think up your main reasons and complete the prewriting framework below.
Most students have music class every week. Write a report focusing on
the activities you enjoy most in music class and those you dislike.
TOPIC: Music Class
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
396 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
397 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
OPINION WRITING PROMPT - BIG DOGS VS. SMALL DOGSHere’s a prompt for an opinion piece. Think up your main reasons and complete the prewriting framework below.
Pick a side! Would you rather have a big dog like a German Shepherd or
a small dog such as a chihuahua for a pet? Write why you would prefer
to care for and play with a big or a small dog.
TOPIC: Big Dogs vs. Small Dogs
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
397 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
398 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
OPINION WRITING PROMPT - MOVIES VS. BOOKSHere’s a prompt for an opinion piece. Think up your main reasons and complete the prewriting framework below.
Some of us love to read while others would much rather see a movie.
Write an opinion piece explaining which you prefer. Be sure to provide
at least two reasons.
TOPIC: Movies vs. Books
Main Reason #1 ________________________________________________
Main Reason #2 ________________________________________________
Student Page
398 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
399 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
TEMPLATE FOR INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH Write your introduction paragraph. It should include a lead and a topic sentence. Your lead should be a question or a short story from your own personal experience. Your topic sentence should mention your two main ideas or main reasons.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence Starters for your Lead
I remember when ________.I learned that ________.Do you think ________?Are you wondering ________?
Sentence Starters for your Topic Sentence
Let’s discuss the _______ (main idea/reason) and _______ (main idea/reason) of _______ (topic).
Two reasons why ________. I always enjoy ________. You will surely agree ________. Let’s look closely at ________.
Student Page
399 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
400 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
TEMPLATE FOR BODY PARAGRAPH Write your body paragraphs with details that support the main idea or main reason. To help you focus, underline your main idea sentence and write a “blurb” in the margin. Be sure that each detail is in a separate sentence and use “What does it look like? Why is it important?”
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence Starters for your Body Paragraphs
Just imagine how ________. If you think about it ________.Wouldn’t you love ________? Let’s think about how ________.You will surely understand why ________. Let’s look closely at ________.Do you believe ________? If you want ________.It is exciting to ________.
Student Page
400 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
NAME (3) Directions.
Activity printBody Copy.
Student Page
401 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
TEMPLATE FOR CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH Write your conclusion paragraph by restating the main ideas or main reasons and providing one last statement that sums it all up.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence Starters for your Last Statement
After all, ________.Without a doubt, ________.It is truly ________.It is clear that ________.
Sentence Starters for Restating your Main Ideas/Reasons
Are you convinced ________?Isn’t it interesting to learn about ________? The only question left is ________? If you’ve ever dreamed of ________.
Student Page
401 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
USING INFORMATION FROM GRAPHS (1) Look at the graph below. It shows us how 100 children answered when they were asked if they would rather swim in a lake or a pool. Write a paragraph telling us how you would have responded to this question. Use information from the graph in your paragraph. Begin with one of the sentence starters below if needed.
Student Page
404 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
I am surprised by the results of this poll because ________.
Like most kids, I would rather ________.
Don’t you wonder why ________?
I agree that ________.
Lakesvs.Pools
Student Page
405 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
USING INFORMATION FROM GRAPHS (2) Look at the graph below. It shows us how 100 children answered when they were asked if they would rather have a large dog or a small dog as a pet. Write a paragraph telling us how you would have responded to this question. Use information from the graph in your paragraph. Begin with one of the sentence starters below if needed.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
If you are surprised by ________.
Can you imagine why________.
It is no wonder that ________.
Like most kids, I agree that ________.
Large Dogsvs.Small Dogs
Student Page
406 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
USING INFORMATION FROM GRAPHS (3) Look at the graph below. It tells us the heights of four of the world’s tallest animals. Choose one of the four animals and write a paragraph describing what it looks like. Be sure to incorporate a fact from the graph!
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Look up and see ________.
It is amazing to________.
You will surely agree that ________.
Have you ever ________.
The World’sTallestAnimals
feet
Student Page
407 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
USING INFORMATION FROM GRAPHS (4) Look at the graph below. It tells us the how fast four of the world’s speediest animals can run. Choose one of the four animals and write a paragraph describing what it looks like. Be sure to incorporate a fact from the graph!
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
You won’t believe your eyes when ________.
Have you ever ________.
You might be surprised to learn ________.
It is amazing that________.
The World’sFastestAnimals
mph
409
Modeling Example
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
RESEARCH LESSON (1)
PICK A PLANET:MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS,
NEPTUNE, OR PLUTO Earth is only one of the fascinating planets in our solar system. Pick one (other than Earth). Use the internet and the library to research the planet of your choice. Your research should answer the questions below. On another sheet of paper, write a paragraph telling what you learned about your planet. Use the sentence starters on the bottom of the page if needed.
Planet: ______________________________________________________
1. Is there water on your planet? Are there mountains? Craters?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Is your planet larger or smaller than Earth? Hotter or colder?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Is there any possibility of life on this planet?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Imagine a planet where ________.
On the planet ________, there is________.
The planet ________ certainly________.
It is hard to believe but ________.
Mercury
Covered with craters and deep pits. No water, Completely dry.
Much smaller than Earth.Can be really hot – up to 750 degrees or really cold – 300 degrees or more below freezing.
x
RESEARCH LESSON (1)
PICK A PLANET:MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS,
NEPTUNE, OR PLUTO Earth is only one of the fascinating planets in our solar system. Pick one (other than Earth). Use the internet and the library to research the planet of your choice. Your research should answer the questions below. On another sheet of paper, write a paragraph telling what you learned about your planet. Use the sentence starters on the bottom of the page if needed.
Planet: ______________________________________________________
1. Is there water on your planet? Are there mountains? Craters?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Is your planet larger or smaller than Earth? Hotter or colder?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Is there any possibility of life on this planet?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Imagine a planet where ________.
On the planet ________, there is________.
The planet ________ certainly________.
It is hard to believe but ________.
Student Page
410 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
411
Lesson Plan
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
RESEARCH LESSON (2)
HABITATS:ARCTIC, RAIN FOREST, OR DESERT
A habitat is a home to animals and plants. Pick one of the three habitats listed above. Use the internet and the library to research the habitat of your choice. Your research should answer the questions below. On another sheet of paper, write a paragraph telling what you learned about this habitat. Use the sentence starters on the bottom of the page if needed.
Habitat: _____________________________________________________
1. What animals live in this habitat? What do they eat? Where do they find
shelter?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. What plants and trees grow in this habitat?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
It is amazing that ________.
Imagine a place where ________.
If you went to ________.
You might spot ________.
The Desert
Tortoises, snakes Coyotes, foxes, camelsSome hunt and eat meatSome eat plantsLive in underground burrows
cactus – lots of different kindsyucca trees – a kind of evergreen
Student Page
412 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESEARCH LESSON (2)
HABITATS:ARCTIC, RAIN FOREST, OR DESERT
A habitat is a home to animals and plants. Pick one of the three habitats listed above. Use the internet and the library to research the habitat of your choice. Your research should answer the questions below. On another sheet of paper, write a paragraph telling what you learned about this habitat. Use the sentence starters on the bottom of the page if needed.
Habitat: _____________________________________________________
1. What animals live in this habitat? What do they eat? Where do they find
shelter?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. What plants and trees grow in this habitat?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
It is amazing that ________.
Imagine a place where ________.
If you went to ________.
You might spot ________.
RESPONSE TO TEXT (1) Read the expository piece below and answer the accompanying questions.
Does your family recycle? Most of us do because we know that recycling is a
way we can help the environment. When we recycle, we can use resources again
and produce less garbage. Let’s learn how tin cans, plastic and paper can be
recycled.
Tin cans are made from a mineral called aluminum that is very easy to recycle.
These cans are just melted and molded into new tin cans or aluminum foil. They
can be recycled again and again.
Like aluminum, some plastics are melted and molded into new products. But,
recycling plastic can also start with shredding it into flakes. These flakes can be
used to create fibers for cloth. Amazingly, you might find tiny flakes of recycled
plastic in the filling of your sleeping bag!
For paper, the recycling process begins when the used paper is mixed with
water. Then the ink is taken out. It is dried and pressed into new paper. Paper
can be recycled as many as seven times.
Tin cans, paper and plastic bottles are part of our everyday lives. It is
important that we recycle these valuable materials as much as we possibly can.
Without a doubt, recycling today will help us keep our environment cleaner in the
future.
Student Page
415 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
Student Page
416 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (1) Read the piece about recycling and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece? _________________________________ .
2. What is the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. What are the three main ideas? ________________________________ ,
________________________, and ______________________________ .
4. What amazing fact did you learn in the third paragraph? How about the fourth? ____________________________________________________ .
5. Will what you read about the topic affect the decisions you make in the future? _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
6. On a separate sheet of paper, write one paragraph telling us what you learned about recycling from this piece. Use the sentence starters below if needed.
Sentence Starters
This piece explores (topic) ________. I never realized that ________.The author discusses ________. The author explained ________.I discovered that ________. Amazingly, ________.It was interesting to learn about ________.
Student Page
417 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (2) Read the piece below and answer the accompanying questions.
When I visited the zoo, I was fascinated with the rainforest exhibits that
showcased brilliantly colorful parrots. There are more than 300 different kinds of
parrots in the world. Macaws and Cockatoos are two of the most familiar.
Macaws are large, loud birds with vivid red, blue and yellow feathers. Like all
parrots, they have strong beaks made to crush nuts and seeds. They use their
strong toes to grasp things. Amazingly, they are able to imitate the sounds of
other animals and human voices.
Cockatoos are different from most parrots because they are usually black or
white and they have plumes of feathers on top of their heads. Even though they
are the loudest of all parrot species, they are often kept as pets and are said to be
very loving to their owners.
From the large, colorful Macaw to the smaller, louder Cockatoo, parrots are one
of the world’s most interesting bird species. Next time you’re at the zoo, you’ll
surely want to take a close look at these beautiful creatures.
Student Page
418 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (2) Read the piece about parrots and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece? _________________________________ .
2. What is the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. The author discusses two different types of parrots, including the
________________________ and the____________________________ .
4. What is one fact you learned about Macaws? How about Cockatoos?
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
5. What interested you most and why? _____________________________ ___________________________________________________________
6. What prior knowledge or experience have you had with this topic in your own life? ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
7. Can you think of any way this information might affect a decision you might make? _________________________________________________
8. On a separate sheet of paper, write one paragraph telling us what you learned about parrots from this piece. Use the sentence starters below if needed.
Sentence Starters
This piece explores ________. I discovered ________.It was interesting to learn about ________. The author told us ________.I never knew that ________.
Student Page
419 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (3) Read the piece below about parrots and answer the accompanying questions.
Do parrots make good pets? Some people believe so, but I am convinced
that they are not suitable pets for most people. Before you make the mistake of
getting a parrot as a pet, you need to know that most will not learn to talk and
that parrots can bite!
Parrots have the well-known ability to imitate human speech, but most do not
learn to repeat words or phrases even when owners spend hours teaching them.
They will, however, screech loudly at all hours of the day and night. Your pet
parrot just might keep you and your neighbors awake late into the night.
In the wild, parrots live in flocks of other parrots. While some can form friendly
bonds with humans, many do not. These parrots are likely to get lonesome and
aggressive toward their owners. They can and will bite and it will hurt! Pulling out
their own feathers is another behavior seen in lonely parrots.
Never confuse a parrot with a tamed animal. It is a wild creature that will not
speak on cue for you and may be deeply unhappy without the company of other
parrots. Without a doubt, you should consider another type of pet.
Student Page
420 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (3) Read the piece about parrots and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece? _________________________________ .
2. What is the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. The author gives us two main reasons why parrots may not be the best
pets. The main reasons are _________________________________
and _______________________________________________________ .
4. Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why? ___________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
5. On a separate sheet of paper, write one paragraph comparing this piece to
the other piece about parrots (Response to Text (2)).
Sentence Starters
This piece explores ________. I discovered ________.It was interesting to learn about ________. In my opinion, ________.The author believes that ________. I changed my mind about ________.
Student Page
421 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (4) Read the piece below about camping and answer the following questions.
Do you enjoy the outdoors? If so, you will surely agree with me that camping
is the most exciting activity ever. Sleeping in a tent and cooking outdoors are just
two of the reasons why I love to go camping.
I love sleeping in my cozy tent. It has a screen on the top so that you can look
at the stars as you fall asleep. You can hear the owls hooting and the insects
chirping from inside the tent.
Food that is cooked outdoors tastes wonderful! When you go camping, you will
cook your own food over a bonfire. Hotdogs are really easy to roast on a stick over
the fire. For dessert, toast marshmallows for a sticky, sweet treat.
Why not discover the relaxing fun of camping this summer? Let the sounds of
nature lull you to sleep in your tent and learn how tasty food that’s cooked over a
campfire can be. For sure, camping is a great experience!
Student Page
422 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (4) Read the piece about parrots and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece? _________________________________ .
2. What is the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. What are the two main reasons why the author enjoys camping:
________________________________________________________
and _______________________________________________________ .
4. Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why? ___________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
5. On a separate sheet of paper, write one paragraph comparing this piece to
the other piece about camping (Response to Text (5)).
Sentence Starters
This piece explores ________. I discovered ________.It was interesting to learn about ________. In my opinion, ________.I agree that ________.
Student Page
423 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (5) Read the piece below about camping and answer the following questions.
I had more bug bites than I could count when I got home from my first
camping trip last summer. Believe me when I tell you, camping is not a great
summer activity. After all, who could possibly enjoy sleeping outside and cooking
over a campfire?
Sleeping in a tent is uncomfortable. Even in your sleeping bag, you can feel the
cold, hard ground beneath you. No matter how hard you try to keep them out,
bugs do get into the tent and bite you all through the night. You can also hear
the screeches and yowls of wild creatures outside your tent. It is scary!
On my camping trip, I was starving by the time we ate dinner. That was
because it took so long to get the fire started. Plus, even after we got the fire
started, we had to hunt endlessly for dry twigs to keep it burning. It was a lot of
work and the dinner we finally ate was not very good.
Don’t be fooled. Camping is not as much fun as some people tell you. Without
a doubt, it is a summer activity that we all should avoid.
Student Page
424 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
RESPONSE TO TEXT (5) Read the piece about camping and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece? _________________________________ .
2. What is the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. What are the two main reasons why the author doesn’t enjoy camping:
________________________________________________________
and _______________________________________________________ .
4. Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why? ___________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
5. On a separate sheet of paper, write one paragraph comparing this piece to
the other piece about camping (Response to Text (4)).
Sentence Starters
In my own life, I have ________. The author explains ________.After I read this piece, I decided ________. I do (or do not) agree that ________.It was interesting to learn about ________. I do not understand how ________.
428
1. What does your animal look like? (size, color, fur, feathers, claws, fins,
scales, tail, etc.) ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
2. Where does your animal find shelter? _____________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
3. Who are your animal’s natural enemies? __________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
4. How does your animal defend itself? _____________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
5. What does your animal eat? ____________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ .
Suggested Research Questions
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
for Animal/Habitat Project
429
Objective Body Copy.
Procedure 1) Body Copy
Lesson Plan
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Have you ever had the experience of ______________________________?
Don’t you agree that ___________________________________________?
I feel like ripping my hair out when _______________________________ .
Just the sound/sight/feeling/taste/smell of ________________________ .
I could scream every time _______________________________________ .
You better believe _____________________________________________ .
Imagine how __________________________________________________ .
It drives me crazy when _________________________________________ .
Who wouldn’t _________________________________________________?
My least favorite ______________________________________________ .
The worst part is _______________________________________________ .
In addition to that, ____________________________________________ .
It reminds me of _______________________________________________ .
Another reason I oppose ________________________________________ .
The result is ___________________________________________________ .
I’d much rather _______________________________________________ .
Wouldn’t it make better sense to _________________________________?
The Most Annoying Thing in the World Sentence Starters
429 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
430
Objective Body Copy.
Procedure 1) Body Copy
Lesson Plan
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Your Favorite Season
You know that ____ (season) ____ is right around the corner when ____ .
When the weather gets _________________________________________ .
One special occasion ___________________________________________ .
A favorite activity at this time of the year is _______________________ .
It’s important to ______________________________________________ .
Just imagine how ______________________________________________ .
Feel the ______________________________________________________ .
Listen to ______________________________________________________ .
See how ______________________________________________________ .
Do you wonder ________________________________________________?
Why wouldn’t _________________________________________________?
A sure sign that ____ (season) ____ is on its way is _________________ .
Don’t you think _______________________________________________?
Isn’t it amazing how ___________________________________________?
Sentence Starters
430 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
A NONFICTION BOOK REPORT
1. What is the title and author of the book you read? __________________________ .
2. What was the author’s purpose? (please circle your choice).
To inform To share an opinion To entertain
3. What were two facts you learned from reading this book?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ .
4. What else would you like to know about the topic?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ .
5. Using your answers to the questions above, write a report that gives us information about this book on a separate piece of paper. Use the sentence starters below if needed.
Student Page
431 ©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Name:
Sentence Starters
This book is about ________. The author tells us ________.I discovered ________. I am still wondering ________.I would like to learn ________. I already knew ________.
432
Dear Friend:
Welcome to Mrs. Corman’s class. If you’re anything like me, you are going to find spelling hard, but you will love math.
Mrs. Corman makes math really fun by telling math stories and playing games that help us remember our addition and subtraction facts. I am proud of how quickly I learned how to multiply numbers.
It’s hard to get used to having spelling tests every single week, but Mrs. Corman says they are very important. You need to study for these tests by writing each of your spelling words five times. I am sorry to say that your hand will probably get really tired as you do this. Spelling was the hardest thing for me, but it got easier as the year wore on.
Good luck with spelling and have fun with math in Mrs. Corman’s class. For sure, you should be ready for a fun, busy year.
Sincerely,Theo Grant
Finished Example
©2014 Empowering Writers, LLC
Letter to Next Year’s Class
Sentence Starters
You are lucky to be ________. You will probably ________.Nobody really likes ________. Be prepared for ________. Just about everybody enjoys ________.