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    Minilesson

    Writing a 5 W’s Story

    Help students write realistic stories.

    Two ice skaters glide along a frozen river

    Minilesson

    Elaborating in a Food Review

    Help students practice elaboration.

    Cheeseburger cooking on a flaming grill

    Minilesson

    Writing Freely and Rapidly

    Teach student to freewrite for ideas.

    Illustration of a notebook and pencil

    Minilesson

    Writing a Family Story and Historical Marker

    Inspire students to write family stories.

    Kascinski's World Famous Hot Dog Stand Plaque

    Minilesson

    Using a Peer Response Sheet

    Teach students to write peer responses.

    Response Sheet Example

    Minilesson

    Discovering Narrative Strategies

    Use shared inquiry to develop personal narratives. 

    Illustration of boy writing his name in a frosty window

    Minilesson

    Discovering Rules for Their, There, and They’re

    Use shared inquiry to learn their, there, and they're.

    American barber pole

    Minilesson

    Sharing Fiction with a Partner

    Use shared inquiry to read fiction.

    Illustration of boy reading giant book

    Minilesson

    If I Were President

    Think about being president.

    If I Were President

    Minilesson

    Comparing Myself to a President

    Compare yourself to a president.

    Abraham Lincoln

    Minilesson

    If I Were a President's Pet

    Imagine being a president's pet.

    FDR quote

    Minilesson

    Writing a Historical Dialogue

    Create a dialogue with a historical figure.

    Minilesson

    Elaborating Sentences

    Add detail to sentences.

    Cheerleaders at a high school football game

    Minilesson

    Elaborating with Supporting Details

    Use a variety of details.

    Bridge support

    Minilesson

    Capturing Readers' Attention

    Use opening strategies.

    Photo of a gorilla

    Minilesson

    Answering Objections

    Address opposing positions.

    Photo of a protestor with a "no" sign

    Minilesson

    Defending Huck Finn

    Defend a fictional character in court.

    Huck Finn

    Minilesson

    Building Words

    Assemble prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
     

    Building Vocabulary

    Minilesson

    Answering Objections in Arguments

    Answer key objections to an argument.

    Illustration of figure pulling rope

    Minilesson

    Labeling Your Feelings

    Calm your body and mind by voicing your feelings.

    Minilesson

    Using Signal Phrases

    Smoothy integrate sources in your writing. 

    Student Writing Model

    Jet Bikes

    Fifth-grader Ethan moves the reader smoothly through his personal narrative with transition words like first, then, also, so far, and when.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Goals
    Work
    Money
    Life
    Sports
    Exercise

    Student Writing Model

    Rules

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Isabel. In the second paragraph, Isabel adds interest and humor to her writing by including her personal comments in parentheses.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Rules
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    My Mother

    Fourth-grader Abigail wrote an essay that describes how great her mother is. She includes both serious and fun reasons!

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
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