Bookmark

Sign up or login to use the bookmarking feature.

03 The Qualities of Writing

Page
024
from
Write Away

The Qualities of Writing Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Read aloud the first part of page 24. Ask for volunteers to identify other animals that have special qualities (elephants, squirrels, grizzly bears, etc.). Also display a few objects (or photo of objects) and ask students to identify their main qualities. Then read aloud the second part of the page that identifies the qualities of strong writing.

Think About It

“I always try to have a good opening sentence.”

—Betsy Byars

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.2.W.1.1

LAFS.2.W.1.2

LAFS.2.W.1.3

LAFS.2.W.2.5

LAFS.2.L.1.1

LAFS.2.L.1.2

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.4.b.11.A

110.4.b.11.B

110.4.b.12

110.4.b.12.B

110.4.b.11

110.4.b.12.A

110.4.b.11.C

110.4.b.11.D

110.4.b.1.C

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 025 from Write Away

A Closer Look at the Qualities: Structure

Read and discuss this page, which identifies the three main parts of a complete piece of writing: the beginning, middle, and ending. Ask students what the raccoon story would be like if it didn’t contain one of the three parts. Point out that when students read a story they should expect it to have all three parts and that each part should be fun to read. The same should hold true for the stories they write.  

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.11.A, 110.4.b.11.B, 110.4.b.12
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.2.2, LA 2.2.2.a, LA 2.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
StructureQualities of Writing

Page 026 from Write Away

Ideas

This page explains the two main types of ideas in writing, the topic and details. During your discussion of this page, ask students why it is important to write about topics that really interest them. (Possible response: Caring about a topic will help them do their best writing.) Also ask students to answer the other questions about the story: what? where? and why?

  • What? (The raccoon ate the writer’s jelly sandwich.)
  • Where? (At a picnic table near the beach.)
  • Why? (Raccoons, like all animals, look for food.)

If students have a piece of writing available, have them check to see if it answers the 5 W’s questions.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.11.A, 110.4.b.11.B, 110.4.b.12
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.2.2, LA 2.2.2.a, LA 2.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
IdeasQualities of Writing

Page 027 from Write Away

Correctness

Read aloud the information about correctness. Stress to students that correctness is important because it makes writing clear and easy to read. Preview the sections in the Proofreader's Guide where students can find help with the rules for writing.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.W.2.5
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.11.C, 110.4.b.11.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.2.1.e, LA 2.2.1.f, LA 2.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Correct ConventionsQualities of Writing