06 Writing a First Draft

Page
028
from
Write on Track

Start-Up Activity

Read and discuss page 28. Then display a topic that the class is studying and tell students that together the class will write a paragraph about it. First, generate three first sentences—the first one including a surprising fact, another one presenting a quotation, and a third one asking a question. Decide as a class on a favorite beginning.

Think About It

“I go as fast as I can from start to finish on the first draft. Then I rewrite and rewrite. I’m lucky that I enjoy every bit of the process.”

—Thomas J. Dygard

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.5

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.3.W.1.1

LAFS.3.W.1.2

LAFS.3.W.1.3

LAFS.3.W.2.4

LAFS.3.W.2.5

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.5.b.11.B.ii

110.5.b.12.C

110.5.b.11.B.i

110.5.b.12.B

110.5.b.12.A

110.5.b.11.A

110.5.b.11.C

110.5.b.11.D

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 029 from Write on Track

Writing the Middle and Ending

Read and discuss the first part of page 29—“Write the Middle Part.” Then have the class decide on two or three important details about the topic. Write sentences that include these details.

Next, read and discuss “Write the Ending.” Have the class create one or two possible endings. Then put the beginning, middle, and ending parts together to see how the whole paragraph sounds.

State Standard Reference: