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11 Writing Paragraphs

Page
052
from
Write on Track

Writing Paragraphs Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Share with students a funny or interesting story from your own life. Then show them a written version of the story in the form of a paragraph. Inform them that this paragraph tells a true story. Ask them if they can find the topic and two or three interesting details. Then read the chapter introduction.

Think About It

“Write about what makes you want to write more.”

—Tamora Pierce

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.3.W.2.4

LAFS.3.W.2.5

LAFS.3.W.1.3

LAFS.3.W.1.2

LAFS.3.W.1.1

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.5.b.11.A

110.5.b.11.B.i

110.5.b.11.B.ii

110.5.b.11.C

110.5.b.11.D

110.5.b.12.A

110.5.b.11

110.5.b.12.B

110.5.b.12.C

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 053 from Write on Track

The Basic Parts of a Paragraph

Read and discuss this page, which identifies the three parts of a paragraph: the topic sentence (beginning), body (middle), and ending sentence. Ask students to identify the three parts in the paragraph you shared with them for page 52.

 

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11.A, 110.5.b.11.B.i, 110.5.b.11.B.ii
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1, LA 3.2.1.a, LA 3.2.1.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
WritingStructureLogical Organization

Page 054 from Write on Track

A Closer Look at the Parts

After discussing this information, share with students a picture of a piece of pie and show them how it relates to the parts of a paragraph. The top and bottom crusts hold the filling in place, just as the topic and ending sentences hold the body sentences in place. Ask students if they can think of and/or draw pictures of other foods that illustrate the parts of a paragraph. (Possible responses: a filled donut, a pot pie, a sandwich, etc.)

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11.A, 110.5.b.11.B.i, 110.5.b.11.B.ii
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1, LA 3.2.1.a, LA 3.2.1.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
WritingStructureLogical OrganizationQualities of Writing

Page 055 from Write on Track

Types of Paragraphs

Pages 55–58 include narrative, descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive paragraphs. Page 55 includes a narrative paragraph—or a paragraph that tells a story. As you read this paragraph aloud, ask students to listen for the details: Do the details help them enjoy the story? Then consider having students write a paragraph about their own funny experience. Refer them to pages 59–60 for writing guidelines.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.3
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.12.A, 110.5.b.11
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b, LA 3.2.1.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Narrative Writing
Form:
Narrative Paragraph
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 056 from Write on Track

Descriptive Paragraph

This descriptive paragraph shares details about a favorite restaurant. Display the words smells, sights, and sounds. As you read this paragraph aloud, ask students to listen for words that share these types of details. After the reading, list some of these details. Then consider having students write a paragraph describing one of their favorite places. Refer them to pages 59–60 for writing guidelines.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.3
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.12.A, 110.5.b.11
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b, LA 3.2.1.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Narrative Writing
Form:
Description
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 057 from Write on Track

Explanatory Paragraph

This explanatory paragraph explains the challenges of living with a younger brother. Before you read this paragraph aloud, display the topic in a circle. As you read this paragraph aloud, ask students to listen for examples that explain the topic. After the reading, cluster the examples and other details about the topic. Then consider having students write a paragraph explaining something. Refer them to pages 59–60 for writing guidelines.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11, 110.5.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b, LA 3.2.1.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Explanatory Paragraph
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 058 from Write on Track

Persuasive Paragraph

This persuasive paragraph gives an opinion about the need for sidewalks in a neighborhood. Before you read this paragraph aloud, display the opinion. As you read this paragraph aloud, ask students to listen for reasons that support the opinion. Then after the reading, have students identify the reasons. Consider having students write a paragraph in which they support an opinion about their neighborhood or community. Refer them to pages 59–60 for writing guidelines.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11, 110.5.b.12.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Persuasive Writing
Form:
Persuasive Paragraph
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 059 from Write on Track

Writing a Paragraph

The next two pages provide step-by-step guidelines for writing any type of paragraph. Page 59 covers prewriting and writing a draft. Make sure students understand the specific form presented in each writing assignment. Narrative, descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive paragraphs require different types of ideas and details. Review the strategies for collecting details for the different forms.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11, 110.5.b.12.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Writing Basics
Form:
Explanatory ParagraphNarrative ParagraphPersuasive ParagraphStory Paragraph
English Language Arts:
PrewritingWritingWriting Process

Page 060 from Write on Track

Writing a Paragraph (Continued)

Read and discuss the questions students should ask as they revise and edit their paragraphs. Afterward, have students follow all of the steps to write a new paragraph.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.11, 110.5.b.12.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.2, LA 3.2.2.a, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:
Grade 3
Mode:
Writing Basics
Form:
Explanatory ParagraphNarrative ParagraphPersuasive Paragraph
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessRevisingEditing