Lesson
11
Informative Writing
Houses and Homes
Objectives &
Common Core Connections
✱✱ Introduce the topic for a selected audience.
✱✱ Focus on the purpose of informative writing.
✱✱ Develop the topic with researched facts and details.
✱✱ Use domain-specific words and precise language.
✱✱ Use linking words to connect ideas.
✱✱ Organize the information to make the topic clear.
✱✱ Write an informative paragraph.
Introduction Provide each student with a copy
of the writing frame (page 39). Have students
read the title and study the illustration. Tell
them that they will write a paragraph explaining
what a teepee is for an elementary school social
studies book. Explain that often it is necessary to
do research for informative writing. Have some
relevant books ready.
Model Help students begin their explanation by
writing an introductory sentence. For example:
44 A teepee is a form of shelter used by
some Native American groups.
Ask students to think of or find other facts and
details that tell what a teepee is. For example:
44 easy to assemble
44 outside made from buffalo hide
44 frame made from poles
44 good in high winds
44 can be moved to new location
Point out that because you are writing for a social
studies book, you are using words such as shelter
and location that are specific to social studies. You
are also using precise terms such as buffalo hide.
38
Encourage students to use what they know about
organizing information. For instance, two of the
details tell what a teepee is made from, while the
others explain why a teepee is practical. Coach
students in developing complete sentences to use
in the paragraph. Model how some ideas can be
connected with linking words. For example:
44 The outside of a teepee is made from a
buffalo hide.
44 The hide covers a frame made of long
thin poles.
44 A teepee is easy to assemble, and it can
be moved from one location to another.
44 A teepee has a cone shape that helps it
stand up well in high winds.
Guided Practice Have students complete the
writing frame. Encourage them to use their own
wording and sentence structure, and to include
other details that they know or have researched
about teepees.
Review Call on volunteers to read their finished
paragraphs to the class. Have listeners use items
1, 2, 4–6, 9, 10, and 12 on the assessment
checklist (page 63) to evaluate the effectiveness of
other students’ work.
Independent Practice Use the On Your
Own activity (page 40) as homework or review.
Encourage students to use what they learned in
the lesson to complete the assignment. Tell them
they can choose a home from the Idea Box or use
their own idea. Remind them that they will need
to do some research to find facts and details. Have
appropriate reference materials and a computer
with Internet access available for student research.
Writing Lessons to Meet the Common Core: Grade 4 © 2013 by Linda Ward Beech, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Lesson
11
Name
Houses and Homes
Date
What is a teepee?
33¶ Introduce the topic with your audience in mind.
33¶ Focus on your writing purpose.
33¶ Research and list facts and details about the topic.
33¶ Use social studies words and precise language.
33¶ Use linking words to connect ideas.
33¶ Organize the information to make the topic clear.
33¶ Write your paragraph on another sheet of paper.
Topic
Audience
Facts and Details
Social Studies/Precise Words
Possible Linking Words
Organizing Information
Group 1
Group 2
Writing Lessons to Meet the Common Core: Grade 4 © 2013 by Linda Ward Beech, Scholastic Teaching Resources
39
Lesson
11
Name
On You r
Own
Date
Choose one kind of home from the Idea Box or think of another kind.
Complete this page. Then, write a paragraph on another sheet
of paper to explain what the home is like.
tt¶Castle
tt¶Houseboat
tt¶Igloo
tt¶My Idea:
Idea
Box
Topic
Audience
Facts and Details
Social Studies/Precise Words
Possible Linking Words
Organizing Information
Group 1
Group 2
40
Writing Lessons to Meet the Common Core: Grade 4 © 2013 by Linda Ward Beech, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Name
Date
Student Assessment Checklist
Informative/Explanatory Writing
1. Introduced the topic. . ..........................................................
2. Focused on the writing purpose. ...........................................
3. Summarized or paraphrased information in notes. .................
4. Developed topic using researched facts, examples,
and/or details. . ..................................................................
5. Organized the information to help the reader. .......................
6. Used linking words to connect ideas. . ...................................
7. Listed materials and steps. ....................................................
8. Included an illustration to aid comprehension. . ......................
9. Addressed the audience appropriately. .................................
10. Used subject-specific words and precise language. .................
11. Provided a concluding sentence. ...........................................
12. Wrote an informative/explanatory paragraph. ......................
33¶ Capitalized proper nouns.
e Thin
Mor he gs
to C ck
33¶ Capitalized the first word of sentences.
33¶ Used correct punctuation.
33¶ Spelled words correctly.
33¶ Followed correct paragraph form.
Writing Lessons to Meet the Common Core: Grade 4 © 2013 by Linda Ward Beech, Scholastic Teaching Resources
63