Conducting Research to Write an Expository Paper on Survival Lesson Plan

Subject: Writing

Grade Level: 5th Grade

Teacher: Ashley Skelton

Objectives:

• Students will access and use information from a variety of sources.
• Students will write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• Students will create written work that has a clear focus, sufficient detail, coherent organization, effective use of voice, and correct use of the conventions of written and Standard American English.
• Students will compose an expository paper based on research.

Skills:

• Students will clarify and refine a research topic.
• Students will use print sources to access information.
• Students will select appropriate information for their research topics.
• Students will paraphrase research information accurately.
• Students will create a list of sources.
• Students will use vocabulary appropriate for the audience or purpose.
• Students will use appropriate organizational strategies to prepare written works.
• Students will use prewriting techniques to organize written works
• Students will use complete sentences in a variety of types in writing
• Students will create multiple-paragraph compositions that include a central idea with supporting details and use appropriate transitions between paragraphs.
• Students will use proofreading skills to edit for the correct use of written Standard American English.
• Students will use revision strategies to improve word choice and the organization and development of ideas in written works.
• Students will conduct research on a topic for their expository writing assignment.
• Students will work independently and with a partner to find valid resources on the Internet for a magazine, book, and Internet source.

Research Standards:

5-6.1 Clarify and refine a research topic.

5-6.2 Use print sources such as books, magazines, charts, graphs, diagrams, dictionaries, encyclopedias atlases, thesauri, newspapers, and almanacs and nonprint media to access information.

5-6.3 Select information appropriate for the research topic.

5-6.4 Paraphrase research information accurately and meaningfully

5-6.5 Create a list of sources that contains information (including author, title, and full publication details) necessary to properly credit and document the work of others.

5-6.6 Use vocabulary (including Standard American English) that is appropriate for the particular audience or purpose.

5-6.7 Use appropriate organizational strategies to prepare written works and oral and visual presentations.

Writing Standards:

5-4.1 Use prewriting techniques to organize written works.

5-4.2 Use complete sentences in a variety of types (including simple, compound, and complex sentences) in writing.

5-4.3 Create multiple-paragraph compositions that include a central idea with supporting details and use appropriate transitions between paragraphs.

5-4.5 Use proofreading skills to edit for the correct use of written Standard American English: " capitalization (including the names of ethnic and national groups and the names of established religions and languages); " punctuation (including colons and hyphens); and " use of commonly confused words such as affect and effect.

5-4.6 Use revision strategies to improve word choice and the organization and development of ideas in written works.

Materials/Resources:

1. Computer Lab

2. Promethean Board

3. Internet Connection

4. Research Note cards

a) The pink note card is used for the students to record the publication details of the magazine source.

b) The yellow note card is used for the students to record the publication details of the book source.

c) The green note card is used for the students to record the publication details of the Internet source.

5. Highlighters

6. Pencils

7. Computer Paper

8. Notebook Paper

9. Colored Pencils

Procedures:

• Day 1: Focus - Expository Writing and Brainstorming a Topic
• Day 2: Focus - How to Conduct Research
• Day 3: Focus - Book Source
• Day 4: Focus - Magazine Source
• Day 5: Focus - Internet Source
• Day 6 - 12: Focus - Using Research to Write an Expository Paper

Assessments:

Lesson Rubric

The teacher will assess the students according to the attached rubric. The students will be given a daily grade for the individual writing and research grades. The average of the writing and research grades will count as a test grade. The teacher will also conference with the students about their writing grade and the grade they have given themselves using the same rubric if there is a large discrepancy in the grades.

Adaptations:

The pace of the lesson will be adjusted as needed. The students may need longer to successfully write a research paper based on their topics. The students will work at different paces. The teacher will walk around the room during the days when the students are writing to ensure that the students are all on task. Students who have special needs may have the information scribed for them on the note cards. The students may also type their expository papers if necessary. If a student finishes early they will write in their writing journals.

©2008 Ashley Skelton. All rights reserved.

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