Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Painted Essay for Opinion Writing: The Introductory Paragraph

For Teachers 5th Standards
The answer is blowin' in the wind. Using the resource, scholars read and analyze a model essay about wind power. Next, they work in groups to write an introductory paragraph that expresses an opinion about the topic. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Write an Essay: Secondary ed.

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Whether introducing the structure of expository essays or reviewing the format with your high schoolers, take the time to check out this resource. Examples of seven common forms of introductory paragraphs and six types of conclusions, as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stating Your Case: Writing Thesis Statements Effectively

For Teachers 6th - 12th
As a writer, if you have a weak introductory paragraph or thesis statement, you might lose your audience! Have your middle and high schoolers practice writing introductory paragraphs that include clear thesis statements in response to...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Painted Essay: The Introductory Paragraph

For Teachers 5th Standards
Mimic the model for the perfect essay. Scholars work in groups to analyze a model painted essay The Electric Motor. They compare the structure of the model essay to the painted essay template they created in the previous activity. The...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Planning for Writing: Introduction and Conclusion of a Literary Argument Essay

For Teachers 6th Standards
Give a powerful introduction. Scholars analyze the introductory paragraph in the model essay "Are We Medieval?: Opportunities in the Middle Ages and Today." They discuss the key components the author includes and then walk through the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leading into Good Writing

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Discuss the importance of a lead in writing with your upper graders. They examine several examples of leads from literature and practice writing leads for pieces of artwork. They then select a topic from a list and write an introductory...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Writing Effective Thesis Statements and Introductory Paragraphs for Research Papers

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After reading on the topic of their paper, high schoolers work in pairs to assess how to write powerful, precise thesis statements. The introduction contains three statements: a universal statement, a bridge statement, and a thesis...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Persuasive Writing II

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Help your young writers use logic in their persuasive writing. Discuss the characteristics of a persuasive paper, and have pupils work together to explore and solve a syllogism. They will write a short persuasive paper which includes a...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Planning for Writing: Introduction and Conclusion of a Literary Analysis

For Teachers 6th Standards
It's all about the introduction. Scholars work on the introductory paragraph for their essays, connecting the theme of a myth and The Lightning Thief. They use a graphic organizer to help focus their work and then move to working on the...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Planning for Writing: Introduction and Conclusion of a Literary Analysis Essay

For Teachers 6th Standards
First and last impressions are important. Using the helpful resource, scholars draft the introductory and concluding paragraphs of their literary analysis essays. Next, they use a writing evaluation rubric to self-assess their work. 
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Writing an Introduction and Body Paragraph That Support an Opinion: Jackie Robinson’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 5th Standards
It is all in the introduction. Class members first learn to write an introduction paragraph and body paragraphs to support it. They then work to create a Criteria for Writing Opinion Essays anchor chart. 
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Planning the Introductory and Concluding Paragraphs of the End of Unit Assessment Essay

For Teachers 8th Standards
Preparation is the key to success! Using the guiding resource, scholars plan their end-of-unit analytical essays' introductory and concluding paragraphs based on their reading of Inside Out & Back Again. To prepare, they complete a...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Painted Essay: Writing Proof Paragraphs

For Teachers 5th Standards
Words of proof. Learners continue coding The Electric Motor by marking the first point in yellow and the second point in blue. They discuss the structure of the paragraphs by identifying transition words and evidence to support the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Varied Beginnings: Research Process / Narrative Writing Techniques

For Teachers 5th - 8th
What's the best way to start a story? Learners write a memoir using effective openings. They research the process and work through a list of hooks to use in their writing. They use at least two hooks to begin their personal memoir. A...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Drafting Introduction and Conclusion

For Teachers 6th Standards
In conclusion ... Scholars analyze the model essay Adversity Faced by Townspeople in the Middle Ages to gain a better understanding of introductory and concluding paragraphs. After studying the author's strategies, learners begin...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Painted Essay for Opinion Writing: Writing Proof Paragraphs

For Teachers 5th Standards
It's time to proof read! Pupils read and analyze proof paragraphs from a model essay. They then practice writing their own proof paragraphs to express an opinion about offshore oil drilling. 
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit On-Demand Informational Writing: Philo Farnsworth’s Invention of the Television and How It Changed People’s Lives, Part 2

For Teachers 5th Standards
Scholars complete the unit by finishing their end of the unit assessments. They arrange sentences for an introductory paragraph in the correct order, provide evidence for their thinking, and write a conclusion paragraph. They then...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Teacher of the Year

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Now is the time to identify the great teachers in your school! Discuss the characteristics of persuasive writing and analyze an example. Then, each pupil chooses a teacher who they feel should be named teacher of the year. They plan and...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

The Last Word: Using Critical Thinking and Analysis to Reach a Decision

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Want to explore the process of writing a persuasive essay and tie it in with the upcoming elections? Class members use Venn diagrams and the hamburger model of persuasive writing to write a five-paragraph essay on elections and...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Mid-Unit Assessment: Draft of Position Paper

For Teachers 8th Standards
What is the purpose of an introduction and conclusion? Using the resource, scholars review the model position paper from activity one and discuss the author's choices. Next, they draft their position papers' introductory and concluding...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit Assessment, Part 2: Drafting Introduction and Conclusion of an Essay to Inform

For Teachers 6th Standards
A powerful introduction and conclusion can really pack a punch. Using the resource, scholars first read and discuss a model essay. Then, as part of the end of unit assessment, they draft the introductory and concluding paragraphs of...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit Assessment: On-Demand Informational Writing: Philo Farnsworth’s Invention of the Television and How It Changed People’s Lives, Part I

For Teachers 5th Standards
On-demand isn't just for TV anymore. Writers complete their end of the unit assessment with an on-demand writing task. They read the article Television and answer questions about the gist, vocabulary, and content. They then complete a...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Don't Let the Earth Down

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Writing a persuasive argument starts with a clear thesis. Using this resource, your class will write a persuasive paper on a conservation issue. They will then transform their argument into a 30-second public service announcement. If...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Speech Writing: Identifying Criteria for a High-Quality Introduction

For Teachers 5th Standards
Using a helpful resource, pupils watch a TED Talk of an opinion speech as they consider the criteria for a high-quality introduction. Scholars then engage in a shared writing process with the teacher to practice writing the introduction...