Explanatory Writing, Part 1

In this lesson, Ms. Ramsey helps her students work as “experts” to plan a piece of procedural writing written for a “novice” audience. Ms. Ramsey guides students in using an organizational structure that includes an introduction, steps, materials, domain-specific vocabulary, background, and a conclusion.

Things to watch for:

• A review of previously learned information about explanatory writing
• Teacher modeling with her own writing
• A review of important concepts for lesson success: domain-specific vocabulary, introduction, specificity in word choice, conclusion
• A prompt to students to listen carefully for various aspects of writing (adverbs, domain-specific vocabulary)

More classroom videos with Ms. Ramsey:

• Explanatory Writing, Part 2
• Inference and Informational Text

Writing Standards

Text Types and Purposes:

• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2)
• Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2b)
• Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2c)
• Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2d)

Production and Distribution of Writing:

• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.4)

• Procedural Rubric 1 (PDF)
• Procedural Rubric 2 (PDF)
• Sample: How to Plant a Sunflower (PDF)

Strategies that can be used to support this lesson:

• RAFT Writing
• Text Structure