Introduction

     Writing is a tremendous feat!  It allows you to express your ideas in a universal language, which can be understood by anyone.  The words contain power, music and beauty and should be chosen with care and concern for the audience.  Think, and enjoy the write.

   

Background

A. A solid paragraph will have a main idea (topic sentence)which     states clearly what you are writing about.
B. The paragraph will have three or more supporting detail  
    sentences which support or supply facts about the topic.
C  The paragraph will have elaborative sentences (2 or more)
    which explain  or supply added information about the details.
D. The concluding sentence will restate the topic sentence.

Try the following links to see examples:

www.col-ed.org/cur/lang.html
www.webquest.org
www.google.com

This assignment asks you to connect the Parts of Speech to develop the perfect paragraph.

The Process 

A.    Select one of the following topics:
    1.  My Favorite Dessert
    2.  How to Ride a Bicycle Safely
    3.  The Pros and Cons of going to Pluto
B.     Interact
    1. You may divide into groups sharing the
          same topic.
    2.  Select a student to record the ideas and
         information from your group.
C.      Brainstorm
           1.  List or note ideas or features about your
                 topic.
                 (a) arrange them in order (sequence, class...)
           2.  Think about what you plan to say on the
                  topic.
                 WHAT IS YOUR YOUR MAIN IDEA?
            3.Write your topic sentence.

 D.      Relax your mind as you review the Parts of Speech

      1.  Noun
      2.  Pronoun
      3.  Verb
      4.  Adverb
      5.  Adjectives
      6.  Prepositions
      7.  Conjuctions
      8.  Interjections
      9.  Articles -  a, an, the

Review the parts of speech here:
http://eslus.com/LESSONS/GRAMMAR/POS/pos.htm

Say the Parts of Speech to Yourself

E.    Access the Graphic Organizer

     1.  It will help you to arrange your ideas.
     2.  On a separate sheet of paper, copy and enlarge the graphic
          organizer.
           (a)  The main idea will be the topic sentence.
           (b)  Write three  sentences which give facts or information
                 about the topic sentence.
           (c)  Elaborate by giving added information, opinions or
                 comments about the supporting details

Graphic Organizer

	Main Idea
Supporting Detail	Supporting Detail	Supporting Detail
Elaborate	Elaborate	Elaborate
Concluding Sentence

Using notebook paper, write the school heading.  Skip two lines and write the title you have chosen.  Skip two additional lines and begin your
paragraph.

 Remember,TO CAPITALIZE AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SENTENCE
AND TO CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION.

TRY:  http://www.kidsplace.com

Let's Write!

Title      .

       

Double Check

See how well you know the Parts of Speech.   Pause now  and
take these tests to check your knowledge.

If you are still having problems ,you may e-mail the teacher at
dlberry@cuip.net

1. Read your paragraph silently.  Does it have all the components from your graphic organizer developed into sentences?
2. Exchange paragraphs.  Let a classmate proofread your paragraph for content, grammar usage and correct spelling.
3. Read your paragraph to the group or class.  Can they identify the topic sentence, three supporting detail sentencs, the additional elaborations and a concluding sentence? 

	1 Not a sentence	2 Unclear	3 Clear	4 A well stated sentence	Score
Topic Sentence
Detail  Sentences
Elaborative Sentences
Concluding Sentences
Parts of Speech
Score

Fantastic!

 

    You have just begun your writing career!  By linking your ideas into sentences, using the Parts of Speech to develop first the sentence and then the paragraph, you have begun mastery in the art of the English language and found a tool crucial to life long success.  Try topics or issues on your own.  The newspapers, magazines and the Internet offer many topics such as business, street violence, what schools should be teaching and more.  Jot down your ideas, create a topic sentence and just write!

References

             Boxer, Frada and Jay Mulberry. Using the Web in the Classroom
and Creating a Curriculum WEb: Step by Step Instructions and Handouts.
WIT , 2003.  Spring Mentor Training Program.  The University of Chicago,
2003.
             Cunningham, Craig  A. and Marty Billingsley.  Curriculum Webs
A Practical Guide to Weaving the Web into Teaching and Learning.
The University of Chicago, Boston Press, 2003.
              edweb.sdsu-eduwebquest.html
              htmlgoodies.com/tutors/img/htm
              http://eslus.comLessons/Grammar/Refpos.htm
              kep/kids.comschool.gif
              nzwwa.com/mirror/clipart/graphics,animated/icons/index
              www.col-ed.org/cur/lang.html/
              www.google.com
              www.kidsplace.com
              www.perlen.privatedk.children/children.htm

Credits

Boxer, Frada. Levitt, Pam;Selph,Hashem.  Mentors. Web Institute for Teachers (WIT), University of Chicago, 2003. Cunningham, Craig. Director and Staff. WIT, University of Chicago, 2003.
Burrell, Antoine. Educator. Chicago Public Schools ,Donoghue Elementary, Chicago. Hamilton, ________. Power Writing Program. Reading Initiative, Chicago Public Schools, 2002. Harris, Elaine. Educator. John Fiske School. Chicago Public Schools, Chicago 2002.
Syers, Tekla A. , IFT Organization, Chicago, 2003