Lesson Plans


Junior Lesson Plan #2

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Writing an article


GRADE LEVEL
Grades 3 to 6

CURRICULUM
Language Arts, Current Affairs, Social Studies

OVERVIEW OF LESSON PLAN
In this lesson, students will begin their own article, read another students’ beginning, create the middle section of their article, read yet another story and finally develop a conclusion for their story. This activity encourages students to be creative in their own writing, as well as being critical and analytical of another's. Students can publish their stories and learn more about writing skills with SchoolNet News Network. Students who accomplish very little during a typical, structured writing time, seem to become very involved in this type of writing.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Create the beginning of a story. Introduce the characters and the setting.
  2. Story should answer the 5W’s of writing: Who, What, When, Where, Why (sometimes How).
  3. Develop the action for the story.
  4. Bring the story to a conclusion.
  5. Read and analyze another's work.
  6. Recognize the need for neat, well-organized work.

MATERIALS AND PREPARATION

 

ACTIVITIES/PROCEDURES

1. Each student is asked to take out a clean piece of writing paper and a pencil. Do not put their name on this paper. Handout to students paper on ‘Writing an Article’ Discuss with the 5W’s of writing and doing a lead for their story.


2
. Discuss with students some story ideas relating to their family, school activities, extracurricular activities, their pet, etc. Write story ideas on board or piece of paper and then write student’s name beside it. Read to students sample article by SNN Reporter.


3. Students are then asked to write just the beginning of a story. The characters' names should not be those of students in the class and gory (blood and guts) plots are not allowed. They are given 5 minutes to write as much of the story as they can. (Time might be lengthened for older students).


4. At the end of 5 minutes, direct the students to pass their article to another student to read and review to ensure it answers the 5W’s.


5. Students then return the story they read back to the student who is writing it. The student then continues with the story for the next 5 minutes. Remind them that they are developing the plot.


6. At the end of this 5 minutes, again have the students pass their story to another student to review the development of the story. They can offer the writer suggestions, etc.


7. The student receives the story back, makes any changes to the plot and then proceeds to write the conclusion for his or her story.


8. Again allow the students 5 minutes for completion of writing.


9. Once they have finished the final paragraph, ask them to re-read the full article, making any minor changes that may be required.


10. WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Once students have completed their story have them copy it in their best writing or have them put on the computer. The stories can then be put on a class Web page or sent to their own school newspaper for publication.

 

 

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