Paragraph Writing

Though primary teachers work to help their younger students understand the importance of organization in writing, many times students still need practice in the intermediate grades.  Beyond writing complete and detailed sentences, students need to understand that the development of paragraphs has to be approached in an organized way in order for their writing to be clear to readers.  Here we have created some resources that can be used a number of different ways – guided as a mini-lesson, for review or for writing planning.

Here is a paragraph flipbook that can be used to introduce or review the parts of a well-written paragraph.  Print BOTH pages (front and inside) and then copy them back-to-back so that, when folded, the front covers the descriptions inside.  (If you’re like me…this may take a few attempts!)

Perfect Paragraph Flipbook (Inside Descriptions)

Perfect Paragraph Flipbook (Front)

If you want to use the same idea, but have your students write descriptions along with you in a guided lesson OR even use it as a review after you’ve taught the parts of  a well-written paragraph, here is the inside of the flipbook without the descriptions:

Perfect Paragraph Flipbook (Inside Blank)

Once your students know what is involved in writing a good paragraph they can use the following organizer for a rough draft and then use the paper for a final draft.  (Note – be sure to let them know that they are not limited to three detail sentences, but that they should (in most cases) have no more than five.)

Perfect Paragraph Graphic Organizer

Perfect Paragraph Lined Paper

Another Idea:

Most of you are familiar with the “hamburger paragraph” way of teaching paragraphs. (Top Bun = Topic Sentence, Hamburger & Toppings = Detail Sentences, Bottom Bun = Conclusion Sentence).  The following two graphic organizers (one is just more colorful) can be used if you have taught paragraph writing using that method.

Hamburger Paragraph Organizer #1

Hamburger Paragraph Organizer #2