English Lesson Plan: Topic Sentences

Objective: Students will be able to explain what a topic sentence is.

Lesson Opening

1. Ask the students to remind you what a paragraph is. Then ask them what the difference is between main idea and supporting details. Tell them the following story and ask them to identify the main idea and supporting details.

1. "I am such a klutz. Today I tripped over my own shoelaces. Then I bumped my elbow on the door and I stubbed my toe on the desk. My toe and my elbow are stil in pain. I feel like a complete idiot."

Guided Practice

1. Ask the children if they know what a topic sentence is. Put the "Notes" overhead on the projector and have them copy it down.

1. Explain that a topic sentence doesn't always come first in a paragraph, but for today's purposes it will. Ask them why it usually makes the most sense to put your topic sentence as the first sentence in a paragraph. Then ask them where the next most logical place to put the topic sentence is (the last paragraph)

1. Explain that if you were writing a mystery, it would make more sense to put the topic sentence in the back. Have them explain why. However, since we will be using these tools to write an analytical essay about Ancient Greeks and Native Americans, topic sentences should go in the beginning.

Independent Practice

1. You have a couple of different choices for independent practice. I photocopied several sheets about topic sentences. Use the multiple choice sheet if the children are still confused and have them debate with their partners. Or have them write their own topic sentences and work by themselves.

Closing

1. Explain to them that they are going to have to come up with topic sentences for their analytical essays today. They should think long and hard about what they want them to be.