Lesson Plan: Writing Informational Pieces

The following is a lesson plan dealing with giving quality directions. I have actually done this in a classroom and it worked out very well! The only thing that you may want to tweak is the final activity. The directions were a little confusing, but the activity was worthwhile. The students were active and engaged throughout the lesson. The students really enjoyed making the sandwiches. One thing that an instructor would need to pay attention to is if students in their class are allergic to peanuts or any other of the edible ingredients. In this instance, I suggest using another comparable food product. Lesson Plan Format

Based on Wiggins & McTighe's Understanding by Design

Lesson Title: Writing Informational Pieces

Grade Level: 3

Curriculum Standards:

1.4.3 Types of Writing

A. Write informational pieces (i.e., descriptions, letters, reports, instructions) using illustrations when relevant.

Key/Essential Question: What steps do you take to write clear directions that everyone will understand?

Key Concepts/Enduring

Understandings: Students will know the importance for giving clear directions.

Students will know how to test the clarity of directions they writes.

Key Skills: 1. Students will be able to evaluate the quality of directions they write.

2.Students will be able to write directions.

3.The students will be able to follow directions to complete a task.

Evidence of Learning: Assessment Evidence:

Performance Task(s)/Project(s):

Students will sing songs/dance about directions.

Students will give verbal directions to the teachers.

Students as a group will write a complete set of directions.

Students will perform a task based off of other student's directions.

Other Evidence (i.e. observations, dialogues)

Students will participate in group discussion.

Materials: Chalkboard

Chalk

Paper

Peanut Butter

Knife

Bread

Hokey Pokey Lyrics

Notebook paper

Pencil

Learning Plan:Introductory Activity ( __8__ min.)

The students will sing the Hokey Pokey. The students will then give the teacher directions on how to solve the addition problem 3+4=7 by writing it out on the blackboard.

Developmental Activity( _7__ min.)

(Obj. # 3) The teacher will model using sequence words (e.g. first, second, next) how to make a simple paper airplane. The teacher will highlight the importance of using these words when writing directions.

Application Activity ( _15___ min.)

(Obj. # 1,2 ) The students, in a group, will write a set of directions to making a peanut butter sandwich. One group will be selected to read their directions to another group to carry out the task.