Writing Mini-Lesson

Bethanie Campbell

RE 5130

Grade: 5

Instructional Objective: Students will compose or write in their writer’s notebook using an array of genres.

Materials: Writing notebook, utensil, examples of books displaying different genres.

Procedure:

  1. Discuss the different forms of genres (Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, fairy tales, news articles, etc. Discuss how each of these genres is different; in the development of writing.
  2. Begin lesson by a specific topic that is being talked about in class. Could be integrated into another subject matter or just be a writing topic dealing with personal experiences, current event, etc.
  3. Teacher either has planned or has the students choose a topic that could easily be used to write in an array of different genres.
  4. Have students get out their writers notebook and tell them that they are going to practice writing in different genres. Let them know that it is just for practices and give them the different genres they will be writing in. For example, for fifth grade it could be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, news articles, and fairly tales. Explain that they will have three to five minutes to write about the topic for each different genre.
  5. Have students begin writing in one genre, after three- five minutes call out a different genre, after three- five minutes call out another genre. Depending on time chose 3-5 genres for the students to write in.
  6. Have students share their work
  7. Discuss how they displayed their topic differently using the different genres of writing.

Extension:

Have the students edit and revise their work. They could also choose one to genres to complete and share. Students could display work using technology (Newspaper article, journal, Microsoft word, etc.)

Assessment:

  • Have the students share their work to show an understanding of the different forms of genres.
  • Conduct conferences with individual students to discuss their journal entries using the different writing genres.
  • If extension of this lesson is completed; evaluating the final product of their work.

NCSCOS: Instructional Goals and Objectives

Competency Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.

Objective:3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:

  • Analyzing word choice and content.
  • Creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
  • Examining alternative perspectives.
  • Evaluating the differences among genres.
  • Examining relationships among characters.
  • Making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events, and themes.

Competency Goal 4:The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.

Objective:4.07: Compose a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using self-selected topic and format (e.g., poetry, research reports, news articles, letters to the editor, business letters).

Objective 4.08 Focus revision on target elements by:

  • Improving word choice.
  • Rearranging text for clarity.
  • Creating simple and/or complex sentences for clarity or impact.
  • Developing a lead, characters, or mood.

Objective 4.09 Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., essay, feature story, business letter).

Objective 4.10 Use technology as a tool to enhance and/or publish a product.

Sources:

This lesson was adapted from a chapter in Aimee Buckner’s Notebook Know-How.