When our state changed writing standards several years back it became especially challenging to find quality, targeted instructional material. While creative writing prompts were abundant (Imagine you could have any job for one day…), resources for writing text-based essays were few and far between. Even materials from our textbook provider seemed to have been hastily thrown together. The example essays did NOT match the requirements of our state writing assessments. The source texts were only loosely aligned to the prompt, and to one another.
Frustrated, I began creating my own…literally researching and writing my own text sets and exemplars. I made video tutorials and practice activities to reinforce skills like analyzing the prompt and elaboration (always a challenge, that one). Now, I’m fine-tuning those original lesson presentations with lessons learned over time, and I’m making them available to other teachers in an editable form. Because we all have our own tips and methods to pass on — especially when it comes to writing.
Each new lesson presentation is available to my followers for FREE immediately following its introduction. This post is to let you know I just released a PowerPoint on Body Paragraphs, and over the next month I’ll be uploading new presentations for Citing Text Evidence and Writing a Conclusion. I’m also working on a new essay packet and additional practice activities suitable for use in literacy centers. All materials will be available through TeachersPayTeachers.com. If you’re not already following me there, you may want to consider it. Followers receive an email notice every time I upload a new product.
I appreciate your support. I appreciate what you do for our students and our collective future. (I don’t think any of us hear that enough!) I’m honored to be a part of it!
