Writing a Topic

Sentence

You can do it!

Activities:A. As a class:

1. Discuss what a topic sentence is.2. Look at kinds of topic sentences you can write.

B. Individually:1. Revisit your topic sentences on the research

outline. Revise your topic sentences. (challenge yourself to use different forms for each introduction.) C. In your research group:

1. Each member of that group will share their topic sentences. Members in the group will edit them together. *Make sure the topic sentences introduce the main idea (theme) of the information to follow.

D. As a class: 1. Students will share their revised topic sentences.

You can do it!

What is a Topic Sentence?

Write your idea here:

What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence introduces a paragraph.

It tells the reader what a paragraph is about.

It contains the main idea.

You can write different kinds of topic sentences.

You can ask a question.

You can use one or two words.

You can use a sound.

You can use an interesting fact.

You can capture a moment.

You can state a belief or opinion.

You can begin with a quotation.

You can ask a question.

Do you remember the moment you started to swim?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sink to the bottom of the deepest ocean trench in a bathysphere?

What scares you in the middle of the night?

Write two examples of a topic sentence by asking a question.

You can use one or two words.

Oh no!Fire!

Jelly Beans!

Skateboards!

Write two examples of a topic sentence by using one or two words.

You can begin with a quotation.

"Don't ever whistle at the northern lights!" said Uncle Pipe.

"Remember the time we jumped over the hole that went to the center of the earth?" asked my brother Roy.

"Help!" I sobbed clinging to the ladder of the forestry tower.

Write two examples of a topic sentence using a quotation.

You

You can use a sound.

Whoosh!

Snap!Creak!

Meow!

Write two examples of a topic sentence by using a sound.

You can use an interesting fact.

It's hard to believe, but Aurora has a bigger population than Iceland!

A tarantula can live five to ten years.

The ancient Greeks called comets "hairy stars."

Write two examples of a topic sentence by writing an interesting fact.

You can capture a moment.

It was a warm summer night, when I crept out of the cabin to whistle at the northern lights.

Suddenly I did a face plant on the pavement.

My mother appeared with a birthday cake blazing with candles.

Write two examples of a topic sentence by capturing a moment.

You can state a belief or opinion.

Broccoli ought to be banned from the school cafeteria.

Sunrise students need P.E. every day.

Parents, let your children stay up as late as they want.

Write two examples of a topic sentence by stating a belief or an opinion.

To Do:1. Revisit your topic sentences on the research outline.

Revise your topic sentences. (Challenge yourself to use different forms for each topic sentence.)

2. Then meet with your research partner (or group). Each member of your group will share their topic sentences.

3. Members in the group will edit them together. *Make sure the topic sentences introduce the main idea (theme) of the information to follow.

4. Be prepared to share your paragraphs in whole group.

Let's Write!

You can do it!

Are you ready? Let's write a paragraph with a good topic

sentence !

Name of Lesson: Writing a Topic Sentence

Grade/Content Area: 3rd/Writing/Introduction

Your Name: M. Louise Barbour

GVC Standard and Benchmark(s): Writing Standard 2: Students write and speak using conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

21st Century Standard/Benchmark(s): ISTE (2007, for students): 1. Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

Learning Outcomes: 1. Students will know what a topic sentence is.2. Students will explore several kinds of topic sentences.3. Students will be able to write a topic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph.

Learning Activity: Students will review what a topic sentence is. They will look at kinds of topic sentences. They will practice writing several topic sentences. Finally they will demonstrate they can write a topic sentence by writing a paragraph with a good topic sentence.

Assessment: Students paragraphs will be evaluated using the third grade CSAP rubric.

Lesson found on Smart Exchange and altered to fit 5th grade curriculum and lesson purpose.

Note: All images are googled Free Clip Art. None are actual students in my class.