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Hook / Warm-Up
⏱ 3-5m
Engagement
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Paragraph Brainstorm
Think of a favorite hobby. Write down one sentence that describes it. Share with a partner.
How to run it: Think of a favorite hobby. Write down one sentence that describes it. Share with a partner.
▶ Optional video follow-up - find in Deck
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Write a sentence about a favorite hobby and share with a partner.
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Introduction
Introduction to Crafting Clear Paragraphs
A paragraph is a group of sentences that are about one main idea. It has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
In this resource: Students will use the uploaded resource to write a paragraph about a given topic, ensuring they include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
Lesson flow: First, watch the teacher model how to learn how to write a well-structured paragraph. Next, practise it together as a class. Then, work independently: Students will use the uploaded resource to write a paragraph about a given topic, ensuring they include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
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Learning About Crafting Clear Paragraphs
A strong paragraph is more than several sentences placed together. It has one clear main idea, details that explain that idea, linking words that help the reader follow the order, and a final sentence that closes the paragraph without starting a new idea.
Start with one main idea
The topic sentence tells the reader what the whole paragraph will focus on. If the topic sentence is too broad or unclear, the rest of the paragraph becomes harder to organise.
Add supporting details
Supporting details must connect directly to the topic sentence. Each detail should explain, prove or describe the same main idea instead of drifting to a new topic.
Use linking words
Transition words such as first, also, next and finally help ideas flow in a sensible order. They show how one sentence connects to the next so the paragraph feels coherent.
Finish without adding a new topic
A concluding sentence wraps up the main idea in a fresh way. It should close the paragraph instead of introducing a new detail that needs another explanation.
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Explicit Teaching
⏱ 15m
Concept Delivery
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Teach the lesson by starting with a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge. Model how to write a well-structured paragraph, then guide students through writing their own paragraphs. Provide support and extension options as needed. Modelling goal: Model how to write a well-structured paragraph. Main lesson focus applied: The lesson is centered around teaching students how to write a well-structured paragraph. Student end goal applied: The end goal shapes the success criteria, checks, and practice activities to ensure students can independently write a paragraph by the end of the lesson. Lesson position applied: The lesson position is not specified, so it is assumed to be a standalone lesson on paragraph writing. Prior knowledge applied: Students are expected to have basic sentence structure knowledge and some familiarity with the concept of a paragraph. Teaching focus applied: The teaching focus is on the structure and components of a paragraph. Main lesson focus applied: keep the modelling, vocabulary, examples, images and checks centred on WRiting paragraphs. Neurodiversity/non-verbal communication access used: keep the lesson sequence predictable and visual, reduce verbal load, and allow pointing, matching, drawing, AAC or communication-board responses instead of requiring spoken answers.
🎯 Teaching slides — see Deck
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Students follow the model, explain the important step or clue, and respond to the guided prompt.
💬 What are the three parts of a paragraph?
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Key Vocabulary
Paragraph
A group of sentences that are about one main idea.
Topic sentence
The sentence that tells the main idea of the paragraph.
Concluding sentence
The sentence that wraps up the paragraph and reminds the reader of the main idea.
supporting detail
A sentence that explains, proves or adds information about the topic sentence.
elaboration
Extra explanation or example that makes a supporting detail clearer and more interesting.
transition word
A linking word or phrase, such as first, next, also or finally, that helps ideas flow in order.
Modelling Steps
1
Identify the Topic Sentence - First, I think of the main idea I want to write about. Then, I write a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. - Students notice: The teacher writes a clear topic sentence.
2
Add Supporting Details - Next, I add supporting details that give more information about the topic sentence. I make sure each detail is related to the main idea. - Students notice: The teacher adds relevant supporting details.
3
Write the Concluding Sentence - Finally, I write a concluding sentence that wraps up the paragraph and reminds the reader of the main idea. - Students notice: The teacher writes a concluding sentence.
Worked Examples
Example 1
Write a paragraph about your favorite animal.
Topic Sentence: My favorite animal is the elephant. Supporting Details: Elephants are large and have a long trunk. They live in Africa and Asia. Elephants are very smart and can remember things for a long time. Concluding Sentence: In conclusion, elephants are amazing animals with many interesting features.
Example 2
Write a paragraph about your favorite sport.
Topic Sentence: My favorite sport is soccer. Supporting Details: Soccer is played with a round ball and two teams. Players use their feet to kick the ball and try to score goals. Soccer is a fun and exciting sport. Concluding Sentence: In conclusion, soccer is a great sport that I enjoy playing and watching.
Responsive Teaching Check
Check Understanding
What are the three parts of a paragraph?
Expected response: Topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence.
Respond and Decide
Likely misconception: Students may think a paragraph is just a group of sentences without a clear structure.
Immediate correction: Re-model how to write a well-structured paragraph with a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. If students need extra support, adjust the correction using the teacher class note: "1 Student suffers autism and is very disruptive at times". If communication access is a barrier, offer a visual choice, pointing/matching response, AAC option or extra wait time before expecting a spoken or written answer.
Ready to continue when: Students can explain the model and apply it to the guided practice.
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Worksheet Practice
⏱ 12m
Independent Practice
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Guide students as they apply the model to the uploaded resource. Students will use the uploaded resource to write a paragraph about a given topic, ensuring they include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Class notes applied: adapt support for 1 Student suffers autism and is very disruptive at times.
📎 Worksheet displayed — see Deck
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Students will use the uploaded resource to write a paragraph about a given topic, ensuring they include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
Support
Provide visual sequences, first-then prompts, and AAC response options for a student with autism. Offer sentence starters or a paragraph outline for students who need extra support. Class notes applied: The lesson includes visual sequences, first-then prompts, and AAC response options to support a student with autism who may be disruptive. Teacher class note support: adapt prompts, examples, grouping, pacing or access so the lesson accounts for "1 Student suffers autism and is very disruptive at times".
Extension
Challenge advanced students to add transition words to their paragraph to improve the flow of ideas.
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Plenary / Exit
⏱ 5m
Consolidation
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Write a paragraph about your favorite holiday. Include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Check whether students can explain or apply the main lesson focus: WRiting paragraphs.
🎯 Exit Ticket — see Deck
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Written paragraph
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