In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about Informational Writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the features of informational text for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to summarize for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to respond to a prompt for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a focus statement for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a hook for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft an introduction paragraph for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a conclusion sentence for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a conclusion paragraph for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about types of supporting details for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to paraphrase authors' ideas for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to integrate quotes into their informational writing by using the Quote Sandwich - introduction, quote, explanation. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about using good sources for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about taking notes for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a body paragraph for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to use linking words to connect ideas for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 15 - 20 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to compose a Compare and Contrast Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the 5-Paragraph Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a How-To Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a Problem/Solution Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a Cause and Effect Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the uses and benefits of formal style for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about sentence variety for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about using expert words for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. Check out Assignment Resources for links to teacher materials from our partners at Smekens Education.

Proficiency Level: Approaching, Below

In this assignment, students read "Busy Beavers," an informational article about beavers. Students then fill in the Concept Map Organizer with information from the reading. Students demonstrate comprehension about the topic and find details and evidence from the text. Analyzing a reading, finding evidence in a text, and making connections between different pieces of information are key skills required for comprehension and writing in the Information genre.

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes.

Proficiency Level: Meets, Approaching, Below

In this assignment, students watch a five-minute video about Harriet Tubman. Students reflect on and analyze the video, a short biography about an amazing historical figure. Students use details from the video to complete the Graphic Organizer, helping them to organize their ideas. Students' responses in the Graphic Organizer will demonstrate their understanding about who Harriet Tubman was and how she helped shape the nation.

Duration: 15-20 mins

Proficiency Level: Below

Students use a Compare-and-Contrast Planner to plan a Compare-and-Contrast Essay comparing themselves to a character from a book or movie. Students fill in the planner with information about the character and a description of the ways they are similar to and different from the character. 

Duration: 20 minutes

Proficiency Level: Below

Students may have encountered writing prompts before, but do they know how to interpret the task? In this assignment, students read the article “Pass on Salt” that raises the alarm on excessive salt consumption amongst kids. Students then analyze a writing prompt and complete a Graphic Organizer where they first practice separating the prompt into its parts, honing in on the critical middle part—the task. They then practice decoding the writing task using the RAFT strategy (role, audience, format, topic). Being able to independently read a prompt, identify the task, and accurately interpret the task, are essential skills students need to succeed in test settings, on school assignments, and in communicating clearly through writing. 

This assignment goes with the Smekens Quick Clips PD video: "How Do You Prepare Kids to Decode Prompts?"

Duration: 15-20 mins

Proficiency Level: Below

Use this assignment to model for students how to follow five steps to make an inference. Read a short, simple text with students. Then model how to fill out a graphic organizer to list relevant details from the text (the "reading voice") and your observations (the "thinking voice"). Finally, model how to use that information to come up with an inference in response to a short constructed-response question. 

This assignment is a companion to this Quick Clip video featuring Kristina Smekens. You can either fill out the graphic organizer digitally or print/project the "head silhouette" graphic organizer and then transfer your notes into this assignment. 

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Proficiency Level: Below

In this assignment, students read the TIME for Kids article "Safe Travels," by Rebecca Mordechai, and plan an Informative Paragraph about the topic. Students complete a Graphic Organizer (Planner). Practicing skills such as analyzing a text for information, summarizing key concepts, and citing evidence will prepare students for writing in the Information genre. 

Duration: 15-20 mins

Proficiency Level: Below

In this assignment, students read the TIME for Kids article "Speak, Fido!," by Shay Maunz, and plan an Informative Paragraph about the topic. Students complete a Graphic Organizer (Planner). Practicing skills such as analyzing a text for information, summarizing key concepts, and citing evidence will prepare students for writing in the Information genre.

Duration: 15-20 mins

Proficiency Level: Approaching

In this assignments, students review an anchor chart about the use of questions and inferences in writing. Then they free write.

Duration: 10-15 minutes

Proficiency Level: Approaching

In this assignment, write the first few sentences about a topic. Includes an anchor chart that explains writing a central idea.

Duration: 5-10 mins

Quick Write Informative Paragraph: The theme of this collection of skills activities is Exploring the Natural World. Each reading selection focuses on a topic related to the natural environment. In this activity, students activate their prior knowledge about this theme by choosing an activity they like to do in nature and writing a Quick Write Informative Paragraph about it. They describe the activity using details, descriptions, facts, and examples to inform someone who might be interested in the activity as well. This brief assignment helps students prepare for the skills activities by considering the theme and beginning to write in the Information genre.

Duration: 20 minutes

New Introductory Paragraph: In this activity, students read "Chill Ways to Recycle Last Year's Snow," an informational article about recycling snow. Then they write a New Introductory Paragraph for the article that is more interesting than the original introduction and that states the topic more clearly. Students focus on hooking the reader and providing a focus statement about the topic. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the selection and plan their New Introductory Paragraph.

Duration: one class period

Response to Text: In this activity, students read "A Bird Came Down the Walk," a poem by Emily Dickinson. Then they write a Response to Text about Dickinson's use of descriptive language. Students focus on the skill of analyzing a text. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the poem and plan their Response to Text.

Duration: one class period

Informational Report: In this activity, students read "Looking Back: The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 8 Mission," an informational article about the first time humans traveled into space. Then they write an Informational Report about the mission. Students focus on the skill of developing a topic with details and examples. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the selection and plan their Informational Report.

Duration: one class period

Short Article: In this activity, students read the Student Sample, "Ecotourism," an informative essay written by a fourth-grade student. They notice the problem-solution organizational structure of the essay. Then they write a Short Article about a problem in nature or the environment. Students use the same problem-solution format and focus on the skills of organizing their writing clearly and using linking words to connect ideas. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze the Student Sample and plan their Short Article.

Duration: one class period

Informative Paragraph: In this activity, students read "Growing Up in Tornado Alley," an informational article about tornadoes. Then they write an Informative Paragraph about a type of extreme weather that they know about. Students focus on the skill of using precise words and domain-specific vocabulary. Before writing, students complete graphic organizers to analyze selection and plan their Informative Paragraph.

Duration: one class period

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about Informational Writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the features of informational text for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to summarize for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to respond to a prompt for informational writing. This lesson is in Spanish and inckudes a variety of questions to review the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a focus statement for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a hook for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft an introduction paragraph for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a conclusion sentence for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to craft a conclusion paragraph for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about types of supporting details for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to paraphrase authors' ideas for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to integrate quotes into their informational writing by using the Quote Sandwich - introduction, quote, explanation. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about using good sources for informational writing. This Spanish-language lesson includes a variety of questions to review the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about taking notes for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a body paragraph for informational writing. This Spanish-language lesson includes a variety of questions to review the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn to use linking words to connect ideas for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn how to compose a Compare and Contrast Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the 5-Paragraph Essay for informational writing. This Spanish-language lesson includes a variety of questions to review the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a How-To Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a Problem/Solution Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the elements of a Cause and Effect Essay for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This Spanish-language lesson includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about the uses and benefits of formal style for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill. 

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about sentence variety for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.

In this 10-15 minute mini-lesson, students learn about using expert words for informational writing. Students respond to a variety of questions to review the skill. This lesson is in Spanish and includes a short constructed response section so students can practice applying the skill.