Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)
- The students will understand the purpose and characteristics of informative and explanatory writing. They will learn that this type of writing is used to convey information and explain a topic, concept, or process in a clear and organized manner.
- The students will learn how to structure informative and explanatory writing. They will understand the importance of an introduction that presents the topic, a body that provides facts or explains the topic, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points.
- The students will develop the skills to research and gather information for their informative and explanatory writing. They will learn how to use reliable sources and take notes to organize their information effectively.
Secondary Objectives:
- The students will improve their critical thinking skills as they analyze and synthesize information for their writing.
- The students will enhance their communication skills as they learn to express complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
- The students will develop their problem-solving skills as they navigate the research process and identify the most important and relevant information for their writing.
Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)
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The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of their previous lessons on different types of writing, such as narrative and argumentative. The teacher then poses two situations to the class:
- "Imagine you were asked to explain the process of photosynthesis to a friend who knows nothing about it. What information would you include? How would you structure your explanation?"
- "Suppose you were tasked with writing a report on your favorite animal for a school project. What kind of information would you need to include? How would you organize your report?"
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The teacher then elaborates on the importance of informative and explanatory writing in real-world contexts. They explain that this type of writing is used in various fields, such as science, history, and even in everyday situations like writing a letter or an email.
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To grab the students' attention, the teacher presents two intriguing facts or stories related to informative and explanatory writing:
- "Did you know that the world's largest book, 'Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom,' is an informative and explanatory book that measures 5 by 7 feet when open?"
- "Have you ever wondered how news articles are written? Journalists use informative and explanatory writing to report facts and explain complex issues in a way that the general public can understand."
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The teacher then introduces the topic of the day: "Today, we are going to learn how to write informative and explanatory pieces. We will explore the purpose and structure of this type of writing, and we will also learn how to research and gather information for our writing."
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The teacher ends the introduction by encouraging students to participate actively in the lesson and ask questions if they don't understand something. "Remember, learning is a journey, and we are here to help each other. Let's get started!"
By the end of the introduction, students should have a clear understanding of what they will be learning and why it is important. They should also be engaged and curious about the topic.
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
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Introduction to Informative and Explanatory Writing (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher starts by defining informative and explanatory writing. They explain that this type of writing is used to convey information about a topic, process, or concept in a clear and organized manner.
- The teacher emphasizes that the purpose of this style of writing is to provide readers with knowledge and understanding. They highlight that while it is important to provide facts, the writer should also aim to explain these facts in a way that the reader can easily understand.
- The teacher uses examples to illustrate the concept. They might show a short infographic or a news article that demonstrates how informative and explanatory writing is used in the real world.
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Characteristics of Informative and Explanatory Writing (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher then moves on to discuss the key characteristics of informative and explanatory writing. They explain that this type of writing is:
- Objective: The writer presents the facts without personal bias or opinion.
- Clear and Concise: The writer uses simple and direct language to explain complex ideas.
- Well-Structured: The writing follows a logical order, with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Well-Supported: The writer provides evidence and examples to support their points.
- The teacher gives examples to illustrate each characteristic. For instance, they might show a paragraph from a textbook that provides clear and concise information, or a section from a how-to guide that is well-structured and well-supported.
- The teacher then moves on to discuss the key characteristics of informative and explanatory writing. They explain that this type of writing is:
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Structure of Informative and Explanatory Writing (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher then explains the typical structure of informative and explanatory writing. They break this down into three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
- The teacher elaborates on each part:
- Introduction: The teacher explains that the introduction presents the topic and sets the stage for the rest of the piece. It should grab the reader's attention and provide a preview of what will be explained.
- Body: The teacher explains that the body is where the writer provides the information or explanation. It should be well-structured and ordered in a logical way. The teacher emphasizes that each paragraph should focus on one main idea, and each sentence within that paragraph should support that main idea.
- Conclusion: The teacher clarifies that the conclusion wraps up the piece. It should summarize the main points and provide a sense of closure.
- The teacher shows an example of a piece of informative and explanatory writing and highlights each section to help students understand the structure.
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Research and Gathering Information (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher moves on to the next stage: researching and gathering information. They explain that before writing an informative and explanatory piece, it's important to gather all the necessary information about the topic.
- The teacher gives tips on how to research effectively: using reliable sources (such as books, reputable websites, and databases), taking notes to organize information, and citing sources to avoid plagiarism.
- The teacher may demonstrate how to use a simple research method, like the "5 W's and 1 H" (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), to gather information.
- The teacher shows an example of how to take notes and cite sources using a sample text, and encourages students to practice these skills with a topic of their choice.
By the end of this stage, students should have a clear understanding of what informative and explanatory writing is, its key characteristics, its structure, and how to research and gather information for it. The teacher should have used clear explanations, examples, and interactive activities to help students understand and practice these concepts.
Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)
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Assessment of Learning (3 - 4 minutes)
- The teacher begins the feedback stage by assessing what was learned during the lesson. They ask a series of reflective questions to the students, such as:
- "Can you explain what informative and explanatory writing is?"
- "What are the key characteristics of informative and explanatory writing?"
- "Can you describe the structure of an informative and explanatory piece?"
- "How do you research and gather information for an informative and explanatory piece?"
- The teacher listens to the students' responses and provides corrective feedback if necessary. They may also ask follow-up questions to deepen the students' understanding and to ensure that the learning objectives have been met.
- The teacher begins the feedback stage by assessing what was learned during the lesson. They ask a series of reflective questions to the students, such as:
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Connecting Theory and Practice (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher then facilitates a discussion to connect the theoretical knowledge learned in the lesson with real-world applications. They ask the students to think about how they can apply what they've learned in their everyday lives or in other subjects.
- The teacher can provide examples, such as:
- "You can use your new skills in informative and explanatory writing to write a report for science class or explain a historical event in social studies."
- "If you're ever asked to give a presentation or write a speech, you can use the same structure and techniques we've learned today to present your ideas clearly and concisely."
- The teacher encourages the students to share their own ideas and experiences, fostering a sense of relevance and applicability for the skills they've learned.
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Reflection (3 - 4 minutes)
- To wrap up the lesson, the teacher proposes a moment of reflection. They ask the students to think about and answer the following questions:
- "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
- "What questions do you still have about informative and explanatory writing?"
- The teacher gives the students a minute to think and then invites a few students to share their thoughts. The teacher listens attentively, provides feedback, and addresses any remaining questions or concerns.
- The teacher emphasizes that it's okay to have questions and encourages the students to continue exploring and learning about informative and explanatory writing.
- To wrap up the lesson, the teacher proposes a moment of reflection. They ask the students to think about and answer the following questions:
By the end of the feedback stage, the teacher should have a clear understanding of what the students have learned and what areas may need further clarification or reinforcement. The students should feel confident in their understanding of informative and explanatory writing and its practical applications, and they should be motivated to continue learning and improving their skills in this area.
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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Summary and Recap (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They reiterate the definition of informative and explanatory writing, its purpose, and its key characteristics.
- The teacher reviews the structure of an informative and explanatory piece, reminding students of the importance of a well-crafted introduction, a logically organized body, and a concise and impactful conclusion.
- The teacher also reminds students of the research skills they learned, such as using reliable sources, taking notes, and citing sources.
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Linking Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes)
- The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and real-world applications. They emphasize that the theoretical knowledge about informative and explanatory writing was applied during the practice activities, such as analyzing a sample piece, and researching and note-taking exercises.
- The teacher also highlights the real-world applications of these skills, such as writing reports, giving presentations, and even in everyday situations like writing emails or letters. They reiterate that these skills are not just for the English classroom, but are also valuable in other subjects and in various professional contexts.
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Additional Materials (1 minute)
- To further students' understanding of the topic, the teacher suggests additional materials for self-study. These could include:
- Online resources: Websites like Khan Academy or Education.com offer interactive lessons and practice exercises on informative and explanatory writing.
- Books: The teacher can recommend age-appropriate books that demonstrate informative and explanatory writing, such as "The Way Things Work" by David Macaulay or "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba.
- Writing prompts: The teacher can provide a list of informative and explanatory writing prompts for students to practice at home.
- Worksheets: The teacher can provide worksheets for students to practice identifying the different parts of an informative and explanatory piece.
- To further students' understanding of the topic, the teacher suggests additional materials for self-study. These could include:
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Importance of the Topic (1 minute)
- Lastly, the teacher underscores the importance of the topic by explaining its relevance in everyday life. They emphasize that being able to communicate clearly and effectively is a crucial skill that can benefit them in school, in their future careers, and in their personal lives.
- The teacher encourages the students to continue practicing their informative and explanatory writing skills, reminding them that the more they practice, the better they will become.
By the end of the conclusion, the students should have a clear understanding of the main concepts of the lesson, how these concepts are applied in real-world contexts, and where they can find additional resources to further their learning. They should also feel motivated to continue practicing and improving their informative and explanatory writing skills.