Monumental MonumentsLearning Paragraph Writing






Grade level(s):  Three/Four

Learner Outcomes:  The students will be able to write a paragraph with a topic sentence about
                                            their favorite monument.
                                      The students will be able to write a paragraph with supporting details of their
                                            favorite monument in Washington, D.C.
                                      The students will be able to write a paragraph with a good ending about
                                            their favorite monument.

Duration of Lesson:  5 -(30-40 minute) lessons

Materials:  Word processor or pencil and paper
                     reference material
                     Model of a monument that can be taken apart (at least 3 sections)
                            1.  foundation
                            2. top
                            3. middle

Technology Tools/ Courseware:  Microsoft Word or other word processor
                                                               Microsoft  Encarta 98
                                                               Microsoft Virtual Globe

Teacher notes:  The students will have researched the monuments before beginning this lesson.

Procedures:  Begin by talking about what you need to make a good monument.  A good
                          paragraph needs a good foundation to build upon.  It must have a beginning sentence.
                          (Show  foundation piece)  It must also have a good ending.  It must have a good closing
                          sentence.  (show top)  But it is not complete unless it has a middle.  These are the
                          sentences that make the building take shape.  It must have supporting ideas.  (show them
                          the middle of the building)
                               1.  Set guidelines for the information needed in the paragraph.
                                        a. topic sentence
                                        b. closing sentence
                                        c. supporting details (at least 3)
                                2.  Brainstorm
                                3.  Write the rough draft.
                                4.  Peer edit
                                5.  Proofread
                                6.  Prepare final copy

Modifications:
                         1.  Lower level students can write sentences or dictate to their teacher, parent
                              volunteer, or another student their information.
                         2.  The students could use a video or tape recorder to record their paragraph.

Enrichment Activities:
                        1.  Advanced students should be able to include several paragraphs on each site.
                        2.  The students could write a short play, poem, or story on their favorite sites.
                        3.  Write Ads for their favorite sites.
                        4.  Write a proposal for a new monument.

Evaluation/Assessment: Use a rubric to critique the paragraph.

Instructional Goals and Objectives:
 WV Instructional Goals and Objectives: Language Arts 3
                                                                     Communication 3.4, 3.8
                                                                     Writing 3.41,3.42,3.43,3.44,3.45,3.46
                                                                     Language 3.57
                                                                     Technology 3.83, 3.85, 3.90
National Standards
 

Career Cluster:  Arts
                              Engineering/Technology
References:
                    Microsoft Encarta

                    Six Step Approach to Writing Paragraphs by Jeannine Branch

                   Washington, D.C. Sightseeing (Monuments, Museums, and Other Tourist Information) -
                        Washington, D.C. Registry Washington, DC's Online Community Search Washington, DC!

                Senator Gordon Smith I understand how difficult it can be to find information on sites
                        and activities in Washington.  In planning your trip, many question can arise. How can tour
                        the White House?

                 Washington - Welcome to Washington, D.C.!  What a great place to visit and an
                        exciting place to learn about!!!  The purpose of this web page is to give fourth graders the
                       chance  to learn about Washington, D.C. monuments and the historical people they were
                       created for.
 

Created byThomasene Everly  - Cheat Lake Elementary

Go to Lessons:  | 1234 | 6 7 8 9 |

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