State Standards: English Language Arts 3^rd Grade Elementary
State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.

The goal of this project it so change one paragraph to many. As second graders these students were taught simple sentence structure. As third graders these students will need to be introduced to several new writing elements. They will be taught about narrative, descriptive, cause and effects and expository paragraphs. For each paragraph that the students write, we will begin each class with a discussion about the style of writing and then help the students generate ideas about their paragraph(s).
We will use the house structure to build the first paragraph. Each side of the house represents a supporting idea to hold up the roof, their main idea. The house structure will help to organize the students ideas before they write them into the paragraph. To help the students move into writing five paragraphs we will use puzzle pieces. Each puzzle piece will represent supporting ideas to fit into their main idea piece.
The last concept that will be used will be the software Inspiration. By using this software it is our goal that the students will be able to see the different types of writing styles and be able to understand them before the pencil meets the paper. Also, by using this method it is our hope that their thoughts will be more coherent and organized.

Questions

Knowledge

Learned

Can students organize their thoughts into a 1 paragraph persuasive essay?

Can students understand the 1 paragraph idea?

Can they expand this idea to a more complex 5 paragraph essay?

Can they see the connection of a 5 paragraph essay with strategy assistance?

Can they choose a strategy that allows them to put their ideas down in an orderly way?

Can they support their ideas enough to establish their beliefs?

Students know how to write sentences.

Students know that they have to write legibly.

Students know that sentences end with a period.

Students know that they have to indent before they begin a new paragraph.

Students know that they need a main idea.

Students know that they need a conclusion.

Students know how to write using the house structure form.

Students know that others will be reading their papers.

All 20 students can organize their thoughts.

All 20 students have demonstrated they know and understand the 1 paragraph idea.

All 20 have written a 5 paragraph essay.

All 20 can make the connection with assistance. 17 out of 20 can make the connection without assistance.

17 out of 20 can choose a strategy that helps them accomplish their writing goal.

!7 out of 20 students can establish their beliefs by using sources such as the library, their own memories, and technology.