Tool E4-3a

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E4-3a Informative/Explanatory Writing: Stating the Facts

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Title = Important Resources on Earth Topic = Resources on Earth

P

P

Above the

ground

Below the

ground

– Sun

– Trees and plants

– Oil

– Coal

Conclusion = Many types of resources on Earth

Title = Important Resources on Earth Topic = Resources on Earth

P

P

Above the ground

Below the

ground

– Sun

• Used for solar power

– Trees and plants

• Wood to build houses

– Air

• People need it to breathe

– Oil

• Used in cars

– Coal

• Power for houses and factories

Conclusion = People need resources to make many things.

Outlines of Different Lengths

Tool E4-6c

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E4-6c Informative/Explanatory Writing: Stating the Facts

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Informative/Explanatory Essays and Reports: Example

Prompt: Write a short essay about an animal and its defenses. Explain one or two ways it defends itself from predators. Be specific and include interesting details.

The Nasty Defenses of the Spanish Ribbed Newt

INTRODUCTION

Topic Sentence Plan

In nature, animals protect themselves many ways. Some run away quickly, but some fight back. The Spanish ribbed newt is an odd animal. It has a two-part defense to keep from being eaten.

BODY PARAGRAPH

Transition Topic SentenceElaborating Sentences

The first part of this amphibian’s defense is spiky. It can push its sharp ribs right through its skin. An attacking animal will suffer a lot of pain.

BODY PARAGRAPH

Transition Topic SentenceElaborating Sentences

Poison makes up the other part of the newt’s defense. It releases the poison from its skin, so its ribs get coated in it. A predator will get an unpleasant mouthful of bone and poison if it chomps down.

CONCLUSION

Closing Sentences

Together, these nasty defenses protect the Spanish ribbed newt. A smart predator learns quickly to pick something nicer to eat.

Work Cited: Walker, Matt. “Bizarre Newt Uses Ribs as Weapons.” BBC, 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 14 May 2014.

Tool E4-9a

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E4-9a Informative/Explanatory Writing: Stating the Facts

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Don't S

tack

: E

ssay

s an

d R

eport

sS

tret

chin

g Y

our

Par

agra

ph

into

an

Ess

ay o

r R

epo

rt!

Sho

rter

Acc

ord

ion

Par

agra

ph

Long

er A

cco

rdio

n P

arag

rap

hA

cco

rdio

n E

ssay

or

Rep

ort

(T)

(T)

(T)

(T)

(gre

en)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(gre

en)

(gre

en)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(red)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(red)

(gre

en)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(T)

(yell

ow)

(red)

(T)

(gre

en)

(gre

en)

Tool E5-1a

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E5-1a Opinion Writing: Supporting a Point of View

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Opinions vs. Reasons

OpinionAn opinion is a statement based on thoughts or feelings. An opinion is not always true for everyone. Examples of opinions:

• I think orange juice costs too much.• Basketball is the best sport.

ReasonA reason is a statement that can be proven true. A reason can be used to support an opinion.

• The price of orange juice has gone up two dollars.• I play basketball every day after school.

Directions: Cut out the strips. Match two reasons to the opinion they support. Explain why one reason is stronger than the other.

Opinions

Opinion #1: The city should lower the speed limit on our roads.

Opinion #2: Abraham Lincoln was a great president.

Opinion #3: Vending machines should be allowed in schools.

Reasons

He led the U.S. during a difficult time.

I get carsick when we drive fast.

Some snacks in vending machines are healthy.

Lincoln told jokes and funny stories to people.

Driving slower reduces car accidents.

I sometimes get hungry and want a quick snack.

✄

Tool E5-4a

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E5-4a Opinion Writing: Supporting a Point of View

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

A F

ive-S

ente

nce

Opin

ion P

aragra

ph

T

itle

= B

e Stra

w-Fr

ee!

To

pic

/Op

inio

n =

Sto

p us

ing

plas

tic st

raws

PPl

astic

stra

ws

crea

te a

lot o

f ga

rbag

e

PD

on’t

need

pl

astic

stra

ws

PM

ore f

un to

sip

Co

ncl

usi

on

= S

ay n

o to

plas

tic st

raws

Be

Str

aw-F

ree!

Man

y re

staur

ants

give

us p

lastic

str

aws f

or o

ur d

rinks

, and

we n

eed

to as

k th

em to

stop

. Firs

t, we

onl

y us

e stra

ws o

nce a

nd th

row

them

aw

ay, c

reat

ing

a lot

of g

arba

ge.

Seco

nd, w

e don

’t ne

ed st

raws

to

drin

k. Th

ird, i

t is m

ore f

un to

sip

from

a cu

p. Th

at is

why

eve

ryon

e sh

ould

say

no to

plas

tic st

raws

.

Wo

rk C

ited

: “B

e S

traw

Fre

e C

ampa

ign:

Fre

quen

tly A

sked

Que

stio

ns.”

eco

cycl

e.or

g. E

co-C

ycle

, n.d

. Web

. 28

May

201

4.

Tool E6-5b

©2015 Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.Permission is granted to reproduce this page for Step Up to Writing classroom use. Tool E6-5b Narrative Writing: Telling a Story

Step Up to Writing • Grades 3–5

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Prewriting with a Story Map: Template

Problem

Solution

Who (characters)

Where/When (setting)

What Happens (events)

Title =