Writing a Paragraph
Background Information & Activities

Remind students that the main idea of an informational paragraph is the topic, or subject of the piece. The thesis statement, or topic sentence, sets up and states the main idea of the paragraph and tells the reader what to expect from the paragraph. Supporting details back up the main idea. Specific examples help make the main idea clear to the reader. Remind students that they should give at least three supporting detail sentences. Students can come up with supporting details by posing their main idea as a question: “How do you know _______?” The closing sentence is the conclusion, or ending of the paragraph. The closing sentence should tie all the ideas in the paragraph together. Strong closing sentences echo the main idea but also expand the writer’s thesis. Encourage your students to incorporate personal opinions, predictions, or inferences in their closing sentences.

The final step to writing a paragraph is to proofread. Remind your students that their writing should be legible if they are handwritten and free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You may want to review common grammatical mistakes and discuss different punctuation marks. Make sure dictionaries are available to children so they can check their spelling.

Writing can be an overwhelming experience for some students, so it is important that you encourage and empower your children by giving them the tools and information they need to build their writing skills and their confidence. You may want to review different prewriting skills with students, such as brainstorming techniques, journaling, and graphic organizers.

The easiest way to get children excited and familiar with writing is to practice writing. Have your children write a few sentences each day or keep a diary or journal. Incorporating writing into daily activities will help them become better, more confident writers.

Writing a Paragraph Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Writing a Paragraph Family Activities – Click Here!

Writing a Paragraph Teacher Activities

Hook-On Sentences

Split the class into groups of four. Together as a class, choose a topic to write about. You may want to pick a subject students are familiar with from the science or social studies curriculum, such as oceans, migration, brushing teeth, Abraham Lincoln, etc. Come up with the main idea and the first sentence. Then have the first student in each group add a supporting detail. The student can pass the paragraph to the next student who will add another supporting detail, and so on. The fourth student can write the closing sentence.

Paragraph Dissection

Have small groups or pairs choose a paragraph from an informational nonfiction book. Have them point out the topic sentence and identify the main idea. Then have students find the supporting details and explain how they back up the thesis of the paragraph. Finally, have students point out the closing sentence. If possible, have students underline or circle all the different parts.

Daily Writing

Take time each day for students to write. You can provide writing prompts for them or have them make up their own. Students can submit writing prompts to you and you can post one on the board each day for students to follow. Invite students to share their writing with the class and offer words of encouragement. At the end of the year students can bind their writing into a book. This will provide them an opportunity to see how their writing has improved from the beginning of the year.

Writing a Paragraph Family Activities

Homecyclopedia

Have your child write encyclopedia entries for things around the home. For example, your child can write a paragraph about their favorite toy, the history of a family antique, a new piece of furniture or clothing. Your child should write a paragraph with a clear main idea, supporting details, and closing sentence. Your child can also decorate his or her work.

Home Newsletter

Have your child write newsletter articles about important family events or write updates and profiles on different family members. For example, your child can write a paragraph about the birth of a sibling or cousin, or write about an aunt’s famous recipe or dish. Remind your child to have a clear main idea, plenty of supporting details, and a closing sentence. Your child can distribute the newsletter to family members.