Mary Mallek

Lessontitleortheme:ScienceLetter
Grade: 4th
#ofstudents:27
Timeandexpectedduration:1hour
MaterialsandBook(s)tobeused:
WritingJournal
WordWall
TryitoutBook
Paper
StateStandards(LanguageArtsforWriting)andCommonCoreStandardsforWriting:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information
clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A
Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections;
include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding
comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.B
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other
information and examples related to the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.C
Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for
example, also, because).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.E
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation
presented.
Objectives:
LanguageObjectives.Studentswillbeabletowrite an informative/explanatory letter to examine
electricity and convey the process of lighting a light bulb.
ContentObjectives(usingconcrete,behavioralterms).
ContentConcepts:Studentwillbeabletoconstructanorganizedlettertoanotherstudent
explainingtheprocessoflightingalightbulbwithawire,battery,andlightbulb.

AnticipatorySet(3mins)
QW:Howdoyoulightalightbulbwithawire,battery,andbulb?

Mary Mallek
BodyoftheLesson(10mins)
Prompt:WritealettertotheLasNubesroomexplainingtothemtheprocessoflightingalightbulb
withawire,battery,andbulbusingwhatwehavelearnedaboutelectricity.
Whatkindofthingsneedstobeinourletter?Writeonboard/overheadtheiranswers(lookingfor:
purpose,materialsneeded,steps,andwhyitworkswithvocabulary.)
Howcanweorganizeourideasbeforewriting?Showwebonboard/overhead.
GuidedPractice:(7mins)
Getclassstartedbymodelingawebforthem(ontheboard)thatincludesallthecriteria:purpose,
materialsneeded,steps,andwhyitworkswithvocabulary.
Fillinacouplebubblesuntilclassisreadytobeindependent.
Gooverpeereditingprocedures.
Application:(30mins)
Writeprocessonboardandreviewwithclassforunderstanding
Processfortodayswriting:
1) UsewebtoorganizethoughtsCheckbyteachertocontinue
2) Writefirstdraftofletter
3) Giveittopeereditortorevise
4) CorrecterrorsandcompletefinaldraftCheckbyteachertocontinue
5) Whenbothpartnersaredone,theywillfollowthestepsinpartnersletter
Dismissstudentsinpairstobeginwriting
Closing:(5mins)
Peereditorsshare
QWS:HowisthisletterdifferentfromourCelebrationLetters?
Evaluation:Howwillyouassesswhatstudentshavelearnedfromyourlesson?
Iwillcheckfor(1)purposeisstated(2)allthestepsareincludedandsequential(3)vocabulary
wordsareusedtoexplainthesciencebehindtheprocess(4)writingisclearandorganized(5)no
grammaticalorpunctuationerrors.
Aftereditingpunctuationandgrammar,Iwillhavetheirpeereditorfollowthosestepsthey
explainedintheessaytoseeifitlightsthelightbulb.
Accommodations:Studentswhofinditchallengingwillbescaffoldorhelpedwithbrainstorming
bybeingencouragedtousethescienceresources.

Mary Mallek
Extensions:Studentswhofindassignmentnonchallengingwillbeaskedtowritemoreevidence
andinsertmoresciencevocabularywords.
SecondLanguageStrategy:Useofvisuals,guidancewithlanguage,previewoftopic,language
objectives,previousknowledge,peerdiscussion,etc.Theseshouldhavebeendescribedand
highlightedintheProcedure.Justlabelthemhere.
Modelusingthewebontheboard
Writeinstructionsontheboard
Givestudentsmanipulativestotestorwriteaboutprocess