Teaching the proper structure of a paragraph was so much fun using the hamburger method.
The reason I LOVED using this is because it really stuck with some of my struggling writers. I taught fifth grade, but about 40% of my class read below the fifth grade level. However, I didn't want them to write below the fifth grade level. And don't think the rest of the class didn't love this, because they did! Some students picked up right away how to write a well structured paragraph so they didn't need it for long. The rest, well they still asked to use it for a few weeks.
You can get my complete hamburger paragraph PowerPoint with lessons by clicking
HERE for free! I used this powerpoint over the course of a week. We started the week by discussing what a paragraph is and WHY we write with the paragraph structure. Next, I showed some "good" and "bad" examples of paragraphs. Everyone could clearly see why it was important to write in paragraph form.
Next, we reviewed the parts of a paragraph where they took notes in their writers notebooks.
Note* I personally used composition books so the students could take their own notes about writing. This becomes a fantastic resources for them to use throughout the year.
From there, we practiced everyday for 1-2 weeks. I kept many, many copies of the blank hamburger in the room and students could take them as needed. We started by writing a paragraph together, then they tried with a partner, and finally on their own. After each time we practiced, we shared as a class our writing and analyzed it using a rubric. Let me just say, I. Love. Rubrics. when it comes to writing. It helped my students so much when I taught them how to use the rubric themselves.
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PowerPoint off TeacherPayTeachers! Please leave some feedback if you download the link! Thanks :)
