ENG41: English Writing Workshop Grade 3-4 Part1

Course Description

In this course, students will learn about the purpose of writing and audience, the process of writing (planning, drafting, revising, proofreading, and sharing writing), and using verbs, nouns and active verbs. Students will apply this knowledge to three different types of writing. Students will be guided through a step-by-step process to teach them how to write a story, how to write to inform, and how to write about an opinion. This writing course follows Common Core state standards.

Writing a Story:
Students will write a personal narrative and create a story. First, students will learn how to make their sentences more interesting by using senses, adjectives, and adverbs. Then, students will learn how to effectively use time-order, time, and transition words to create a personal narrative. Next, Students will learn how to create a character, imagine a setting, practice dialogue, and identify different points of view in stories. After that, students will distinguish the difference between a fantasy and realistic story and brainstorm ideas for two kinds of stories. Finally, students will choose to either create a fantasy or realistic story.  

Writing to Inform:
Students will learn multiple ways to write to inform readers. Students will first learn why and how to inform readers. Then, students will focus on two writing projects: writing a friendly letter and writing a biography, using the writing process. Next, students will compare and organize ideas through multiple prompts and activities. Students will also define and identify causes and effects in informational texts. After that, students will practice writing instructions by using direction, position, and time-order words. Then, students will identify the main idea, details, and topic sentence in texts through multiple writing prompts. Finally, students will end the unit by learning how to paraphrase and use all the skills they’ve learned to write a research paper. 

Writing an Opinion:
Students will write an opinion statement and write a letter to the editor about something important to them. First, students will learn about when and why we persuade. Then, students will identify facts, opinions, and bias through reading multiple short passages and activities. Then, students will learn how to write a business letter and use what they’ve learned to support their opinion in their letter to the editor. 

Topic 1 Introduction
  • Why do we write?
  • For whom do we write?
  • What is the writing process?
  • Use vivid verbs and precise nouns
  • Find your active voice
Topic 2 Writing a Story Part 1
  • Use your senses
  • Use your adjectives and Adverbs
  • The writing process: Descriptive Writing
  • What is a personal narrative?
  • Use time order
  • The writing process: Personal narrative
Topic 3 Writing a Story Part 2
  • What makes a story?
  • Practice your dialogue
  • Imagine a setting
  • Create a character
  • What's your point of view?
  • Stories are everywhere
  • The writing process: Story
Topic 4 Writing to Inform Part 1
  • Why and how do we inform?
  • Make an announcement
  • Write a friendly letter
  • The writing process: Biography
  • How do we compare?
  • Compare two and more than two
  • Compare two objects
  • Organize it in space
  • Find causes and effects
  • Relate an event