Constructed Response Writing a Paragraph

Learning Targets I can group related information in paragraphs which includes formatting to aid comprehension in my writing. I can explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a text, based on specific information in the text.

K-PREP Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress Multiple Choice Constructed Response short response (2 points) extended response (4 points)

Constructed Response Answers a question about content A “perfect paragraph”

Hamburger Paragraph How to Write a

Top Bun Topic Sentence The topic sentence introduces the reader to the topic of your paragraph. Try to make it exciting! A topic sentence expresses the main idea of the sentence. A topic sentence must be about something you can prove, explain, or show through description.

Add Delicious Details Be sure to… (Elaboration) A good paragraph includes details that DESCRIBE or TELL ABOUT the topic sentence. The details must stick to the topic! Details should be “delicious” or interesting. When you write a hamburger paragraph, compare your details to all of the yummy parts of a hamburger such as: *Lettuce *Ketchup and Mustard *Pickles *Cheese

The First Detail (Lettuce) There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach. Should not be the most important detail. Needs to follow directly after the topic sentence. Needs to be full of good “lettucy” details!

The Second Detail (Tomato) There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach. Still should not be the most important detail. Needs to follow directly after the lettuce sentence. Needs to be full of good “juicy” details!

The Third Detail (Cheese) There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach. Still not be the most important detail. Needs to start differently than other sentences. Needs to be full of good “cheesy” details!

The Last Detail (Meat) The most important detail. There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach. The most important detail. Should start differently than most of the other sentences. Needs to be full of good “meaty” details!

Let’s Practice!

The Trouble With Too Much Detail How would a hamburger taste if it had ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, barbecue sauce, Swiss cheese, spicy cheese, and olives on top? Too much, right? A writer can add too much detail to a paragraph as well. If your paragraph seems to be forever long, you will eventually lose the interest of your reader.

An Example of Too Much Detail Simon is my unique kitten whose favorite thing to do is bug me! I bought him at a pet store over the summer. He is really cute and fun to play with. Simon is gray and white. His nose is black instead of pink! All day long, he follows me around and chases after my feet. Sometimes I wish that Simon would just take a nap. He likes to spend time on the back of the couch licking my hair. I feed Simon Friskies Kitten Chow. He really likes it. Simon likes to sit by my feet and rub against them when I am trying to watch TV or do my homework! He is so silly. I sure do love Simon, even if he likes to bug me!

An Example of Too Much Detail Simon is my unique kitten whose favorite thing to do is bug me! I bought him at a pet store over the summer. He is really cute and fun to play with. Simon is gray and white. His nose is black instead of pink! All day long, he follows me around and chases after my feet. Sometimes I wish that Simon would just take a nap. He likes to spend time on the back of the couch licking my hair. I feed Simon Friskies Kitten Chow. He really likes it. Simon likes to sit by my feet and rub against them when I am trying to watch TV or do my homework! He is so silly. I sure do love Simon, even if he likes to bug me!

An Example of Just Right Detail Remember: A good fourth grade paragraph should be 5 - 6 sentences long. My favorite school lunch is chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes. I enjoy this lunch so much because it tastes like my mom’s home cooking! I also love being able to smell the yummy nuggets hours before it’s even lunch time. I can just feel the creamy mashed potatoes and gravy as they slide down my throat. I can’t WAIT until the next chicken nugget day!

The topic sentence should introduce the reader to your topic. Let's Review So far we have learned that a hamburger paragraph needs a top bun or TOPIC sentence. The topic sentence should introduce the reader to your topic. We also learned that good paragraphs contain supporting details that tell more about the topic sentence. These main points and details can be compared to the ingredients of a hamburger, such as the hamburger patty, cheese, ketchup, or pickles. But what’s missing? Hmmmmmmm.

Bottom Bun Concluding Sentence The bottom bun of a hamburger helps hold all of the ingredients together. It works with the top bun to keep the patty, cheese and ketchup from falling on the floor! Clinchers summarize the main idea of the paragraph and lets the reader know the paragraph is finished. The clincher can be a restatement of the topic sentence, a question, an amusing thought, or a clever insight.

There are many reasons that I love to teach There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

Now you know exactly what it takes to cook up a delicious hamburger paragraph!