English Functional Skills Developing Writing Skills: Paragraphing and Mind Maps

Learning Objectives Use mind maps to plan writing. Locate features of a paragraph Identify how to correctly use paragraphs to structure writing. Lesson topic: The Internet

Mind Maps Planning is an essential part of writing. Writing can be greatly improved by planning before we write. We do not write before we have planned what to write. An effective way of planning is using mind maps to collect ideas.

Mind Maps

Internet Users In 2010: Live internet statistics: Link Our topic is the internet. EMBEDDING MATHS: Ask what a percentage is, discuss percentages of different countries E&D opportunity. Live internet statistics: Link

Is the internet good for us? Activity 1 As a group, create a mind map focusing on the following topic: Is the internet good for us? Watch video Learners watch video then class feedbacks ideas – teacher to record these on Padlet. Groups then mind maps using flipchart paper on ideas on the topic “is the internet good for us?” They MUST mind map the ideas – breaking off and branching out ideas. Record ideas on Padlet

What is a paragraph? A paragraph is a group of sentences that share the same idea Paragraphs give structure to your writing With paragraphs, texts are easier to read New paragraph = new subject or area

Topic sentence The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. It introduces the main idea to the reader The next sentences will be supporting sentences backing up the topic sentence. The final sentence will offer some sort of conclusion.

Activity 2 In pairs rearrange the matching cards to form a logical and clear order. Use the headings provided to help you. Follow up – Story Builder game Embedding ICT in the lesson: interactive quiz/game. Kinesthetic – cut up sections of what is the internet document. Class to read afterwards.

The hamburger paragraph The topic sentence provides us the main idea of a paragraph. Its often (but not always) the first sentence in a paragraph. Supporting sentences provide more detail and general information about the topic sentence. For lower level learners Ending sentence closing the paragraph.

Example: Topic sentence: I am a reliable person. Point 1: Over the course of two years, I have had 98% attendance in college. Point 2: I had the responsibility of locking the classroom after every lesson. Point 3: I had 100% punctuality to all of my lessons. Conclusion: Evidently, I am a reliable person. Example of topic sentence, 3 points and a logical conclusion. Learners can use this as a basis for structuring paragraphs.

Activity 4: Summative Writing Task - Individual Write about how you think the Internet has changed the world Consider: How people engaged with each other before the Internet The benefits of the Internet (Pros) The negatives of the Internet (Cons) The future of the Internet Any other related points or ideas You must paragraph Low level learners will be given a hamburger paragraph writing frame for support.