1. Strategy # 5 Monday

2. It is important to have a well thought out opening paragraph. Two important goals of a well thought out opening are; * to hook the reader * to orient the reader to the top of the writing Monday

3. There are five categories of story leads to consider. You can focus on the setting, an action, a character’s thoughts, dialogue, or sound effects. Monday

4. On Friday Miss Nelson told her class that she was going to have her tonsils out. “I’ll be away next week,” she said. “And I expect you to behave.” “Yes, Miss Nelson,” said the kids in 207 Miss Nelson is Back by James Marshall

5. Possum awoke one autumn evening. Shining through the grass was the biggest, brightest, yellowest moon. “Oh!” thought Possum, “the harvest moon! What a perfect night for a party.” Possum’s Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter

6. On sultry summer days at my grandma’s farm in Michigan, the air gets damp and heavy. Storm clouds drift low over the fields. Birds fly close to the ground. Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco

7. Every day, Olive took her daily dog walk, winter, spring, summer or fall. Today was a winter’s day. It was the holidays. There was music playing out doors. People were singing along. “All of the other reindeer…” Olive was too shy to sing. “Hmmm-hmm-hm-hm-hmmm-hmmm-hmmm,” she hummed. Olive the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

8. Wednesday

9. Today we are going to write an opening paragraph for our essay on President Obama’s Inauguration focusing on the setting of the inauguration. Remember your goals; hook the reader and Introduce (orient) the reader to the topic. Thursday

10. Example; One bright sunny day in 2009, history was made. President Obama… Thursday

11. Today we will write a new opening paragraph for our essay on the inauguration. This time our story lead will focus on President Obama’s actions during his Presidential Address. Don’t forget your purpose. Thursday

12. Example; Standing tall and stiff with a smile from ear to ear, President Obama… Thursday

13. Today you will write a third opening paragraph for you inauguration essay. You can choose to use one of the following story leads; character thoughts, dialog, or sound effects. What is the purpose of a well thought out opening paragraph? Thursday

14. Example; Dialog- “Fellow Americans”, began President Obama Thursday