FLEX Introduction to Informative Essay Writing

In this six week FLEX class, students will learn how to write a 5 paragraph informative essay.

Facing a blank screen or sheet of paper can be challenging, and sometimes intimidating. In this class, you will learn how to plan, write, and revise a simple 5 paragraph informative essay describing two topics of your choice. This might include describing a person who is important to you, your favorite sport or hobby, or your favorite place to go on vacation. You will be writing two separate essays during this six week class.
*Please note,* you will be sharing your writing with the class, so please do not include identifying information in your essay, such as your home city, last names, or the name of your school. 

Week 1: Brainstorming and Planning
You will: 
- Brainstorm topics to write about
- Select a topic
- Develop your ideas using a concept map
- Plan your essay by creating an outline
- Post and share your concept map and outline in the classroom
- Review and comment on the ideas of your classmates

Week 2: Writing a Draft
You will:
- Use your outline to write a rough draft of your essay
- Post and share your rough draft of your essay in the classroom 
- Use a checklist to review and provide feedback on your classmates' writing

Week 3: Editing and Revising
You will:
- Use the feedback from the teacher and your peers to revise and edit your essay
- Post and share your second draft of your essay in the classroom
- Explain the changes you made from the first draft to the second draft, and why you made them

Week 4: Brainstorming and Planning
You will:
- Brainstorm topics to write about
- Select a topic
- Develop your ideas using a concept map
- Plan your essay by creating an outline
- Post and share your concept map and outline in the classroom
- Review and comment on the ideas of your classmates

Week 5: Writing a Draft
You will:
- Use your outline to write a rough draft of your essay
- Post and share your rough draft of your essay in the classroom 
- Use a checklist to review and provide feedback on your classmates' writing

Week 6: Editing, Revising, and Reflecting
You will:
- Use the feedback from the teacher and your peers to revise and edit your essay
- Post and share your second draft of your essay in the classroom
- Explain the changes you made from the first draft to the second draft, and why you made them
- Write a reflection that describes one or two of the most important things you learned from this process. How can you use what you learned as you move forward in your writing?

Materials will be posted weekly in the classroom, and will include printables for the week, as well as relevant instructional materials, including videos and presentations.