The Excellent Reader Jr: Paragraph Writing Prompts (Flex Class)

Writing can be hard for many reasons, but one of the most common is not knowing what to write about, in this flex class, students will be prompted to write descriptive, personal narrative, imaginative narrative, persuasive, and expository paragraphs. 

My summer 2023, section running from May 15 - August 11th has one break week built in.   Your student will not receive a prompt the week of July 4th. 
My fall 2023, section running from September 11 - December 16, has a two-week break built in.  Your student will not receive prompts during the last two weeks of November. 

One of the unique features of the class is my weekly video response to your student's written first drafts.  When I receive your student's first draft, I will proofread the draft, marking any errors that need correcting and giving personalized tips on writing.  Then I will create a quick explanation video.  Using this method of video response and written Language Arts example, I'm able to communicate not only encouragement by pointing out the positives in your student's writing, but I'm also able to clearly explain what improvements need to be made to the final draft. 

Paragraph one: 
Descriptive Writing: Write a descriptive letter to a friend telling them about a new hobby.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph One Prompt" post with examples of their favorite hobbies. 
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph two:
Descriptive Writing: Write a descriptive article for a travel magazine.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials. 
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Two Prompt" with a picture of a favorite vacation spot or favorite desired vacation spot. 
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph three:
Descriptive Writing: Write a descriptive design plan for the perfect recess room at school.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials. 
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Three Prompt" post with a list of recess activities that could be done indoors.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph four:
Personal Narrative: Write a personal story about a time that you learned a new skill.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials. 
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Four Prompt" post with a video explanation of what it means to learn a new skill.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.   

Paragraph five:
Personal Narrative: Write a personal story about a time that you earned some extra money.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Five Prompt" post with examples of things they would buy with extra money.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph six:
Imaginative Narrative: Write an imaginative story about a time you "fell into your favorite book."
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials. 
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph six Prompt" and post a video recommendation of their favorite book.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph seven:
Imaginative Narrative:  Write an imaginative story in which you are all grown up. 
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Seven Prompt" post with examples of jobs they would be interested in holding.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.   

Paragraph eight:
Imaginative Narrative: Write an imaginative story about meeting your doppelganger.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Eight Prompt" post with a self-portrait drawing.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph nine:
Persuasive Writing:  Write a letter to convince Nintendo to give you a new Switch.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Nine Prompt" post with video recommendations of their favorite video games. 
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph ten:
Persuasive Writing:  Write a convincing note to your sibling/cousin explaining why they should do your chores.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Ten Prompt" post with examples of family or household chores with which they are expected to assist.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.   

Paragraph eleven
Expository Writing: Write a letter to your friend describing, in detail, what they should bring to your sleepover. 
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
Classroom Conversation Starter: Students will be encouraged to reply to the "Paragraph Eleven Prompt" post with examples of their favorite sleepover game ideas.
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Paragraph twelve: 
Expository Writing: Choose a prompt from the lesson.
On Monday, Mrs. VZ will upload a video lesson of this prompt including an example paragraph and homework materials.  
On Wednesday, students will upload their brainstorming sheet and first draft for evaluation by Mrs. VZ.
On Friday, students will present their paragraphs using one of the following methods: Upload the written final draft paragraph to the private teacher tab, upload the written final draft paragraph to the classroom, upload an audio recording of the final draft paragraph to the classroom, or upload a video recording of the final draft of their paragraph.   Students will then post comments on at least one classmate's paragraph submission.  

Updated (4/7/23)