Overview
Students will work in collaborative groups to analyze and interpret research information from their previous reading assignment on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. Next, students will use a graphic organizer to collect information needed to develop and write a five paragraph expository essay on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. Finally, students will present their expository essay to the class.
This unit was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.
Content Standards
Learning Objectives
Primary Learning Objectives
- Students will analyze and interpret research information from their previous reading assignment on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians.
- Students will use a graphic organizer to collect information needed to complete a five paragraph expository essay on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians.
- Students will use the information gathered from their graphic organizer to develop a five paragraph expository essay on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians to present to the class.
Additional Learning Objective(s)
Writing Targets - W.4.23
- I can introduce a topic clearly and group related information together in paragraphs including headings, illustrations, and multimedia when useful in aiding comprehension.
- I can develop a topic with facts, definitions, specific details, quotations, and/or other information and examples related to the topic.
- I can link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases.
- I can use precise language and specific vocabulary words to inform about or explain the topic.
- I can provide a concluding statement related to the information or explanation presented.
Procedures/Activities
Procedures/Activities
Before the Lesson - 60 minutes
- Students will watch a video to review the steps for writing a five-paragraph essay. Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Five-Paragraph Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uSJEiNZ1rE
- Students will fill in the Five Paragraph Expository Essay Graphic Organizer based on the research information from the previous Alabama History lesson on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians.
- Each student should conference with the teacher when they finish their graphic organizer. The teacher will check to make sure the student is on the right track with their thinking. The teacher will give suggestions for improvement. Each student will need to keep their graphic organizer until the end of the lesson.
During the Lesson - 60 minutes
- Students will use the information from their graphic organizer to write the rough draft of their expository essay. They must include the following in their rough draft:
- Topic and thesis statement in the introduction paragraph
- A paragraph for each of the supporting details
- A conclusion paragraph that includes the thesis statement
After the Lesson - 60 minutes:
- Students will rewrite their essays, including any necessary corrections or additions, based on their peer edits, teacher conference, and expository essay rubric.
- Once all students have completed their essays, the teacher will arrange for each student to have the opportunity to share their expository essays with the class.
Before the Lesson - 60 minutes
- Students will watch a video to review the steps for writing a five-paragraph essay. Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Five-Paragraph Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uSJEiNZ1rE
- Students will fill in the Five Paragraph Expository Essay Graphic Organizer based on the research information from the previous Alabama History lesson on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians.
- Each student should conference with the teacher when they finish their graphic organizer. The teacher will check to make sure the student is on the right track with their thinking. The teacher will give suggestions for improvement. Each student will need to keep their graphic organizer until the end of the lesson.
During the Lesson - 60 minutes
- Students will use the information from their graphic organizer to write the rough draft of their expository essay. They must include the following in their rough draft:
- Topic and thesis statement in the introduction paragraph
- A paragraph for each of the supporting details
- A conclusion paragraph that includes the thesis statement
After the Lesson - 60 minutes:
- Students will rewrite their essays, including any necessary corrections or additions, based on their peer edits, teacher conference, and expository essay rubric.
- Once all students have completed their essays, the teacher will arrange for each student to have the opportunity to share their expository essays with the class.
Learning Activity (Before)
Learning Activity (During)
Learning Activity (After)
Assessment Strategies
Assessment Strategies
Formative Assessment: The teacher will observe students during the writing process of the five paragraph expository essay.
Summative Assessment: The final copy of the five paragraph essay will be graded using the attached Rubric for the Five Paragraph Essay.
Acceleration and Intervention
Acceleration
Students will create a poem or song about the Great Depression using their research and essays to guide them.
Examples:
Song Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQBgFttbtKM
Poem Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJLGiKby42U
Intervention
Students that are struggling with the process of writing the five paragraph expository essay, may review the process by viewing the following video clip: How to Plan & Write an Expository Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR4LunWz-jU
Students that continue to struggle after watching the how-to video can conference with the teacher after they complete each paragraph.
Approximate Duration
Total Duration
Background and Preparation
Background/Preparation
Students' Background Information:
Prior to the lesson, the teacher should be sure that students understand the parts of a five paragraph expository essay and the process of gathering the required information.
The students will view a short video clip about how to write a five paragraph expository essay, including the introduction paragraph with a topic/thesis statement, three supporting paragraphs, and the concluding/closing paragraph.
Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Five-Paragraph Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uSJEiNZ1rE
This writing lesson will incorporate the research from a prior Alabama History lesson on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. They will use the information found in their research to prepare and write a five paragraph expository essay.
Teacher Background Information:
The Great Depression had a significant impact on the lives of Alabamians. The events leading up to the Great Depression included the "Roaring 20s", the overproduction of supplies, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929. These events, which also included mass unemployment and poverty, had a major impact on the social, political, and economic lives of Alabamians.
Materials and Resources
Materials and Resources
- notebook paper
- pencil or pen
- Five Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer (see Attachments section)
- 5-Paragraph Expository Essay Rubric (see Attachments section)
- previous reading research from The Great Depression presentation
Websites:
Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Five-Paragraph Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uSJEiNZ1rE
How to Plan & Write an Expository Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR4LunWz-jU
Technology Resources Needed
Teacher/Student Technology Resources
Internet-capable technology devices (iPads, computers, Chromebooks, etc.)
