The prompt on this 4-page 5th grade writing sheet asks whether 5th graders should be given homework on the weekends, and the audience is the school principal. Students read about their task, purpose, and audience, then list reasons for and against. They finish by planning each layer of a hamburger paragraph, from topic sentence to conclusion. The sheet supports W.5.4 and W.5.5, and the answer page gives a sample plan against weekend homework.
W.5.4
“Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)”
Section 1 names the task, purpose, and audience before students write, and the tip ties word choice to the principal as reader.
W.5.5
“With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 5 on page 29.)”
The brainstorm table and the five-part hamburger plan, which students later turn into a final draft.
A box sets out the task, purpose, and audience. The Top Tip reminds students to use respectful and convincing language because the principal is the reader.
A two-column table has space for reasons for and against weekend homework. Students list three of each, then decide which side is stronger.
A hamburger diagram sits beside five labeled plans: Top Bun for the topic sentence, Lettuce & Tomato and Cheese & Pickles for two reasons, Meat Patty for a third reason or evidence, and Bottom Bun for the conclusion. The model begins "I strongly believe that 5th graders should not have homework on the weekends."
Class vote
Take a quick vote on weekend homework before students brainstorm. Some change sides once they have to list three reasons for the side they did not pick.
Diagram note
Four layers show in the diagram (Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, More Details, Concluding Sentence), but the plan has five parts. Tell students that Cheese & Pickles is simply their second reason.
Real audience
Once the plan is done, have students write the final paragraph as a letter. Sending two or three to your actual principal makes the audience real.
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