A model paragraph about later school start times shows 5th graders how Point, Evidence, Explain, and Link fit together, using the fact that children need nine to ten hours of sleep. Students then write their own paragraph on school uniforms with sentence starters. A second paragraph, on longer recess for fifth graders, has no starters. The 3-page sheet addresses W.5.1.a and W.5.1.b. The answer key gives an example paragraph against uniforms and one for longer recess.
W.5.1.a
“Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.”
The uniform starter makes students state an opinion first, and the four labeled parts give each paragraph its structure.
W.5.1.b
“Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.”
The Evidence and Explain lines in Questions 1 and 2, where each reason needs a fact or detail behind it.
The boxed example labels each part. Its evidence says early bus rides leave many students with less than eight hours of sleep, and its link calls a later bell a smart way to improve health and focus.
Question 1 asks whether students should wear uniforms. Four starters guide the paragraph, from "The most important reason why schools _____ have uniforms is..." to "Because of this, it is clear that..."
Question 2 asks whether recess should be longer for fifth graders. Students write a full paragraph with all four parts and no starters. A basketball on a blacktop sits beside the box.
Highlighter mini-lesson
Color-code the four parts of the sleep paragraph with highlighters. Students then color their uniform paragraph the same way to check that no part is missing.
Pick a side
The first starter has a blank before "have uniforms." Some students skip it and never commit, so check that word first.
Independent writing
Without starters, Question 2 takes about 15 minutes. Students who stall can borrow the uniform starters for the recess topic.
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