5 paragraph essay activities mrs. hill 8 th grade language arts clear lake middle school

5 Paragraph Essay 5 Paragraph Essay ActivitiesActivities

Mrs. HillMrs. Hill

88thth Grade Language Arts Grade Language Arts

Clear Lake Middle SchoolClear Lake Middle School

Review: Review: 6+1 Traits of Writing6+1 Traits of Writing

IdeasIdeas Clear, focused, and interestingClear, focused, and interesting Important detailsImportant details Learn something newLearn something new

ActivityActivityEach one of the paragraphs has a problem. Identify the Each one of the paragraphs has a problem. Identify the

problem.problem.

1. Albert Einstein was a very famous 1. Albert Einstein was a very famous science fiction. His feather and mother science fiction. His feather and mother were born in Peruvian. He discovered were born in Peruvian. He discovered the Law of the Relationship. Albert the Law of the Relationship. Albert Einstein had a fat green period named Einstein had a fat green period named Lara.Lara.

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1

1. Albert Einstein was a very famous 1. Albert Einstein was a very famous scientist. His father and mother were scientist. His father and mother were born in Peru. He discovered the Law of born in Peru. He discovered the Law of Relation. Albert Einstein had a fat green Relation. Albert Einstein had a fat green parrot named Lara.parrot named Lara.


2. I woke up in the morning, looked in the mirror, 2. I woke up in the morning, looked in the mirror, and I wasn’t there I was invisible and I couldn’t and I wasn’t there I was invisible and I couldn’t see myself so I went downstairs to eat see myself so I went downstairs to eat breakfast but my mother couldn’t see me so breakfast but my mother couldn’t see me so she screamed and I thought what can I do now she screamed and I thought what can I do now and so I went to the living room and decided to and so I went to the living room and decided to read the newspaper but my younger sister read the newspaper but my younger sister thought I was a ghost she screamed and ran thought I was a ghost she screamed and ran out of the room and I went to school and no out of the room and I went to school and no one could see me so I decided to play tricks on one could see me so I decided to play tricks on my friends and it was a fun time.my friends and it was a fun time.


4. My paragraph is on cats. Some people 4. My paragraph is on cats. Some people like cats. Other people, however, think like cats. Other people, however, think that they are boring animals. I agree. that they are boring animals. I agree. There is nothing interesting about them. There is nothing interesting about them. But they have four legs and fur. In But they have four legs and fur. In ancient times, Egyptians loved their cats. ancient times, Egyptians loved their cats. Today, cats hang around the house and Today, cats hang around the house and do nothing. So now I am finished with do nothing. So now I am finished with my paragraph.my paragraph.

Composition: Composition: Supporting DetailsSupporting Details

Directions:Directions:

Read the topic sentence and the list of Read the topic sentence and the list of details following each topic sentence. On details following each topic sentence. On your piece of paper, identify the details your piece of paper, identify the details that are pertinent to the topic. that are pertinent to the topic.

Composition: Composition: Supporting DetailsSupporting Details

1.1. Charles Lindbergh was called the Lone Eagle, Charles Lindbergh was called the Lone Eagle, because he flew a single-engine airplane to France.because he flew a single-engine airplane to France.

(a) The aircraft was "The Spirit of St. Louis".(a) The aircraft was "The Spirit of St. Louis".

(b) His mother was a devout Christian.(b) His mother was a devout Christian.

(c) Most bald eagles are also lonely eagles.(c) Most bald eagles are also lonely eagles.

(d) He landed in Paris, France, in 1927. (d) He landed in Paris, France, in 1927.

Composition:Composition:Supporting DetailsSupporting Details

2.2. The orange pumpkin was in front of the house on The orange pumpkin was in front of the house on Halloween night. Halloween night.

(a) Dew was forming on the blades of grass.(a) Dew was forming on the blades of grass.

(b) A lighted candle was inside the pumpkin.(b) A lighted candle was inside the pumpkin.

(c) The pumpkin wore a black hat.(c) The pumpkin wore a black hat.

(d) The boys played football until 10:00 at night. (d) The boys played football until 10:00 at night.


3. The devastating flood left debris littered in its wake. 3. The devastating flood left debris littered in its wake.

(a) The roaring waters boiled over the sandbags.(a) The roaring waters boiled over the sandbags.

(b) The postman waited for the next mail delivery.(b) The postman waited for the next mail delivery.

(c) The Red Cross assisted homeless families.(c) The Red Cross assisted homeless families.

(d) Several blood donors had waited in lines all (d) Several blood donors had waited in lines all morning. morning.


4. 4. The judge questioned the prisoner about the The judge questioned the prisoner about the contraband in his possession. contraband in his possession.

(a) The police searched the prisoner.(a) The police searched the prisoner.

(b) Other prisoners were in the same courtroom.(b) Other prisoners were in the same courtroom.

(c) The prisoner insisted he was innocent.(c) The prisoner insisted he was innocent.

(d) The judge had lunch with the officer.(d) The judge had lunch with the officer.


5. This man was somewhat short in stature, with a 5. This man was somewhat short in stature, with a tremendous chest and long wiry arms. tremendous chest and long wiry arms.

(a) Most of the men were interested in bowling.(a) Most of the men were interested in bowling.

(b) His legs were bulging muscles of strength.(b) His legs were bulging muscles of strength.

(c) He reminded one of a tough competitor.(c) He reminded one of a tough competitor.

(d) The boys scheduled their next football game. (d) The boys scheduled their next football game.


6. Lake Arrowhead was named by a tribe of Indians who 6. Lake Arrowhead was named by a tribe of Indians who once shaped arrowheads along its banks. once shaped arrowheads along its banks.

(a) This was a war-like tribe of Indians.(a) This was a war-like tribe of Indians.

(b) Some tribes have ancestors in Asia.(b) Some tribes have ancestors in Asia.

(c) All Indians believed medicine men could heal. (c) All Indians believed medicine men could heal.

(d) Old arrowheads can be found near the lake today. (d) Old arrowheads can be found near the lake today.


7. Spiders travel in many different ways. Some of them 7. Spiders travel in many different ways. Some of them can run very rapidly on foot. Some are expert can run very rapidly on foot. Some are expert swimmers and divers. Others can walk on the water. swimmers and divers. Others can walk on the water. Other spiders can even travel great distances through Other spiders can even travel great distances through the air in parachutes which they make out of their the air in parachutes which they make out of their webs. Spiders bite many times. webs. Spiders bite many times.

(a) Spiders bite many times.(a) Spiders bite many times.

(b) Some spiders travel through the air.(b) Some spiders travel through the air.

(c) Spiders travel in many different ways. (c) Spiders travel in many different ways.


8. One kind of fish has no eyes. These fish are small, only 8. One kind of fish has no eyes. These fish are small, only about four inches long. These fish are good to eat. about four inches long. These fish are good to eat. They have no skulls and no bones. In place of bones They have no skulls and no bones. In place of bones they have segments of cartilage. They seem to know they have segments of cartilage. They seem to know when anyone is coming close to them, for they swim when anyone is coming close to them, for they swim away rapidly when a person gets near. away rapidly when a person gets near.

(a) These fish are good to eat.(a) These fish are good to eat.

(b) One kind of fish has no eyes.(b) One kind of fish has no eyes.

(c) They seem to know when anything is coming close. (c) They seem to know when anything is coming close.


9. The early people of Peru founded a powerful nation. 9. The early people of Peru founded a powerful nation. They accomplished this because they did things much They accomplished this because they did things much better than other people of their time. The people of better than other people of their time. The people of Peru are friendly. They dug ditches which carried water Peru are friendly. They dug ditches which carried water to the desert. Here planting was carried on. No other to the desert. Here planting was carried on. No other people have ever made more beautiful pottery or people have ever made more beautiful pottery or textiles. textiles.

(a) They did things much better than other people.(a) They did things much better than other people.

(b) The people of Peru are friendly.(b) The people of Peru are friendly.

(c) The early people of Peru founded a powerful nation. (c) The early people of Peru founded a powerful nation.


10. The simple plants of the first group have neither roots, 10. The simple plants of the first group have neither roots, stems, nor leaves. Most of them are very small and stems, nor leaves. Most of them are very small and have a very simple body. The group is subdivided into have a very simple body. The group is subdivided into two classes: algae and fungi. Flowers are from seed two classes: algae and fungi. Flowers are from seed plants. plants.

(a) The group is subdivided into two classes: algae and (a) The group is subdivided into two classes: algae and fungi.fungi.

(b) Simple plants of the first group have neither roots, (b) Simple plants of the first group have neither roots, stems, nor leaves.stems, nor leaves.

(c) Flowers are from seed plants. (c) Flowers are from seed plants.

Composition:Composition:Details which do NOT supportDetails which do NOT support


Read the following paragraphs and the Read the following paragraphs and the list of ideas which follow. On your answer list of ideas which follow. On your answer sheet, mark the letters which represent sheet, mark the letters which represent an idea that does not support the main an idea that does not support the main idea. idea.


1.1. The woods are colorful in springtime. The leaves unfurl The woods are colorful in springtime. The leaves unfurl many shades of rich green. Flowering trees add many shades of rich green. Flowering trees add splashes of pink and white. Early wild flowers--gold, splashes of pink and white. Early wild flowers--gold, red, and violet--peek through the darker browns, red, and violet--peek through the darker browns, blacks, and greens of the forest floor. Here and there a blacks, and greens of the forest floor. Here and there a jay or a cardinal flits in a blur of blue or red against the jay or a cardinal flits in a blur of blue or red against the jade backdrop of trees. jade backdrop of trees.

(a) Summer and fall are also gorgeous seasons. (a) Summer and fall are also gorgeous seasons. (b) Birds add to the beauty and color of the woods. (b) Birds add to the beauty and color of the woods. (c) The variety of color adds to springtime beauty. (c) The variety of color adds to springtime beauty. (d) Jays and cardinals fly south in the fall. (d) Jays and cardinals fly south in the fall.


2.2. A cornfield in July is a sultry place. The soil is hot and dry; the wind A cornfield in July is a sultry place. The soil is hot and dry; the wind comes across the lazily murmuring leaves laden with a warm comes across the lazily murmuring leaves laden with a warm sickening smell drawn from the rapidly growing, broad-flung sickening smell drawn from the rapidly growing, broad-flung banners of the corn. The sun, nearly vertical, drops a flood of banners of the corn. The sun, nearly vertical, drops a flood of dazzling light upon the field over which the cool shadows run, only dazzling light upon the field over which the cool shadows run, only to make the heat seem more intense. to make the heat seem more intense.

(a) The dry corn leaves make rustling sounds in the wind. (a) The dry corn leaves make rustling sounds in the wind.

(b) In July, the sun shines bright and hot. (b) In July, the sun shines bright and hot.

(c) August and June are much worse than July. (c) August and June are much worse than July.

(d) The July rainfall cools things off. (d) The July rainfall cools things off.


3.3. A crow, so thirsty that he could not even caw, came upon a pitcher A crow, so thirsty that he could not even caw, came upon a pitcher which once had been full of water. But when he put his beak into which once had been full of water. But when he put his beak into the pitcher's mouth, he found that only a little water was left in it. the pitcher's mouth, he found that only a little water was left in it. He tried to break the pitcher, then to overturn it, but his strength He tried to break the pitcher, then to overturn it, but his strength was not equal to the task. was not equal to the task.

(a) Other birds had no trouble getting water. (a) Other birds had no trouble getting water.

(b) The hot sun overhead didn't help matters any.(b) The hot sun overhead didn't help matters any.

(c) The crow was weak because he was thirsty. (c) The crow was weak because he was thirsty.

(d) The water level in the pitcher was very low. (d) The water level in the pitcher was very low.


4.4. Every desert animal can live somehow for months without liquid Every desert animal can live somehow for months without liquid water. A few, including snails and frogs, remain underground water. A few, including snails and frogs, remain underground between rainfalls. Most get water from plants. Others manufacture between rainfalls. Most get water from plants. Others manufacture water to survive on smaller animals. water to survive on smaller animals.

(a) All animals can live for months without water. (a) All animals can live for months without water.

(b) Nature enables some animals to manufacture water. (b) Nature enables some animals to manufacture water.

(c) Snails and frogs are desert animals. (c) Snails and frogs are desert animals.

(d) Jungle animals need lots of water to survive. (d) Jungle animals need lots of water to survive.


5.5. Once a playful mouse ran across the paw and up the nose of a Once a playful mouse ran across the paw and up the nose of a sleeping lion. The lion awoke, caught the mouse, and was about sleeping lion. The lion awoke, caught the mouse, and was about to kill him when the mouse begged forgiveness, saying he might to kill him when the mouse begged forgiveness, saying he might one day return the kindness. Amused, the lion forgave him. Soon one day return the kindness. Amused, the lion forgave him. Soon afterward the lion was caught in a net by hunters. The mouse afterward the lion was caught in a net by hunters. The mouse heard the lion roar, recognized his friend's voice, and came to heard the lion roar, recognized his friend's voice, and came to help. His sharp teeth cut the ropes, setting the lion free. help. His sharp teeth cut the ropes, setting the lion free.

(a) Lions and mice usually make good companions. (a) Lions and mice usually make good companions.

(b) Mice frequently play with lions. (b) Mice frequently play with lions.

(c) The mouse returned the lion's kindness. (c) The mouse returned the lion's kindness.

(d) The lion thought he might never need the mouse. (d) The lion thought he might never need the mouse.


6.6. German women take cooking as seriously as shopping. In some German women take cooking as seriously as shopping. In some villages, they will bake sour-dough bread in community ovens. villages, they will bake sour-dough bread in community ovens. Baking is a German art, evidenced by such delicacies as Baking is a German art, evidenced by such delicacies as gingerbread, spices, butter and almond biscuits, and potato gingerbread, spices, butter and almond biscuits, and potato pancakes served with applesauce and blueberries. German pancakes served with applesauce and blueberries. German housewives take pride in making their own cakes and cookies from housewives take pride in making their own cakes and cookies from "secret" family recipes. "secret" family recipes.

(a) German women enjoy cooking from their own recipes. (a) German women enjoy cooking from their own recipes.

(b) Housewives in Germany view baking as an art. (b) Housewives in Germany view baking as an art.

(c) Most European housewives follow examples of German women. (c) Most European housewives follow examples of German women.

(d) Sour-dough bread was introduced by the French. (d) Sour-dough bread was introduced by the French.


7. I had a sleepless night(1). The neighbor's dog began to 7. I had a sleepless night(1). The neighbor's dog began to bark(2). The neighbors keep their dog in a doghouse bark(2). The neighbors keep their dog in a doghouse outside(3). There was a severe thunderstorm(4). A loose outside(3). There was a severe thunderstorm(4). A loose window pane was crackling in the distance (5). The whole window pane was crackling in the distance (5). The whole evening was climaxed by the sound of screaming sirens in evening was climaxed by the sound of screaming sirens in response to a fire two blocks away(6). response to a fire two blocks away(6).

a) 1 a) 1 b) 2 b) 2

c) 3 c) 3 d) 4 d) 4

e) 5 e) 5 f) 6 f) 6


8. Everyone loves to hear a story(1). Just as soon as a 8. Everyone loves to hear a story(1). Just as soon as a speaker begins to tell a story, lagging interest perks speaker begins to tell a story, lagging interest perks up(2). A well-told story always fires the imagination(3). up(2). A well-told story always fires the imagination(3). The listeners begin to anticipate the end, and they The listeners begin to anticipate the end, and they listen patiently to learn whether they guessed the listen patiently to learn whether they guessed the outcome correctly(4). My sister likes to read mystery outcome correctly(4). My sister likes to read mystery books(5). books(5).

a) 1 a) 1 b) 2b) 2

c) 3 c) 3 d) 4 d) 4

e) 5 e) 5


9. When you fill out an application blank for a job, 9. When you fill out an application blank for a job, one thing to be careful about is your one thing to be careful about is your spelling(1). Your prospective employer may spelling(1). Your prospective employer may think that a careless speller will be careless at think that a careless speller will be careless at work(2). Be sure to dress neatly for your work(2). Be sure to dress neatly for your interview(3). interview(3).

a) 1 a) 1 b) 2 b) 2

c) 3 c) 3


10. When you write a letter in reply to an advertisement 10. When you write a letter in reply to an advertisement for a job, keep these rules in mind(1): (A) use white for a job, keep these rules in mind(1): (A) use white paper of standard size, usually 8 1/2 by 11 inches; (B) paper of standard size, usually 8 1/2 by 11 inches; (B) type the letter or write it with black or blue ink; (C) type the letter or write it with black or blue ink; (C) center the letter on the page, and have uniform center the letter on the page, and have uniform margins on both sides and at the top and bottom(2). Do margins on both sides and at the top and bottom(2). Do not crowd a short letter at the top of the sheet(3). The not crowd a short letter at the top of the sheet(3). The Help-Wanted section of your newspaper has many job Help-Wanted section of your newspaper has many job advertisements(4). advertisements(4).

a) 1 a) 1 b) 2 b) 2

c) 3 c) 3 d) 4 d) 4


11. All the guests had worn Western costumes(1). 11. All the guests had worn Western costumes(1). However, Fred thought that Jeff's was the best(2). The However, Fred thought that Jeff's was the best(2). The birthday cake was chocolate with white icing(3). Jeff birthday cake was chocolate with white icing(3). Jeff had come as an Indian(4). He wore moccasins, Indian had come as an Indian(4). He wore moccasins, Indian pants, and a full headdress of feathers(5). He even pants, and a full headdress of feathers(5). He even painted lines on his face to look warlike(6). painted lines on his face to look warlike(6).

a) 1 a) 1 b) 2 b) 2

c) 3 c) 3 d) 4 d) 4

e) 5 e) 5 f) 6 f) 6

Writing Your Own Writing Your Own ParagraphParagraph

Use the following topic sentence to write Use the following topic sentence to write your own paragraph using ONLY your own paragraph using ONLY supportive details.supportive details.

The football team was labeled as The football team was labeled as

the underdog for the big game.the underdog for the big game.

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail


Read each topic sentence. Think of Read each topic sentence. Think of details that would relate directly to this details that would relate directly to this sentence. For each topic sentence, list sentence. For each topic sentence, list threethree details that support the sentence. details that support the sentence.

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences Every successful football player must undergo

strenuous physical exercises. A high school graduate stands a much better chance

of getting a job than a high school drop-out. Plants are very useful to humans; they provide food

and numerous natural resources. Oxygen is a vital content of air and is extremely useful

in industry. All mammals are warm-blooded and exhale through

their lungs. Snakes and crocodiles belong to the reptile family;

they are cold-blooded. The ability to read is a necessary skill in the world of

work.

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 1. Topic Sentence:1. Topic Sentence: Every successful Every successful

football player must undergo strenuous football player must undergo strenuous physical exercises. physical exercises.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 2. Topic Sentence:2. Topic Sentence: A high school A high school

graduate stands a much better chance of graduate stands a much better chance of getting a job than a high school drop-out. getting a job than a high school drop-out.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 3. Topic Sentence:3. Topic Sentence: Plants are very Plants are very

useful to humans; they provide food and useful to humans; they provide food and numerous natural resources. numerous natural resources.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 4. Topic Sentence:4. Topic Sentence: Oxygen is a vital Oxygen is a vital

content of air and is extremely useful in content of air and is extremely useful in industry. industry.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 5. Topic Sentence:5. Topic Sentence: All mammals are All mammals are

warm-blooded and exhale through their warm-blooded and exhale through their lungs. lungs.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 6. Topic Sentence:6. Topic Sentence: Snakes and Snakes and

crocodiles belong to the reptile family; crocodiles belong to the reptile family; they are cold-blooded. they are cold-blooded.

(a)(a)(b)(b)(c)(c)(d) (d)

Composition:Composition:Choose Your Own DetailChoose Your Own Detail 7. Topic Sentence:7. Topic Sentence: The ability to read is The ability to read is

a necessary skill in the world of work. a necessary skill in the world of work. (a)(a)

(b)(b)(c)(c)(d)(d)

The 5-Paragraph EssayThe 5-Paragraph Essay

Formula for an instant essay organization Simplistic and formulistic Always use good content and think about your

readers Useful for timed essay exams

Sample topic: What is the purpose of a college education?

The 5-Paragraph EssayThe 5-Paragraph EssayIntroductionIntroduction

Lead or Hook.

Thesis statement.

Point 1.

Point 2.

Point 3.

When most students graduate from high school, they are tired of school. They do not want to go to school for four more years. However, without a college degree, it is hard to get a good job. In my opinion, the purpose of college is to prepare you for a good career. Cal Poly Pomona prepares you because it has many popular degree programs. It also has many good teachers and a “learn by doing” philosophy.

The 5-Paragraph EssayThe 5-Paragraph EssayBody 1Body 1

Topic Sentence about point 1.

Supporting details: facts, reasons, examples, arguments.

Concluding/Transition Sentence

The degree programs at Cal Poly lead directly into good jobs in industry. For example, the Hotel and Restaurant Management program prepares students for a career in the hospitality industry. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program is also popular in our high tech society. (Add more)


Topic sentence about point 2.



Another benefit at Cal Poly is the high quality faculty. For example, my Engineering professor worked for many years in industry, and really knows what companies are looking for. (Add more)


Topic sentence about point 3.



In addition, Cal Poly has a hands on, “learn by doing” teaching philosophy. This means that students work on real projects with real materials, plants, and animals. For example . . . (Add more)

The 5-Paragraph EssayThe 5-Paragraph EssayConclusionConclusion

Brief summary of information.

Restatement of thesis.

Concluding Sentence Refer back to lead/hook Leave the reader with

something to think about

Choosing the right college or university can make a big difference in preparing you for a career. Cal Poly Pomona is the right university for me because of its attractive degree programs, good teachers, and hands on teaching methods. It might be the right choice for you, too.

5 paragraph essay activities mrs. hill 8 th grade language arts clear lake middle school

Documents

new slide

list of details

details directions

c spiders

early people of peru

albert einstein

kind of fish

d old arrowheads