Writing Informative Texts: How-To Writing
Writing Informative Texts: How-To Writing Objective: Students will learn to write informative texts that clearly introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement, directly addressing Common Core standard 3.W.2.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the purpose of informative writing.
- Identify the parts of an informative text: introduction, facts/details, and conclusion.
- Write a short how-to paragraph using clear facts and a concluding sentence.
Materials Needed
- Paper or notebook
- Pencils and erasers
- Example how-to paragraph
- Chart paper or whiteboard
- Markers
Key Vocabulary
- Informative Text
- A type of writing that gives facts or explains how to do something.
- Topic
- The main subject or idea that the writing is about.
- Details
- Facts or pieces of information that help explain the topic.
- Conclusion
- A sentence or section that sums up the information or wraps up the writing.
Detailed Activities
Introduction to Informative Writing
- Explain to the student that informative writing tells readers about a topic or explains how to do something.
- Show an example how-to paragraph on a familiar topic, such as ‘How to Brush Your Teeth.’
- Discuss the parts of the paragraph: the introduction (what it is about), the facts (steps or details), and the conclusion.
Guided Writing Practice
- Choose a simple topic together, such as ‘How to Make a Sandwich.’
- Help the student brainstorm the steps and important facts about the topic.
- Write the introduction sentence together, stating what the paragraph will explain.
- Write 3-4 sentences with facts or steps about making a sandwich, encouraging clear and simple language.
- Write a concluding sentence that wraps up the paragraph.
Independent Writing
- Ask the student to pick another simple how-to topic they know well.
- Guide them to plan their paragraph by thinking of the introduction, facts, and conclusion.
- Have the student write their own how-to paragraph independently.
- Review the paragraph together and provide positive feedback and gentle corrections if needed.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to talk through their ideas before writing to build confidence.
- It’s okay if spelling or grammar isn’t perfect at this stage; focus on organizing ideas clearly.
- Use everyday activities as writing topics to make the lesson fun and relevant, such as how to tie shoes or how to plant a seed.
Assessment Questions
- Can your child tell you the topic of their informative paragraph?
- Does the paragraph include at least three facts or steps related to the topic?
- Is there a clear concluding sentence that sums up the information?
Extension Ideas
- Create an illustrated how-to book by drawing pictures to go with each step in the paragraph.
- Practice reading the how-to paragraph aloud to build fluency and confidence.
- Write how-to paragraphs on different subjects, such as how to care for a pet or how to plant a flower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help by asking guiding questions about the topic and encouraging simple answers. Use everyday experiences to make it easier.
A short paragraph with 4-6 sentences is appropriate for this age and skill level.
Focus on having conversations about topics first, then help your child write one sentence at a time. Celebrate their efforts and progress.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may confuse informative writing with storytelling, adding opinions or unrelated details.
- Students might write incomplete paragraphs without a clear introduction or conclusion.
- Students may struggle to organize facts logically and need modeling of paragraph structure.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Provide sentence starters for introduction, facts, and conclusion.
- Use graphic organizers to help plan the paragraph visually.
- Allow oral responses or drawing before writing to build ideas.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage adding more details or examples to support facts.
- Introduce using linking words like ‘first,’ ‘next,’ and ‘finally’ for clearer sequencing.
- Have students write multiple paragraphs on related topics or combine how-to with descriptive writing.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend extra time on brainstorming and organizing ideas if needed.
- Keep writing sessions short and focused to maintain attention (15-20 minutes per writing activity).
- Allow breaks between activities to keep the student engaged and prevent frustration.
Standards
- 3.W.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
Printable Worksheet
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