Writing Informative Texts: How-To Guides
Writing Informative Texts: How-To Guides 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 the 6.W.2 standard.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the structure of informative writing including introduction, facts, and conclusion.
- Use clear and relevant facts and definitions to explain a topic.
- Write a complete informative paragraph with an introduction and closing sentence.
Materials Needed
- Notebook or writing paper
- Pencils and erasers
- Chart paper or whiteboard
- Example of a simple how-to text
- Graphic organizer for planning
Key Vocabulary
- Informative Text
- A type of writing that gives facts and information about a topic.
- Topic Sentence
- The sentence that tells the main idea of a paragraph.
- Concluding Statement
- A sentence that sums up what has been said in the writing.
Detailed Activities
Introduction to Informative Writing
- Explain to the student what informative writing is and why it is important.
- Read together a simple how-to text example aloud and identify the topic sentence, facts, and concluding statement.
- Discuss how facts help explain the topic clearly.
Planning the Writing
- Pick a simple topic the student knows well (e.g., How to brush your teeth).
- Help the student use a graphic organizer to list the key facts and steps about the topic.
- Guide the student to write a topic sentence introducing the subject.
Writing the Informative Text
- Using the planner, write sentences that explain the facts and steps clearly.
- Help the student write a concluding sentence that wraps up the information.
- Review the writing together and make simple edits for clarity and completeness.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to talk through their ideas before writing to organize their thoughts.
- Provide lots of praise and gentle guidance to build confidence in writing.
- Use familiar everyday topics to make the writing task more engaging and less intimidating.
Assessment Questions
- What is the main topic of your paragraph?
- Can you tell me two facts you included to explain your topic?
- What does your concluding sentence say about your topic?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child write another informative text about a different familiar topic.
- Create an illustrated how-to book with your child, adding pictures to match the writing.
- Practice reading the informative text aloud to improve fluency and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explain that informative writing focuses on facts and information, while opinions belong in other types of writing like personal essays.
Focus on asking questions and encouraging clear thinking. Use examples and guide your child gently through the writing steps.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may confuse informative writing with narrative or opinion writing.
- Some may write very short or incomplete paragraphs without enough facts.
- Students might struggle to write a clear concluding statement.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Provide sentence starters for introduction and conclusion.
- Use drawing or verbal explanations before writing.
- Limit the number of facts to include to avoid overwhelm.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge them to include definitions and examples within their facts.
- Encourage writing multiple paragraphs for more detailed explanation.
- Have them research a new topic and write an informative text independently.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 10 minutes introducing the concept and reading examples.
- Use 15 minutes for planning and organizing facts with your child.
- Allow 20 minutes for writing and reviewing the informative paragraph.
Standards
- 6.W.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information clearly.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply