Step Up to Writing Components

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• Step Up to Writing Components
• Teachers Guide
• Tools (Overheads Reproducibles)
• CD of Tools and Bonus Tools
• Handy Pages
• Posters

Secondary Grades 6-HS
Intermediate Grades 3-6
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Components
PARTNERS

• Teachers Guide
• (spiral)

• Reproducibles (tools)

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Components
Tools and Prompts CD-ROMs

• 2 CDs per levelboth included in one package
• All Tools/reproducibles
• Bonus Tools providing additional examples and
  alternative forms
• Writing Prompts
• Customizable Tools

200 Prompts!!!
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Section by Section

• Introduction
• Section 1 Writing to Improve Reading and
• Listening Comprehension
• Section 2 Vocabulary
• Section 3 Sentence Mastery
• Section 4 Information/Expository Paragraphs
• Section 5 Accordion Essays and Reports
• Section 6 Story and Narrative Writing
• Section 7 Personal Narratives
• Section 8 Speeches
• Section 9 Specific Writing Assignments
• Section 10 Assessment and High Standards

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Teachers Guide
Objectives
Strategy Overview Tables
Strategies organized by concept
Posters
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Handy Pages
Prerequisites
Before Class
Bonus Tools
Teacher Instructions
Examples
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(Section 1) Writing to Improve Reading and
Listening Comprehension
Blue Secondary (7th 8th)
Red Intermediate (6th)
Spiral pp 4 - 64
Spiral pp 5-62
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Writing to Improve Reading and Listening
Comprehension

• Many students have difficulty sustaining focus
  while reading and do not interact with the text
  because they dont know how. Step Up To Writing
  strategies increase students reading and
  listening comprehension by teaching them to
• ask questions
• make comments
• discover connections
• make predictions
• share feelings

all which empowers students to read/write with
confidence.
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Free Response

• When you read or listen to a story, ask yourself
  
• What traits about a character(s) do I like or not
  like?
• What feelings do I have as I read or listen to
  the story?
• What makes this a good story or not a good story?
• What part(s) of the story will I remember or
  discuss with others? Write about? Ask questions
  about?
• Are there other stories that are similar to this
  story?
• What do I already know about this topic?
• What am I learning that is new? How will this
  help me?
• What is interesting about this information?

Spiral pg 6-7 Tool 1-1a 1-2a
Spiral pg 6-7 Tool 1-1a 1-2a
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Quotation Responses
Quotation
Response
Students select quotes, or teacher assigns
Students respond to quote.
On this side, copy the quotation word for word
On this side, write your response. It is not
right or wrong. It tells what you feel, think,
discover, enjoy, share.
Spiral pg 10 Tools 1-7b, 1-7c
Spiral pg 10 Tools 1-7 b, 1-7c
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Using Quick Sketch to Improve Listening
Reading Skills
-
T
-
When reading a story, at key points, direct
students to do a quick sketch of the action or
scene
-
-
-
And write a sentence or two to describe their
drawing.
-
-
-
-
Spiral pg 14
Tool 1-10a
Spiral pg 14
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Quick Sketch Exemplar Are there better places to
call for a quick sketch? Defend your position!

• The Bad Kangaroo
• a fable written by Arnold Lobel
• There once was a kangaroo who was bad in school.
  He put thumbtacks on the teachers chair. He
  threw spitballs across the classroom. He set off
  firecrackers in the lavatory and spread glue on
  the doorknobs.
• Your behavior is impossible! exclaimed the
  school principal. I am going to visit your
  parents. I will tell them what a problem you
  are. quick sketch
• The principal went to visit Mr. and Mrs.
  Kangaroo. He sat down in a living-room chair.
  Ouch! screamed the principal. Theres a
  thumbtack on this chair!
• YesI know, said Mr. Kangaroo. I enjoy
  putting thumbtacks in chairs.
• Then a spitball hit the principal on the nose.
  Forgive me, giggled Mrs. Kangaroo, but I can
  never resist throwing those things.
• There was a loud booming sound coming from the
  bathroom. Keep calm, replied Mr. Kangaroo to
  the principal. The firecrackers that we keep in
  the medicine chest have just exploded. We LOVE
  the noise!
• In an instant the principal rushed to the front
  door, but his hand stuck to the doorknob. Pull
  hard, suggested Mrs. Kangaroo. There are
  little globs of glue on all our doorknobs.
• Finally, the principal pulled himself free. He
  dashed out of the house and ran down the street.
  quick sketch
• Such a nice person, said Mr. Kangaroo. I
  wonder why he left so early?
• No doubt he had another appointment, offered
  Mrs. Kangaroo. Never mind. Suppers ready!
• Mr. and Mrs. Kangaroo and their son enjoyed their
  evening meal. After the dessert, the all threw
  spitballs at each from across the dining-room
  table. quick sketch

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What is a Summary?

• A summary is a short restatement of the main
  points of articles, stories, films, or chapters
  in a textbook.
• The purpose of a summary is to share the key
  ideas with your reader. It does NOT contain
  opinions and rarely contains a conclusion.
• 
  

Spiral pg 43
Spiral pg 40
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Topic Sentences
Step 1 Write a three part IVF topic sentence
using the burrito fold Step 2 Copy the
complete topic sentence
What is IVF??!! Its coming next!
Spiral pp 44-48 Tool 1-31b,c,d
Spiral pp 41-46 Tools 1-20a to 1-30e
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IVF Summary Topic SentenceStep 1
Identify the Item
Verb It!
Finish Thought

• What is the text?
• What type of text is it?
• Who is the author?

• What is the big idea?
• What is the big concept?
• What is the main idea?

• ACTION WORD

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Identify Item
Identify the Item

• What is the text?
• What type of text is it?
• Who is the author?

F
I
V
Cinderella
fairytale
Brothers Grimm
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Verb
compares defines describes
explains gives lists
presents shows tells
I
V
F
describes
Cinderella
fairytale
Brothers Grimm
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Finish Thought
Finish It!

• What is the big idea?
• What is the big concept?
• What is the main idea?

I
V
F
how a young girl
describes
Cinderella
goes from rags to
fairytale
Brothers Grimm
riches
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Write a Real SentenceStep 2
I
V
F
STEP 1
describes
Cinderella
how a young girl
fairytale
goes from rags to
Brothers Grimm
riches
STEP 2
The fairytale, Cinderella, by the Brothers Grimm,
describes how a young girl goes from rags to
riches.
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Vocabulary (Section 2)
Spiral pp 65-90
Spiral pp 69-89
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Breaking Down Definitions

• STEP 1 Using paper folded into thirds, write
  the word in the left column
• STEP 2 Begin breaking down the definition by
  finding the category. Write
  the category next to a dash in the middle
  column
• STEP 3 Add the rest of the information in the
  definition next to the bullets in the middle
  column using words and phrases.
• STEP 4 Add an example or illustration in the
  far right column .

REMEMBER Like most strategies, this one must be
continually modeled.
Spiral pp 73-74 2-2a, 2-3a, 2-3c
Spiral pg 71 Tools 2-2a,2-3a, 2-3c
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squall a sudden violent gust of wind often
accompanied with massive amounts of rain or snow
-
.
wind
squall
.
sudden
violent
Word
Category
Details
Drawing
Spiral pp 7374
Spiral pg 71
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Meaningful Sentences
Pointless Sentence doesnt demonstrate mastery
of word Replace Sentence doesnt demonstrate
mastery of word some words could easily replace
new vocabulary word Dictionary Sentence turns
a definition into a sentence Meaningful
Sentence filled with meaning and demonstrates
word mastery includes words and phrases that
paint a picture for the reader

Spiral pg 76 Tool 2-5 a-b
Spiral pg 75 Tool 2-5a
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tepee
Word
Spiral pg 82 Tool 2-5c
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Meaningful Sentences Samples
governor
Word
Pointless I can spell the word
governor. Replace The governor declared an
emergency. Dictionary A governor is a woman
or a man who is elected by
the people of a state to lead.
After the governor of Alabama visited
the Meaningful area hit by the tornado and saw
the horrible destruction, he declared a state
of emergency.
Spiral pg 76
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• Sentence Mastery
• Section 3

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Meaningful Sentences Samples
governor
Word
Pointless I can spell the word
governor. Replace The governor declared an
emergency. Dictionary A governor is a woman
or a man who is elected by
the people of a state to lead.
After the governor of Alabama visited
the Meaningful area hit by the tornado and saw
the horrible destruction, he declared a state
of emergency.
At first, use all four- then narrow
Spiral pg 75, Tool 2-5b
Spiral pg 76
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Sentences using Who, What, Where, When, Action,
and How
Who
How
What
When
Action
Where
Spiral pg 100 Tools 3-5a to 3-5e
Spiral pg 100 Tools 3-5a to 5-5e
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Use Word Cards and Folded Paper
Who
Action
Where
How
.
My uncle
quickly
drove
to the grocery store.
Try changing order!
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Find interesting pictures and use the word cards
to write sentences
Who
What
Action
How
When
Where
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Perfect Sentences
Who
How
What
When
Action
Where
Spiral pg 116 Tool 3-12b
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Sentence Structure

• A simple sentence shares one complete thought.
• An compound sentence shares two or more complete
  thoughts, connected by conjunctions, and requires
  a comma before the conjunction
• A complex sentence shares two thoughts one is
  dependent and the other independent. The
  dependent needs the independent to make sense.
• A compound/complex sentence shares two or more
  complete thoughts and one or more incomplete
  thought.

Spiral pg 105 Tool 3-7a, 3-9a
Spiral pg 106 Tool 3-7a, 3-9a
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Kinds of Sentences

• A declarative sentence makes a statement.
• An imperative sentence gives a command.
• An exclamatory sentence shows emotion.
• An interrogative sentence asks a question.

Spiral pg 105 Tool 3-8a
Spiral pg 106 Tool 3-8a
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Four Kinds of Sentences Plus Sentence Structures
Imperative
Declarative
Exclamatory
Interrogative
What kind of dog does your family want?
Simple
Dogs like to explore, and they chew almost
anything.
Compound
Complex
Compo/Complex
Could you fill in the blank boxes? I knew you
could.
Tool 3-9b
Tool 3-9b
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Expository Writing

• Sections 4 5

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• The Writing Process
• Expository Structure
• Informal Outlines (the T chart)
• Topic Sentences (the greens)
• Transitions (the yellows)
• Elaboration (the reds)
• Conclusions (the greens again)
• Multiple Paragraph-Reports and Essays
• Writing Leads (the blues)

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The Writing Process
Prewrite Plan Draft Revise Edit Create a Final
Copy Proofread Share/Publish
An often missed step, now re-emphasized in SUTW
Tools 4-5ab
Tools 4-5ab
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The Writing Process
Students need explicit, direct instruction at
each step of the writing process. Skills need to
be taught and practiced first separately and then
together so that students can write with success
and confidence.
Spiral pg 146
Spiral pg 142
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Two Kinds of Writing
Writers must learn how texts are structured
because this knowledge supports their abilities
to create them.
NCTE Executive CommitteeNovember 2004
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Think About Terminology
Giving Information Expository
Telling a Story Narrative
BEGINNING
INTRODUCTION
Lead Topic Sentence Thesis Statement
Key/Star Ideas Transitions Elaborations
Restatement Summarization Encourage/Challen
ge
Setting Character Development
Plot Events
Conflict Problem
Climax Solution
MIDDLE
BODY
END
CONCLUSION
Spiral pg 136
Spiral pg 132
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Step Up Provides Tools for Effective Writing
Expository (Information)
Narrative (Story)
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Narrative Telling a Story
Two Kinds of Writing

Expository Giving Information
Narrative Telling a Story
Spanish Explorers
The Explorers
After Christopher Columbuss voyages to
the New World, many Spaniards came to this
continent to explore. One Spanish explorer was
Ponce de Leon. He traveled through present-day
Florida to find the Fountain of Youth. A second
explorer, Coronado, searched for the Seven Cities
of Gold. He and his men traveled for three years.
They did not find the cities of gold, but they
did find the villages of the Pueblo who lived in
the Southwest. They also saw the Grand Canyon. A
third explorer was Hernando de Soto. De Soto
traveled west as far as the Mississippi River. He
and his men were the first people from Spain to
explore the Mississippi. These three men were
only a few of the many people who explored the
New World.
Ted, Leon, and Leons little brother Kyle
stood by the side of the road looking at the
large, abandoned building in the distance.
For two years they had tried to gather the
strength and courage to go into the old Branson
house on the hill. Like most of the kids
at school, they believed the story about the
red-hatted bandits. It hadnt taken long for
the judge to send them off for punishment. But
no one had ever found the 500.00 in coins that
had disappeared from the First City Bank.
This year, Ted, Leon, and Kyle planned to explore
every inch of the house and . . . . .
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Tool 4-2a
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Two Kinds of Writing

Expository Giving Information
Narrative Telling a Story
Dolphins
Shadow
Before I learned to walk, my father
taught me to swim. We spent many hours playing in
the ocean waves and practicing kicking with the
help of my trusty surfboard. When I was
older and had become an expert swimmer, I began
enjoying morning swims on my own. One of
those mornings, I noticed that I had a shadow-a
beautiful, playful dolphin who seemed happy
mimicking my every move. When I splashed, he
splashed when I kicked, he simulated the
movement with a pronounced wave of his tail.
Each morning, like clockwork, the dophin
arrived-ready to play. We would frolic in the
sun, swimming closer and closer, until finally,
Shadow let me touch his nose. His skin was so
smooth, like the polished wood of my surfboard.
We spent that
The dolphin may look like a fish, but this
friendly sea creature is not a fish at all!
First of all, dolphins are mammals. They have
lungs just like humans. They must come to the
surface of the water to breathe and get oxygen
from the air. Fish, who are not mammals, get
oxygen from the water. Like other mammals,
dolphins also have backbones and are warm
blooded. Finally, dolphin females nurse their
young on milk, just like a cow might nurse her
calf. The dolphins streamlined body and
its big, strong tail resemble a fish, but dont
be fooled it is definitely a mammal.
Tool 4-2a
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Think About Colors
Narrative
Expository
INTRODUCTION
BEGINNING
BODY
MIDDLE
END
CONCLUSION
Tool 4-1a
Tool 4-1a
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Color-Coding for and Traffic Light Colors for
Expository Writing
Using color-coding and traffic light colors helps
students see the different parts of expository
compositions and in turn helps them organize
their writing.
Spiral pg 144
Spiral pg 148
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Traffic Light Organization
GO! Write a topic sentence.
SLOW DOWN! Give a reason, detail, or
fact. Include a transition.
STOP! Explain. Give an example.
GO BACK! Remind the reader of your topic.
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Colors In Action
Enjoying the Music
The orchestra performance yesterday was the best
assembly ever. First, my friends and I liked the
way the music filled the gym. It seemed like
sounds came from all directions the sides, the
front, and the back of the room. We also liked
the different sounds. At times everyone had to
be very quiet so we could hear. Then the music
would get loud and fast. It sounded like bees
invading the school. Another part of the assembly
that we all enjoyed was learning about the
instruments. I have seen them before, but I did
not know their names. Now I know that the
percussion instruments keep the beat. That is
why we can hear them when a band is marching.
Drums, bells, and triangles belong in the
percussion section. My friends and I hope we
will get to hear the orchestra again soon.
Spiral Pg 150
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Color-Coding Informal Outlines
Title Enjoying Music
T orchestra performance
? music
- filled auditorium
- quiet - loud
? sounds
? instruments

• - name
• - percussion
• marching
• drums
• triangles

C a great time
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Spiral Pg 151
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Color-Coding Traffic Light Colors
Have your students use Color-Coding with Traffic
Light Colors to show you they know their colors
by listening to the piece The World Is Filled
With Bugs! Give them colored slips of paper and
have them hold up the correct highlighter color.
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Colors In Action
The world is filled with bugs, and some of them
are quite helpful. One helpful bug is the
spider. Spiders, like the friendly garden
spider, eat other insects. A garden spider will
eat pesky mosquitoes. The lady bug is also a
friend. She eats aphids, little insects that
kill plants. It is easy to spot a lady bug
because many of them are bright red with black
dots on the back. A third helpful insect is the
praying mantis. Mantises eat Japanese beetles
that can destroy roses. The mantis is not
harmful to people, but with its legs it will grab
the beetle and destroy it. Some of the most
helpful bugs are the ones who pollinate flowers.
Bees and moths are pollinators. They carry
pollen from one plant to another. In fact, our
planet needs all of these small, helpful
creatures.
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Prewriting and Planning
Traditionally, teachers have taught that
prewriting leads directly to drafting. Adding
the planning stage can help students give form to
their writing before the drafting stage, saving
time and decreasing frustration.
Spiral 144-164
Spiral 142-143
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Responding to a Prompt
Prompt New pets can be fun. Perhaps your family
or someone you know has received a new pet. Write
an information paragraph explaining what you know
about the new pet.
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NowIts Time for Prewriting
Learning more about the topic generating ideas
Prewriting activities allow students to generate
ideas for possible responses to the prompt. One
of the more popular graphic organizers for
prewriting is the bubble cluster or web.
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One Example
small, cute
love her
Mom says will grow
Our New Puppy
friend
soft fur
playing
stuck by couch
food in kitchen
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My Puppy
Good ideas but no organization
This is about my puppy. She is small and
cute. Mom says she will grow. She has soft fur.
She likes to play. Her food is in the kitchen.
She got stuck behind the couch. Shes my friend.
I love her. The End.

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Prewriting Planning
Prewriting Planning Drafting Revising
Editing Creating a Final Copy Proofreading
Sharing
The WINNING COMBINATION
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Informal Outlines
Organization is the KEY to Great Expository
Writing
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Informal Outlines
T New Puppy

• - small, cute
• mom says grow

? looks

• - soft fur

?acts

• - food
• in kitchen

• - stuck
• by couch
• dad laughed

Spiral 146 Tools 4-5a
C a friend
Spiral 150 Tools 4-5c
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Our New Puppy
Great ideas and strong organization
I adore our familys new puppy.
One reason I love her is the way she looks and
acts. Missy is so small and cute. My mom says
that she is small now but will grow up to be very
big. She has soft black fur and is fun to hold.
I also love watching her play. Once she ran
around and around. She spilled her food all over
the kitchen floor. What a mess! Then later she
got stuck behind the couch. Dad and I just
laughed. I am glad to have this new friend.
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Responding to a Prompt
Prompt Name and explain two activities you
enjoyed this past summer in a report.
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One Example
cleaned fish
swimming
went fishing
visited grandparents
last summer
time with Kayla
birthday party
watched movies
set up fishing rods
played computer games
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My Summer
Good ideas but no organization
This is about my summer vacation. I went
swimming. I went fishing with my dad. I spent
time with my new friend Kayla. We watched
movies. We played computer games. Oh by the way I
read some books. I learned how to set up a
fishing rod. There was a birthday party this
summer. I visited my grandparents. I learned
how to clean fish. Now you know what I did this
summer. The End
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Informal Outlines
T A Great Summer
- learning
? Fishing

• since five

• - no help
• set up rod
• caught trout
• cleaned trout

? New Friend

• - big house
• at corner

• - birthday
• same day

• - time together
• all day

• - activities
• games
• fishing

C a great time
Tool 4-7a Spiral 156
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A Great Summer
Great ideas and strong organization
I always enjoy my summer vacations, but two
activities made this summer extra special. First
of all, I learned to fish. Ive been fishing
since I was five, but it took me four years to
learn how to do it right. Without help from my
father or grandfather, I set up my own rod and
caught four trout. I even cleaned them, so we
could fry them at camp for dinner. The second
reason it was so wonderful was my friend, Kayla.
Kayla, and her family moved into the big house on
the corner. Her birthday is the same as mine, so
our families had a party together. We both like
to play games on the computer, swim and read.
Yes, I even taught Kayla to fish. What a great
summer.
Tool 4-7a Spiral 146
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Responding to a Prompt
Prompt Name a book youve recently read and
explain three reasons why you enjoyed it so much.
Write a 5 paragraph essay. Paragraph 1 is the
introduction, the next three paragraphs are the
body, and paragraph 5 is the conclusion.
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One Example
Robert Kraske
Strait of Gibralter
exciting tales
Theophrastus
12 Million Dollar Note
ocean currents
oil spills
tells messages
sea disasters
Jack Worm
Daisy Alexander
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My
Book Report My name is Roberto and Im going
to tell you all about a book I read called The
Twelve Million Dollar Note. It was a book
that had lots of action and lots of suspense. It
had exiting tales, important messages in bottles,
and currents that happened There was a lady
named Daisy Alexander and a guy named Jack Worm.
She had a will and he found it. He got rich.
Lucky dude. There were some sea disasters that
some bottles told about. There were some oil
spills, too. OopsI forgot to mention about the
ocean currents. Wait! Yes I did already mention
that already. There was a Greek guy named
Theophrastus and he had some theories about those
ocean currents I talked about a few minutes ago.
And I think a bottle went to the Straight of
Gibraltar but Im not sure. Thank you for
reading my five paragraph report on the book I
read. I liked it. It otta be like a movie.
The End
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Informal Outlines
TopicThe Twelve Million Dollar Note
- Jack Worm
?Exciting tales
- March 16, 1949

• - will inside
• written by Daisy Alexander
• millionaires daughter

• - bottles finder
• got 12 million

- explains disasters at sea
?Use of bottle messages
- solve a crime
- predict oil spills
- 2000 years ago
?chart ocean currents

• - Theophrastus
• Greek oceanographer
• theory/dropped bottle

• - Strait of Gilbralter
• proved theory

Tool 4-7a
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Conclusioninteresting book
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When I first started The Twelve Million Dollar
Note by Robert Kraske, I thought that Id picked
a boring book, but now I feel different. First,
the book tells many exciting tales of how
ordinary people have changed their lives by
finding a bottle on the beach with a message
tucked neatly inside and a cork stuck on the top.
One tale, for example, occurred on March 16,
1949, when Jack Worm found a bottle with a will
inside. The will was written by Daisy Alexander,
the daughter of Isaac Singer, a famous sewing
machine millionaire. She left the finder of the
bottle twelve million dollars, half of her
estate. The book also tells of many other uses
for bottle messages. Some of the messages were
used to explain a disaster at sea, to solve a
crime, or to predict oil spills. In
addition, The Twelve Million Dollar Note tells
how ocean currents were charted by the use of
bottle messages. Two thousand years ago, a Greek
oceanographer named Theophrastus believed that
the Mediterranean Sea received most of its water
from the Atlantic Ocean. He dropped bottles into
the Strait of Gilbralter to prove his theory.
Im glad that I didnt give up on this book and
Id recommend it to you if you are looking for
interesting reading.
Tool 4-7a
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Everyone Can Learn

• Everyone can learn to write clear, concise,
  organized paragraphs if they are provided with
• direct instructions
• step-by-step guidelines
• examples
• opportunities to practice, and
• specific feedback.
• 
  Maureen Auman
• Author of Step Up to
  Writing

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7th grade
Sample 1 ParagraphPrompt Write a paragraph
explaining your opinion about gangs and
their effects on our society.
Good ideas but no organization

• Gangs
• Gangs are just a bunch of people with nothing
  better to do. Gangs cause problems. I would not
  join a gang. Well, maybe if I was with my friends
  but probably not. My mom is against gangs. The
  movies are filled with gangs and there are a lot
  of songs about gangs. Stay away from gangs. They
  are bad for you.

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Sample 2 Organized ParagraphPrompt Explain
your opinion about smoking and its effects on
society.
5th grade
Great ideas and strong organization

• Smokings Health Toll and Price Tag
• Although smoking may seem cool, it is very
  unhealthy. Many people die from smoking related
  problems such as cancer and heart disease every
  year. Its very expensive, too. First,
  according to World Book Encyclopedia, during the
  mid-1980s, smoking was the cause of 30 percent
  of all the deaths from cancer and heart disease
  in the United States. Cigarette smoking was
  associated with 85 percent of all cases of lung
  cancer. Secondly, smoking is very expensive.
  If someone smoked one pack of cigarettes every
  day that cost 3 for 50 years, it would cost them
  54,750 which is enough to buy an expensive and
  luxurious car. On the contrary, if someone put 3
  a day into the bank, they would be making
  hundreds of dollars in only a few years just
  because of the interest collected. Clearly,
  smoking is very unhealthy and very expensive too.
  So dont start smoking until youve considered
  all of the negative effects.

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Sample 3 Organized ParagraphPrompt Write a
paragraph explaining why your neighborhood is a
great place to live.
1st grade
Great ideas and strong organization
73
74
1st grade
74
75
Drafting with Folded Paper
Students need to see the connection between their
informal outlines and the paragraphs they
draft. At the beginning, using folded paper or
colored sentence strips allows them to see how
the ideas in their informal outlines are changed
into complete sentences when they draft their
paragraphs.
75
76
Paper Folding
TS
Front of paper
E
E
76
77
Paper Folding
Back of paper
E
E
C
77
78
Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements
Spiral 163-171
Spiral 167-180
78
79
Topic Sentences used for paragraph and report
writing when the writer is explaining
facts Thesis Statements used for essay writing
when the writer expresses an opinion, takes a
position, or makes an argument
Tool 4-18a
Tool 4-17a
79
80
Topic Sentences

• used in information/expository writing
• presents the writers purpose
• tells what is to be proved or explained
• can be written in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person
• leads to the writers star ideas

Spiral 163-171 Tools 4-18a-i
Spiral 167-175 Tools 4-17a-i
80
81
Topic Sentences
Topic Lovable Lizards The magazine article
about lizards that we read in science class
captured everyones attention.
Topic The Zoo Field Trip On our field trip to
the zoo, the guide in the reptile house explained
how the poisonous snakes are fed.
Topic Report on Recess When we head outdoors
for recess, we have many choices for fun and
energizing activities.
81
82
Look Familiar?
Not Great
Hi, my name is _________________ and Im going to
tell you three things about.
This is about Here are . . .
Better Options Through Strategies
82
83
Dont Get Caught in the Things Trap
Instead, use
abilities facts problems actions feelings qua
lities agreements ideas reasons attributes impr
essions responses behaviors incidents sections c
oncerns matters situations conflicts occasions
successes details points thoughts
Tool 4-20a
Tool 4-19a
83
84
Power/Number Topic Sentences
My family has three pets.
My mom makes several meals that I love.
At lunch, we have four rules to follow.
I collect three categories of rocks.
Finding Nemo is my all time favorite animated
movie for two reasons.
Spiral pg 169 Tool 4-19e
Spiral pg 172 Tool 4-18e
84
85
Power/Number Words

• Two
• Three
• Many
• Some
• A few
• Plenty of

• Various
• Numerous
• A variety of
• Myriad of
• A plethora of
• A cornucopia of

Spiral pg 169 Tool 4-19e
Spiral pg 172 Tool 4-18e
86
Oral Guided Practice-Power/Number Prompt Write
a paragraph identifying your favorite movie
and explain two reasons why it is
unforgettable to you.
T Favorite Movie
delights audiences for two reasons.
Finding Nemo
Develop your own Power/Number Statement for YOUR
favorite movie
Tool 4-19e
86
87
Topic Sentences Practice

Power Statement
87
88
Action Verb
Action Verb Topic Sentences are declarative
statements that use STRONG verbs (action words).
The Sound of Music expanded my knowledge of World
War II.
Scientists discovered several new features of the
sea.
The BeeGees recorded some famous songs during the
1960s and the 1970s.
Spiral pg 166 Tools 4-19a
Spiral pg 176 Tool 4-18a
Spiral 169 Tools 4-18a
88
89
Choose Strong Verbs
adore amaze appeal capture dazzle excite fascinate
giggle inspire tickle unleash
Choose a verb.
Build a sentence.
Tool 9-7f
Tool 9-7f
Tool 9-7e
89
90
Oral Guided Practice-Action VerbPrompt
Write a paragraph identifying your favorite
movie and explain two reasons why it is
unforgettable to you.
T Favorite Movie
amazes
each and every person who sees it.
Finding Nemo
Develop your own Action Verb Topic Sentence for
YOUR favorite movie
Tool 4-19a
90
91
Topic Sentences Practice

Power Statement
Action Verb
91
92
Where or When Whats Happening
Where

Whats Happening
or
When
Tool 4-19b
Tool 4-18b
92
93
When or Where Whats Happening
At my grandmothers house, I watched my favorite
movie, Finding Nemo.
At the city zoo, animals receive special food and
special care.
Last summer, I prepared to watch a solar eclipse
with my family and friends.
During the Step Up To Writing training, the
trainer demonstrated new topic sentence
strategies.
93
94
Oral Guided PracticePrompt Write a
paragraph identifying your favorite movie and
explain two reasons why it is unforgettable to
you.
T Favorite Movie
you should consider watching Finding Nemo.
Tonight at home,
Develop your own When or Where Plus Whats
Happening Topic Sentence.
94
95
Topic Sentences Practice
Action Verb
Power Statement
Where, When Whats Happening
95
96
Occasion/ Position
Occasion
Position

• First part
• Introduces reason for writing
• Dependent clause

• Second part
• States what will be proved or explained
• Independent clause

Tools 4-19c
Tool pg 4-18e
96
97
Occasion/Position (O/P)
Even though I enjoy watching many movies, The
Sound of Music is my favorite.
When the hero was locked in a maze, he found a
clever way to get out.
Whenever I want to relax, I read a good book.
Because our test scores are low, were looking at
a new program to spice up our writing instruction.
97
98
Occasion/ Position
A two part sentence that begins with one of these
words or phrases
So that Though Unless Until When
As soon as Because Before Even Even if
Even though If In order that In order to Since
Whenever Where Wherever Whether While
After Although As As if As long as
Tool 4-18d
Tool 4-18c
98
99
Oral Guided Practice-O/PPrompt Write a
paragraph identifying your favorite movie and
explain two reasons why it is unforgettable to
you.
T Favorite Movie
Although Whenever Even though After If
Although there Finding Nemo is not are
many movies to be missed. from which to
choose,
Develop your own Occasion/Position topic sentence.
99
100
Topic Sentences Practice
Action Verb
Power Statement
Occasion/Position
Where, When Whats Happening
100
101
Choose A Topic Sentence
Action Verb
Power/Number
Where, When Whats Happening
Occasion/Position
101
102
Paper Folding
Although there are many movies that I adore,
Finding Nemo rates as my all-time favorite movie
for two reasons.
TS
Front of paper
102
103
Expository Transitions
Spiral pp 177-183 Tools 4-24a - 4-30a
Spiral pp 185-191 Tool 4-24a - 4-30a
103
104
Transitions Definition

• Transitions in expository writing are words or
  phrases that writers use to

• introduce new key/star ideas
• tie ideas together
• signal a change
• make connections

104
105
Hints for Teaching Transitions

• Offer transitions lists

105
106
Obvious Transitions

• One way ? Another way
• First ? Another ? Next
• A good ? A better ? The best
• The first ? The second
• One ? Then ? Another
• One ? Another ? Finally

Tool 4-24 a
Tool 4-25 a
107
Use Transition Lists in Planning
Prompt All kids have chores. What are yours?
T chores
trash
(one)
dishwasher
(another)
room
(finally)
C jobs
Obvious transitions A good place to start!
107
108
Hints for Teaching Transitions

• Offer transitions lists.
• Provide sample paragraphs. Circle transition
  words or phrases.

108
109
Sample Paragraphs

• In the honeybee colony there are three
  different kinds of bees. One kind of bee is the
  female worker bee. Her job is to gather nectar
  and make it into honey inside her body. She can
  do this because she has a special stomach where
  the honey is produced. Another bee is the drone.
  The drone does not work. He mates with the queen
  bee to make more bees. Then theres the queen.
  Her job is to be the mother of all the bees in
  the hive. A bee becomes the queen bee because
  when the bee is small, it is fed a special food
  called royal jelly. This jelly is a mixture of
  pollen, honey, and saliva. All three kinds of
  bees are important in the honeybee colony.

109
110
Hints for Teaching Transitions

• Offer transitions lists.
• Provide sample paragraphs. Circle the transition
  words or phrases.
• Color-code paragraphs. Show students that
  transitions are used in the yellows.

110
111
Color-code Paragraphs
Directions Read the paragraph and then
color-code.

• Seeds come in many sizes and are used in
  different ways. A coconut is one of the biggest
  seeds. People eat part of the coconut on
  cookies, cakes, and in salads. Nuts and corn are
  also seeds that people eat. People love to eat
  these delicious seeds! Another example of a seed
  is an apple seed. People enjoy apples but
  usually do not eat the seeds. All seeds are
  important because they are used to start new
  plants.

111
112
Hints for Teaching Transitions

• Offer transitions lists.
• Provide sample paragraphs. Circle transition
  words or phrases.
• Color-code paragraphs. Show students that
  transitions are used in yellow sentences.
• Explain to students that transitions do not need
  to be the first word in the sentence and they do
  not have to be obvious.

112
113
Using Buried Transitions
Directions Read the paragraph and then
color-code.
Seeds come in many sizes and are used in
different ways. A coconut is one of the biggest
seeds. People eat part of the coconut on
cookies, cakes, and in salads. Nuts and corn are
also seeds that people eat. People love to eat
these delicious seeds! Another example of a seed
is an apple seed. People enjoy apples but
usually do not eat the seeds. All seeds are
important because they are used to start new
plants.
Buried
Obvious
114
Not So Obvious Transitions

• I have many kinds of shoes for many different
  activities. My leather hiking boots are very
  unique. They are still pretty new since I only
  wear them when my family walks together in the
  park. Because the park has many hills and narrow
  paths, my boots help me climb, and they protect
  my feet. I use my ballet slippers each Wednesday
  for dance lessons. On the weekend, I wear them
  when Im pretending to be a ballerina. My white
  dress shoes are my favorites. I get to wear them
  to parties and when I go out for lunch with my
  grandmother. Obviously, I need lots of different
  shoes because I do many different things.

Tools 4-28a 4-29a
Tools 4-27a
114
115
Paper Folding
Front of paper
The first reason I love Finding Nemo is because
of the interesting story line.
Key/Star Ideas
115
116
Elaboration
Spiral pp 184-187 Tools 4-31a thru 4-33b
Spiral pp 193-195 Tool 4-31a thru 4-33b
116
117
The Es-The Reds Definition

• The Es are the reds-stop and explain.
• The Es add interest to your paper and help your
  reader understand your ideas.
• Always ask yourself if you have enough red or
  have explained your key/star ideas.
• Check to see if you have included specific
  examples, or presented enough evidence.

117
118
Es Make Better Paragraphs
Favorite Games
Fantastic Fun
At recess my friends and I play our two
favorite games. One of my favorite games is dodge
ball. I am good at jumping out of the way. I
never get hit. Another game we like is jump
rope. We practice every day. We try to learn
new tricks. Recess is definitely a lot of fun.
Every day my best friends Elizabeth, Sara,
Simone, and I wait anxiously for recess.
Sometimes during recess we battle each other in a
game of dodge ball. Sara is as fast as lightning
and hardly ever gets hit. I am pretty quick
myself. When the ball comes screaming across the
playground, I weave and duck to avoid being hit.
On other days we perfect our jump roping skills.
We are determined to become world champions, so
we try to improve our speed and use more than one
rope. The ropes sometimes go so fast that we
cant even see them. Just like circus
performers, we have given ourselves a name. Were
Four Fast Friends. Math, English, and Science
are important, but recess gives us a reason to go
to school.
The reds make your writing interesting
and believable.
118
119
Elaboration Use Es
Use Es to back up your reasons, details, or
facts.

• Examples
• Explanations
• Evidence
• Events
• Experiences

Expert Opinion Everyday Life Effective
Illustrations Elaboration Excitement
Tool 4-31a
Tool 4-31a
119
120
Paper Folding
Front of paper
The part where Nemo meets Dory, the forgetful
fish, makes me laugh every time I see it.
E
The part where Nemo decides he doesnt want to go
to fish school and venture out on his own is an
exciting scene.
E
120
121
Conclusions
Spiral pp 197-200 Tool 4-34a thru 4-36b
Spiral pp 188-192 Tools 4-34a thru 4-36b
121
122
A Conclusion

• ties all the parts together and reminds readers
  about the topic and the purpose for the paragraph
• rounds off a paragraph, flows naturally from what
  has been written and does not raise new issues
• reflects the topic sentence and shares a final
  observation about a topic

122
123
Hints for Writing Conclusions

• Restate your position remind your reader of your
  topic and purpose.

123
124
Restate the Topic and Purpose
T lunch rules

• T We have several important rules in the
  school cafeteria.

C Our cafeteria rules are important.
Spiral pp 190-192 Tool 4-34a
Spiral pp 198 Tool 4-36a
124
125
Restate the Topic and Purpose
T two stories

• T In class our teacher read two great
  stories.

C The two stories the teacher read
are great stories.
125
126
Hints for Writing Conclusions

• Restate your position remind your reader of your
  topic and purpose.
• Use synonyms, new action words, or new
  descriptive words.

126
127
Restate Using the Synonym Strategy
T McDonalds
T I love McDonalds for two reasons.
C For these two reasons, I enjoy McDonalds.
127
128
Restate Using the Synonym Strategy
T water conservation
T Before you decide to let water run from the
faucet while you brush your teeth, think about
the serious problems caused by water shortages.
CThe issues caused by the lack of water should
encourage everyone to try to conserve water
whenever possible.
128
129
Hints for Writing Conclusions

• Restate your position remind your reader of your
  topic and purpose.
• Use synonyms, new action words, or new
  descriptive words.
• Have a purpose for your conclusion.

129
130
Tool 4-36b
Tool 4-36b
130
131
Hints for Writing Conclusions

• Restate your position remind your reader of your
  topic and purpose.
• Use synonyms, new action words, or new
  descriptive words.
• Have a purpose for your conclusion.
• Vary the structure, then try adding one of these
  words or phrases to a topic sentence In
  conclusion, To sum it up, Certainly, Clearly,
  Surely, Definitely, In fact, Overall, Truly,

131
132
Choose A Conclusion
Where, When Whats Happening
Action Verb
Power/Number
O/P
132
133
Paper Folding
Back of paper
All in all, I adore watching Finding Nemo. So
will you.
C
133
134

The Accordion Essay (Section 5)
134
135
The Accordion Stretch
Short Paragraph
Accordion Essay
Longer Paragraph
135
136
Prompt If you have pets, write an informative
paragraph explaining why they make such good
companions.
Gabe and MC
T Gabe and MC
Hamsters, fish, birds, and dogs may make good
pets, but cats, like my cats MC and Gabe,
definitely provide the best companionship.
First, they are cuddly. When I am sick they roll
up into a ball on my comforter and keep me
company. They always cuddle at the end of my bed
at night. Next, they are playful. Their
favorite toys are fake mice. These mice have fur
that feels real. I toss the mouse and my cats go
after it. We play this game all the time.
Finally, they are faithful. They sit on our
window ledge each afternoon just waiting for me
to come home from school. After I get in the
door, they jump down to greet me. Gabe and MC
are wonderful friends and great pets.
? (first) cuddly
- sick
- at night
? (next) playful
- fake mice
? fur
- toss
- all the time
? (finally) faithful
- window ledge
- greet me
C friends and great pets
136
137
The Essay
Gabe and MC
T Gabe and MC
? (first) cuddy
- sick
- at night
? (next) playful
ADD MORE RED
- fake mice
? fur
- toss
- all the time
? (finally) faithful
- window ledge
- greet me
C friends and great pets
137
138
The Paragraph.to the Essay
Gabe and MC
Gabe and MC
Hamsters, fish, birds, and dogs may
make good pets, but cats, like my cats MC and
Gabe, definitely provide the best
companionship. First, they are cuddly.
When I am sick they roll up into a ball on my
comforter and keep me company. They always
cuddle at the end of my bed at night.
Next, they are playful. Their favorite toys are
fake mice. These mice have fur that feels real.
I toss the mouse and my cats go after it. We
play this game all the time. Finally,
they are faithful. They sit on our window ledge
each afternoon just waiting for me to come home
from school. After I get in the door, they jump
down to greet me. Gabriel and MC
are wonderful friends and great pets.
138
139
The Introduction
Step 1
Title ________________________
Prompt Write an essay explaining why pets
make good companions.
Gabe and MC
139
140
The Introduction
Step 2
Refine the topic. Write a draft of your topic
sentence. Hamsters, fish, birds and dogs may
make good pets, but cats, like my cats MC and
Gabe, definitely provide the best companionship.
140
141
The Introduction
Step 3
Write a plan sentence using your key/star ideas
in the draft introductory paragraph. . . .but
cats, like my cats Gabe and MC, definitely
provide the best companionship. (Implied
Plan) Gabriel and McCaela are cuddly, playful,
and faithful. (Projected Plan)
141
142
The Introduction
Step 4
Block out what you want to cover in each
paragraph. Title Gabe and MC Topic Sentence
Hamsters, fish, birds and dogs may make good
pets, but cats, like my cats Gabe and MC,
definitely provide the best companionship. Plan
My two cats are cuddly, playful, and faithful.
Block Out Introduction cuddly playful
faithful Conclusion
142
143
The Body
Steps 56
Choose transitions that might be used to
introduce your key/star ideas. Add these to the
informal outline. cuddly (first of
all) sick
TV snuggled still/quiet end of bed

143
144
The Body
Steps 56
Choose transitions that might be used to
introduce your key/star ideas. Add these to the
informal outline. playful
(also) chase ball fake mice throw in
air pounce and retrieve MC climbs behind
shades hunts insects catches insects
144
145
The Body
Steps 56
Choose transitions that might be used to
introduce your key/star ideas. Add these to the
informal outline.
Faithful (another) watch from window
ledge glad walks around rubs leg waits for
me to talk treat never lonesome
145
146
Conclusion
Step 7

• Ideas for my conclusion
• - one pet for me
• - companions and friends
• make life wonderful
• Hint
• use synonyms
• remind the reader of the topic
• Your conclusion will have at least two sentences

146
147
Lets Try It
Title Topic Sentence Plan
Introduction
Conclusion

147
148
From Draft to Sharing

• Step 8 Write your first draft.
• Step 9 Revise your first draft
• ideas/content
• sentence fluency
• word choice
• organization
• Step 10 Edit
• Step 11 Final Copy
• Step 12 Proof read and share

148
149
From Draft to Sharing

• Step 9 Revise your first draft
• improve content
• sentence structure
• vocabulary
• organization

Tool 10-3 a b
Tools 10-3 a b
149
150
Checklist for Revising
________ Meets expectations of the assignment or
writing prompt ________ Stays on topic ________
Is developed appropriately for the
assignment ________ Is written with a purpose
and for a specific audience ________ Has the
right style, voice, and tone ________ Is written
from the best point of view ________ Follows the
right format-expository or narrative ________ Is
organized accurately and effectively ________
Has varied sentences that do not begin the same
way
150
151
From Draft to Sharing

• Step 10 Edit your revised draft
• Capital letters correct?
• Usage of grammar correct?
• Punctuation is correct?
• Spelling is correct?

Tool 10-7 a b
Tools 10-7 a b
151
152
Adding the BLUES (The Lead)
Tool 4-23a and 5-8a,b
Tool 5-8 bc
152
153
The lead are sentences that introduce a topic.
They function as attention getters or a warming
up to the topic or thesis. Step Up To Writing
provides 8 strategies for writing the blues.
Adding the BLUES (The Lead)

• Short Narrative
• Humor
• Question
• Facts and Background
• Quotation
• Poetry
• Bold/Startling Statement
• Example from News/TV/History/Movie/Literature

Spiral pg 227 Tool 5-8a
Spiral pg 175 218 Tool 5-8a,b
153
154
Sample Without the Blues
If I could have anything I wanted, I would make
three wishes. My wishes would benefit the world,
my family, and, of course, myself.
Sample WITH the Blues
Ive watched movies and read several books
that tell stories of individuals, families, and
even communities whose lives are changed when a
wish comes true. Ive enjoyed all of the stories
even though they are not always believable. If I
could have anything I wanted, I would make three
wishes. My wishes would benefit the world, my
family, and, of course, myself.
154
155
The Blues (lead)

• The Blues (lead) is introductory information
  added to the introduction to make it more
  interesting and introduces the topic.
• Babies are cute and babies are fun. I know
  because my sisters are still babies. Even though
  I love them, and Im glad they are part of my
  family, they drive me crazy.

155
156
The Blues (lead)

• The Blues (lead) is introductory information
  added to the introduction to make it more
  interesting and introduces the topic.
• Babies are cute and babies are fun. Crying
  and pooping are never done. Even though I love
  them, and Im glad they are part of my family, my
  baby sisters drive me crazy.

156
157
Using the Blues to Get the Audience Hooked

• Anything that lives in nature lives in constant
  danger. Animals, for example, must protect
  themselves from insects and other animals. Did
  you know that some plants also have ways to
  protect themselves from hungry animals or
  insects? Plants have three ways that they use to
  stay safe in nature.

157
158
Stretching with the BLUE
Reading Textbooks Textbooks packed with
information are the backbone of many high school
and college classes. Students understand the
necessity for this kind of reading but often feel
frustrated by their inability to read and
remember. Reading history and science textbooks
can be especially challenging. This task can
become easier and more rewarding when students
use two basic comprehension strategies.
158
159
Paper Folding
Are you looking for a movie that will make you
laugh, keep you on the edge of your seat, and
make you cry? Have I got a movie for you!
TS
Front of paper
159
160
Story/Narrative Writing (Section 6)
Spiral pp 257-301
Spiral pp 243-292
160
161
Story and Narrative Writing
Narrative writing has always been an important
part of a schools writing curriculum and its
often tested on local, state, and national
assessments. Its part of a well balanced
literacy pr