Unit Plan 9 (Grade 3 ELA): Paragraph Writing Foundations

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week builds the core moves of informative paragraph writing: crafting a strong topic sentence, selecting and developing supporting details, and closing with a clear wrap-up (concluding) statement. Students learn to group related information and write in complete, well-formed sentences while applying capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. By Friday, they publish a polished paragraph with a precise focus and well-chosen details.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Compose a topic sentence that clearly introduces the subject and main point of an informational paragraph.
2. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and examples that are relevant and grouped logically.
3. Write a wrap-up statement that reinforces the main point (conclusion).
4. Use complete sentences with correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and grade-appropriate spelling.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 3

• Writing: W.3.2a–b (introduce a topic; group related information; develop with facts/definitions/details)
• Language: L.3.1 (demonstrate command of grammar and usage), L.3.2 (capitalization, punctuation, spelling)

Success Criteria — student language

• I can write a clear topic sentence that tells the reader what my paragraph will explain.
• I can add 2–3 related details (facts, definitions, examples) that truly support my point.
• I can end with a wrap-up sentence that reminds the reader of my main idea.
• I can check my paragraph for complete sentences, capitals, punctuation, and correct spelling.