Look back at our class lesson to get examples of a variety of topic sentence formats. You can also read some of the examples we shared and came up with together.

1. Writing a Topic
Sentence
You can do it!

2. Activities:
A. As a class:
1. Discuss what a topic sentence is.
2. Look at kinds of topic sentences you can write.
B. Individually:
1. Revisit your topic sentences on the research outline.
Revise your topic sentences. (challenge yourself to use different forms
for each introduction.)
C. In your research group:
1. Each member of that group will share their topic
sentences. Members in the group will edit them together. *Make sure
the topic sentences introduce the main idea (theme) of the information
to follow.
D. As a class:
1. Students will share their revised topic sentences.
You can do it!

3. What is a Topic Sentence?
Write your idea here:

4. What is a Topic Sentence?
A topic sentence introduces a paragraph.
It tells the reader what a paragraph is about.
It contains the main idea.

5. You can write different kinds of topic
sentences.
You can use a sound.
You can begin with a quotation.

6. You can ask a question.
Do you remember the moment you
started to swim?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sink
to the bottom of the deepest ocean trench in a
bathysphere?
What scares you in the middle of
the night?

7. Write two examples of a topic sentence by
asking a question.

8. You can use one or two words.
Oh no!
Fire!
Skateboards!
Jelly Beans!

9. Write two examples of a topic sentence by
using one or two words.

10. You can begin with a quotation.
"Don't ever whistle at the northern lights!"
said Uncle Pipe.
"Remember the time we jumped over the
hole that went to the center of the earth?"
asked my brother Roy.
"Help!" I sobbed clinging to the
ladder of the forestry tower.

11. Write two examples of a topic sentence
using a quotation.

12. You can use a sound.
You
Snap!
Creak!
Meow!
Whoosh!

13. Write two examples of a topic sentence by using a
sound.

14. You can use an interesting fact.
It's hard to believe, but Aurora has a bigger
population than Iceland!
A tarantula can live five to ten
years.
The ancient Greeks called
comets "hairy stars."

15. Write two examples of a topic sentence by writing
an interesting fact.

16. You can capture a moment.
It was a warm summer night, when I crept out
of the cabin to whistle at the northern lights.
Suddenly I did a face plant on
the pavement.
My mother appeared with a birthday cake
blazing with candles.

17. Write two examples of a topic sentence by
capturing a moment.

18. You can state a belief or opinion.
Broccoli ought to be banned from the school
cafeteria.
Sunrise students need P.E. every day.
Parents, let your children stay up as
late as they want.

19. Write two examples of a topic sentence by stating a
belief or an opinion.

20. Let's Write!
To Do:
1. Revisit your topic sentences on the research outline.
Revise your topic sentences. (Challenge yourself to use different forms
for each topic sentence.)
2. Then meet with your research partner (or group). Each
member of your group will share their topic sentences.
3. Members in the group will edit them together. *Make sure
the topic sentences introduce the main idea (theme) of the information
to follow.
4. Be prepared to share your paragraphs in whole
group.
You can do it!

21. Are you ready? Let's
write a paragraph with
a good topic sentence !

23. Name of Lesson: Writing a Topic Sentence
Lesson found on Smart Exchange and altered to fit 5th
grade curriculum and lesson purpose.
Grade/Content Area: 3rd/Writing/Introduction
Your Name: M. Louise Barbour
GVC Standard and Benchmark(s): Writing Standard
2: Students write and speak using conventional
grammar, usage,
sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and
spelling.
21st Century Standard/Benchmark(s): ISTE
(2007, for students): 1. Creativity and Innovation:
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct
knowledge, and develop innovative products and
processes using technology. Students: b. create
original works as a means of personal or group
expression.
Note: All images are googled Learning Outcomes:
Free Clip Art. None are actual Students will know what a topic sentence is.
1.
2. Students will explore several kinds of topic
students in my class. sentences.
3. Students will be able to write a topic sentence at
the beginning of a paragraph.
Learning Activity: Students will review what a topic
sentence is. They will look at kinds of topic
sentences. They will practice writing several topic
sentences. Finally they will demonstrate they can
write a topic sentence by writing a paragraph with a
good topic sentence.
Assessment: Students paragraphs will be evaluated
using the third grade CSAP rubric.