Write a Conclusion That Does More Than Repeat: Conclusion Revision Mini-Lessons for Opinion and Informational Writing, 2nd-3rd Grade

Description

Young writers often end a piece by saying the same thing again, or just stopping. This Write a Conclusion That Does More Than Repeat unit is a set of revision mini-lessons that teaches 2nd- and 3rd-graders to write strong conclusions that close their writing with purpose. Students learn four named conclusion types (look ahead, zoom out, ask a question, and leave the reader thinking) and practice replacing a weak ending with a strong one.

This print-and-teach resource is designed to fit inside your existing writing lessons. It teaches one revision move, strengthening the conclusion, so you can teach it as a short sequence and then use it whenever students revise their own drafts.

All passages focus on Earth’s systems and space, so your writing block builds science content knowledge at the same time!

How the lessons work

In each genre, students begin with an exploration lesson. They study two versions of the same passage, one with a weak conclusion and one with a strong conclusion, and name what the strong conclusion does. Then three activities move from most supported to most independent:

• • Activity 1, Choose a Conclusion: Students read a passage with four pre-written conclusions, one of each type, and explain which one they would choose and why. All four are strong, so the goal is building a rationale, not finding one right answer.
  • Activity 2, Write Two Conclusions and Choose One: Students write two conclusions using two different types, then compare them.
  • Activity 3, Revise With a Strong Conclusion: Students cross out the weak conclusion and write one strong replacement, with no options provided.

Samples are included for every activity in both genres. The sample explanations model specific craft reasoning, so students can see what a strong explanation looks like.

What’s included

• • Teacher guide
  • Write Strong Conclusions strategy poster, in black-and-white and color
  • Before You Publish checklist
  • Revision rubric
  • Exploration lessons for opinion and informational writing
  • Three application activities for each genre
  • Samples for all activities in both genres

Why teach revision with models

Telling students to “make it better” doesn’t give them anything to act on. A named strategy paired with side-by-side models of weak and strong writing does. Students see the difference, name the technique, and practice it across three activities, so the skill has a chance to carry into their own writing.

Part of the Write On! series

This resource uses the same exploration and application framework as my Write On! Grammar Integration resources. Grammar builds sentence-level skills and revision builds craft-level moves, so the two series work well in the same writing block. You don’t need the grammar resources to use this one.

It’s also one of eight strategies in the Write On! Revision Mini-Lessons Bundle, 2nd-3rd Grade.

FAQ

How does this resource teach students to write strong conclusions?
Students first compare a weak conclusion and a strong conclusion from the same passage and name what changed. They then learn the four conclusion types and move through three activities, from choosing between pre-written conclusions to revising on their own.

Is this a full writing unit?
No. It teaches one specific revision move (strengthening the conclusion) and is designed to be used inside your existing opinion and informational writing lessons.

Do I need the Write On! Grammar resources to use this?
No. The two series are designed to work together, but each one stands on its own.

Please remember, this purchase is for the use of one teacher. It is not intended to be shared. Please use the ‘additional license’ purchase if more than one teacher will be using it. Thank you!

Copyright © Ideas By Jivey, LLC
All rights reserved by author, Jessica Ivey.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.