Help students practice the basics of writing an essay - as a small group! Students can let go of the fear and stress about writing their first 5-paragraph essay when they work as a group to support each other in this step-by-step process. Perfect for new essay writers, hesitant and struggling writers, English Language Learners, or just as a fun activity before your essay writing unit. 25 pages in both Printable and Digital versions. *NEWLY REVISED and UPDATED November 2022*
By allowing students to practice the process as a group we are helping to build their confidence as writers.
This Group Essay Writing Unit includes:
✳️ Graphic Organizer with the General Structure of an Essay
✳️ General Essay Rubric
✳️ What Does a Good Essay Look Like? (Class discussion and note-taking handout)
✳️ Group Essay: Discussion of Ideas worksheet (2 pages directing students in whole-class discussion brainstorming session on essay topic, preparing to write an essay)
✳️ Group Essay: Thesis Statements lesson and worksheets (3 pages guiding students through developing a thesis statement for the group essay)
✳️ Group Essay: Organizing Ideas into Paragraphs lesson and worksheets (5-page lesson and step-by-step instructions developing topic sentences and details for 3 supporting body paragraphs)
✳️ Group Essay: Introduction (2 pages; writing an introductory paragraph for their essay)
✳️ Group Essay: Conclusion (2 pages; developing a concluding paragraph for their essay)
✳️ Peer-Editing Instructions handout
✳️ Evaluating Essays Peer-Editing Checklist
✴️ Teacher Notes & Instructions
✴️ Sample Teaching Agenda (approximately 7-day unit)
Includes both PRINTABLE and DIGITAL VERSIONS for Distance Learning and In-Person Classrooms.