Writing Informational Text Mini Lesson

Amber Patko
ELD 308
Informational Text: Writing Mini-Lesson
Grade: 5th
Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.B
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other
information and examples related to the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,

and research.
Objective: By the end of this lesson, students should be able to use evidence-based
terms in order to show evidence from informational text in a piece of writing.
Materials: Who Was Walt Disney? By Whitney Stewart and quotes to project for
students to see; marker/white board; chart with evidence-based terms (according
to, because, for example, for instance, on page __ it says __, the author of __ stated __,
and from reading __ I know that __).
Procedure:
1. Introduction/Objective:
Boys and girls, we have been working on writing informative writings for
the past couple of days. Today we will continue with this by practicing
something very important. When writing informational text, it is necessary
that we use facts and examples so that we are presenting our reader with
information. However, we cannot simply make claims and state facts about
our topic. We must give evidence to support our claims, and show that we
know what we are talking about, and how we know. Today we will learn how
we can back up what we are writing about with evidence!
2. Teach and Model
When we are writing, and we decide to state a fact or something that we
know or learned from an informational text we read, we need to back our
claim up with evidence from the text or place we learned it from. We can do
this by referring to the source of information. I will show you an example
using Who Was Walt Disney, the biography we just finished reading. When it
is talking about Snow White being made, there is a quote on page 68 that
says, In 1933 he decided to make a full-length animated film. Up until then,
cartoons were short. (Have quote projected for students to see). If I am
writing an essay about Walt Disney I should not simply say, Snow White was
the first full-length animated film (write this on the board). This is a pretty
big fact, and the reader might wonder how I know that information. So to
make the sentence better, I should say something like Snow White was the
first full-length animated filmaccording to the book Who Was Walt
Disney? all cartoons were short before this movie (write down). I am not
simply listing a factI am letting the audience know why I know what I
know. In this case the term I used to give my evidence was According to
There are many different terms that we can use when we are showing
evidence in our writing. I made us a chart that we can refer to for these
terms (hang up chart paper with termssee attached). We can use
because to explain why something is true. We can use for example and
for instance to provide details or an example from a source to support what
we are saying. And just like I used according to, we can use these final
three terms to refer to a specific part of a source to give evidence.
3. Guided Practice
Now that you have seen an example of how to give evidence when writing
informational text, we are going to do an example as a class. Using the
following quote about Mickey Mouse from page 46 of Who Was Walt Disney,
we are going to write a sentence that shows evidence.
o He was skinny with stick legs, a long tail, and a sharp face. He didnt
look that much like the Mickey Mouse everyone knows today. He also
wasnt as nice. Early cartoons starring Mickey Mouse often show him
playing mean tricks on other characters.
How might we write about what Mickey Mouse was originally like? Can we
just say, Mickey Mouse was a lot different when Walt Disney first drew
him? Why/why not? (There is no evidence). Thats rightthe reader will
wonder why and how Mickey used to be different. How might we say this
with evidence? Remember the list of terms we went over! (Mickey Mouse
was a lot different when Walt Disney first drew him. For example, his face
was sharp, and he had stick thin legs). Very good! Another way we can show
evidence in this case would be to find a picture of what Mickey used to look
like! This would help the reader to visualize what you are saying.
4. Independent Practice
Now it is time for you to try an example on your own! The quote you will
use is on page 91 of Who Was Walt Disney, and it talks about opening day of
Disneyland. (Have quote projected).
o Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. Just four
days earlier he and Lillian had their thirteenth wedding anniversary.
Opening day did not go smoothly. Crowds stood in line in one hundred
degree heat. Some of the rides werent working. The train didnt lead
anywhereit came to a dead end. There were not enough trashcans
or water fountains. But Walt had things fixed right away. Soon the
place was spotless. Everyone who worked there was polite and
cheerful.
In your writers notebooks I want you to write a sentence or two about the
beginning of Disneyland, using evidence from this quote. Remember to look
to our chart of terms! Try to use a term we havent used as a class if you can.
I will give you a few minutes, and then we will come back together and share
ideas. (Give students time to write their passage).
5. Assessment
Students will be assessed based on their responses during the discussion. If
students remain engaged and are answering questions I ask correctly, I will
know that they understand the concept I taught. After their independent
practice I will give students time to share what they wrote downif
students responses include evidence and use a term that we went over, I will
know that they correctly learned what I intended.
6. Closing
Okay everyone; lets come back together as a class. Does anyone want to
share what they wrote down for their evidence-filled statement? (Allow
students to share their ideas, praising them for their good work). Why is it
important to include evidence when we are writing informational text? What
are some ways we can introduce evidence in our writing? Great jobI am
going to hang up this chart of terms, and when you are writing, look to this
chart when you want to support your writing with some evidence!
WHAT EVIDENCE-BASED TERMS CHART WILL LOOK LIKE:
Lets Use Some

Evidence!
Terms to use to provide evidence
According to
_________ because
For example
For instance
On page __ of ____ it says
The author of ______ stated
From reading ______, I know
that

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Amber Patko

Informational Text: Writing Mini-Lesson

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,

WHAT EVIDENCE-BASED TERMS CHART WILL LOOK LIKE:

Lets Use Some

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