Writing – My Electronic Gadget

Cut out and arrange the sentences in the correct order using the paragraph template. Once you’re
satisfied with the order, glue them down and color-code as follows: yellow=topic sentence,
blue=supporting sentences (each telling an event in the incident), green=detail sentences, and
red=concluding sentence. Warning: One sentence doesn’t belong!

No matter how hard I grip it, the Another feature is the colorful,
striking neon green handle doesn’t ergonomically-friendly design.
make my hand tired.

Having a brilliant, toothy grin gets you I just got a new electric toothbrush
a lot of dates. with a ton of amazing features.

One thing it has is an internal timer That’s why I like my electric

that tells you when you can stop toothbrush even more than my iPod.
brushing.

My cell phone has unlimited calling I used to have to keep track of the time
after nine o’clock, but that’s my by singing Yankee Doodle three times
bedtime. through.

The best thing, though, is that it does a

great job of cleaning my teeth.

Your Turn
What’s your favorite gadget? Use the paragraph formula and template to write your own descriptive
paragraph telling about an electronic device of yours—an mp3 player, a cell phone, a camera, or
some other electronic device, either real or imaginary. Write one complete sentence in each box. Don’t
forget those vibrant details! Color-code, edit, revise, and then draft your final copy.

Teachers, do you like this activity? It’s based on Super Sentences & Perfect Paragraphs by Mack Lewis (2009,
Scholastic Professional Books). Find out more at www.mackowiecki.com

© 2010 Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. www.EZSubPlans.com -- Page 1 of 3

Paragraph Template Name: ________________________ Date: ______________
Add more detail
sentences by
drawing additional
boxes!

© 2010 Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. www.EZSubPlans.com -- Page 2 of 3

 “Electronic Gadget” Writing Activity
Thanks for downloading this sample activity from
EZSubPlans, the easiest and most efficient way to prepare
for a sub. This activity is from EZSubPlans 5.1. It gives
intermediate level students daily writing practice using a
strategy from Super Sentences and Perfect Paragraphs
(2009, Scholastic). Here are the detailed lesson plan notes
from EZSubPlans 5.1:
Writing (60-75 minutes): Electronic Gadget Paragraph—
Give students 15 to 20 minutes to unscramble the paragraph
following the instructions on the sheet. Spend about 10
minutes reviewing the appropriate order, discussing why each
sentence fits where it does. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for
students to draft their own paragraph using a second copy of
the template. Write one sentence per box, using the same
“formula” as the scramble. Share rough drafts aloud, and then
allow time to color-code, edit, and revise, one box at a time, completing a final draft on notebook
paper. Prep: print class sets of paragraph scramble (pg 13), and two class sets of template (pg 14).

Answer Key: I just got a new electric toothbrush with a ton of amazing features. One thing it has is an
internal timer that tells you when you can stop brushing. I used to have to keep track of the time by
singing Yankee Doodle three times through. Another feature is the colorful, ergonomically-friendly
design. No matter how hard I grip it, the striking neon green handle doesn’t make my hand tired. The
best thing, though, is that it does a great job of cleaning my teeth. Having a brilliant, toothy grin gets
you a lot of dates. That’s why I like my electric toothbrush even more than my iPod.
Copyright: The original purchaser or designated representative is licensed to reproduce one class set
of this material per year for use within the original purchaser’s
classroom assignment(s). For more on copyright, including
how it applies to substitute teachers, please visit our website at
www.mackowiecki.com. We sincerely appreciate and thank
you for respecting our copyright.
About the Authors: Textile artist Cathleen S. Lewis has been
both a classroom teacher and a professional substitute since
earning her teaching credential in 1994. Scholastic playwright
and National Board Certified teacher Mack Lewis has been
teaching full-time since 1993.
Please visit our website at www.EZSubPlans.com to leave
feedback, find support material, and take a gander at our other
products. Because we’re teachers, everything we create is kid-
tested and used in our own classrooms, including everything
from our EZSubPlans packages. With EZSubPlans there’s no
need to panic. Just click, print, and relax!

© 2010 Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. www.EZSubPlans.com -- Page 3 of 3