Mini Lesson: What Types of Leads Are Most Likely To Hook A Reader?

Lesson 11: Writing a Lead b
Essential Question Materials

What types of leads are most likely to hook a reader? mentor text
lead anchor chart
Mini Lesson
Read the lesson 11 mentor text to students or have them read it with partners.
“Today I want to really focus on the lead and introduction. Authors spend a lot of time writing their
lead. Why is it important to write a good lead for your story?”
Reread the first paragraph of the mentor text. “How does this author begin their essay?” (a
question with an interesting fact)
“Besides an interesting lead, what else does the author include in her introduction?” (a strong
opinion statement)
“One thing that the author did NOT include was her entire list of reasons. The reasons are the
body of the essay and you want to keep them a secret in the introduction. She just hints at them
to keep her readers interested!”
Go over the anchor chart with students. (They can put the student printable version in their
notebook for reference.) Model how you would write your lead and introduction. Write on the
board or chart paper. Think out loud as you write. You can use your own topic or use my
example.
Example:
As soon as I jump on my bike and pedal out of my garage, I feel an immediate sense of freedom
and excitement. However, as I look around, I don’t see any other kids out riding their bikes with
me. Where is everyone? Inside playing video
Not So games,
Wimpy Teacherwatching tv, or being taxied around town in
strikes again!
cars? Clearly, children need to spend more time outside riding their bikes.
Work Time
Students will write a few possible leads for the essay that they drafted. Once they have chosen
an interesting lead, students should revise their introduction to include the strong opinion
statement and remove their reasons.
Closing
Students will share their lead with their partner.
Intervention Extension
Rather than asking for a list of possible leads, Encourage students to write a question, a fact
encourage these students to come up with two and a short story lead before choosing one to
possible leads. Generally, the question is the use in their essay.
easier lead.
Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

Lesson 12: Consider Your Audience b
How can writers support their opinion? mentor text
audience anchor chart
Mini Lesson
“What is the author’s opinion in this piece? Who do you think the author's audience might be? The
types of reasons that we use depend on the audience that we are writing to.”
Fill out the anchor chart together.

Opinion Adult Child
Opinion: A later start time would help your Starting school later would give us more
Our school needs child be more alert in class so they time to sleep in.
a later start time. can receive better grades.
Opinion: Specializing in one sport at an early If you specialize in one sport, you will likely
Children should be age increases your child’s risk of burnout and may want to quit that sport
well-rounded and injuries from overuse of a specific altogether.
not specialize in muscle.
one sport.
“Take a moment to think about your essay. Who is your audience? A parent? A teacher? A
friend? Classmates? Turn and tell your partner who your audience is.”
“Now think about the reasons that you used in your essay. Are the reasons you chose a good fit
for your audience?”
Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!
Work Time
Students will revise any of their reasons that are not a good fit for their audience. They can cross
a reason out and add another if necessary.
Closing
Tell your partner why it is important to consider your audience.
Highlight any reasons that might not be a good
fit for the student’s audience.

Lesson 13: Consider opposing opinions
How can writers support their opinion? mentor text
opposing opinions anchor chart
Mini Lesson
“What is the author’s opinion in this piece? Who do you think the author's audience might be and
why?”
Reread paragraph five.
“Do you notice anything different about this reason? The author mentioned the opposing, or
opposite view. Then she argued why that view was wrong. That makes her reason even
stronger!”
Complete the anchor chart together.

Opinion Opposing Opinion Reason
Our cafeteria Chick-fil-A is a fast food and Some people argue that Chick-fil-A is just fast
needs to serve not healthy for kids. food and not healthy. However, Chick-fil-A offers
Chick-fil-A for some healthier, grilled chicken options.
lunch.
Our family should Vacations are too expensive. I can hear you saying, “A vacation is too
take a camping expensive!” Well it doesn’t have to be! We can
vacation to bring our own food so that we don’t have to eat
Yellowstone Not So Wimpy Teacherout.
strikes again!
Plus, there is so much to do that is free or
National Park. cheap, like hiking or visiting the park’s museums.
Work Time
Students will edit a reason or add a reason that takes the opposing opinion into consideration.
Closing
Students will share with their partner how they revised a reason to consider the opposing opinion.
Ask guiding questions to get students thinking
about the opposing opinions. ”Why wouldn’t
someone want to...”

Lesson 14: Support Your reasons With Examples
Essential Question
How can writers support their opinion?
b Materials
mentor text
reasons anchor chart from lesson 8
Mini Lesson
Read the lesson 14 mentor text to students or have them read it with partners. Choose one of the
reason paragraphs to reread.
“I love how the author doesn’t just tell us the reason and move on. They included examples to
make the reason even stronger.”
Complete the anchor chart together.
My Opinion: Children need to spend more time outside riding their bikes.
Reason #1: Example #1:
Riding a bike is a great You will strengthen your lower-body muscles while riding a bike.
way to exercise and
stay active.
Riding a bike is good for Riding. A bike reduces the carbon emissions in the air.
the environment.
Bike riding is fun and Many cities have parks that include ramps specifically made for riding a bike.
great entertainment. You can learn all kinds of tricks and jumps.
Work Time
Students will revise their essay to include at least one example for each reason.
Closing
Share with your partner one example that you added to your writing.
Help students to rehearse their examples Encourage these students to include multiple
before putting them into their writing. It might examples whenever possible.
also be helpful to put a star where the student
should insert the example.

Lesson 15: Paragraphs b
How do writers organize their thoughts into paragraphs? mentor text
anchor chart & student printable from lesson 14
Mini Lesson
Give students a copy of lesson 15 mentor text or display it on the board so that they
can see it. Read the text together.
“Why does the author have blank lines between text?”
“Writing is broken into smaller chunks, called paragraphs, to give readers a chance
to pause and keep the piece organized. Let’s go through this piece and label the
paragraphs.” (introduction, reason and example 1, reason and example 2, reason
and example 3 and conclusion)
Go back to the anchor chart from lesson 14 and have students add the introduction,
conclusion and paragraph numbers to the chart.
Show students the paragraph editing sign so that they can use it when editing their
masterpieces.

Work Time
Students will go back through their masterpiece and determine where they need to change
paragraphs. They will insert the paragraph sign where needed. I suggest giving them color pens so
that the signs don’t get lost in their writing. If they are doing this on the computer, they can just add
the paragraph break.
Closing
Students will teach their partner what a paragraph is and when they need a new paragraph in
opinion essays.
Have students verbally explain what will go into
each of their paragraphs before they start
writing.

Ban Bottom Trawling
Day 11: Writing a Lead
Do you know what bottom trawling is? Bottom trawling is a destructive way to fish in
the ocean. Big boats bottom trawl by dragging big nets with weights on the bottoms
across the floor of the ocean. By doing this, they catch lots of fish. However, this is a
dangerous practice for our oceans.NotBottom trawling needs to be banned.
So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!
This isn't like using a fishing rod to catch a tuna. The big net catches everything, even
though you might only want one or two types of fish. According to the Marine
Conservation Institute, lots of other fish and other creatures, like dolphins and turtles,
can get stuck in the net. Most of them end up dying or injured. Some of the endangered
species are even accidently caught.
Overfishing becomes a problem that is caused by bottom trawling. Boats catch some
species so quickly, that they have a difficult time repopulating. One kind of fish that the
nets like to catch is cod. It used to be the biggest fish to catch off the East Coast of
the United States. Now, it’s hard to even find one. One boat bottom trawler just catches
too many fish. They can’t recover and repopulate. If you consider these instances, they
could all be gone in a few decades.
Bottom trawling also digs up the whole sea floor. Sediment from the seabed gets stirred
up and displaced. Small creatures and plants that live on the bottom are destroyed. For
example, corals that are in danger and may be a hundred years old are just smashed and
can’t survive. There are no plants, no small fish, and no big fish left. It is a barren
wasteland.
The ocean is an amazing habitat that is filled with beautiful creatures. It is also a great
source of healthy food. However, it is fragile, and we are destroying it with bottom
trawling. We should ban bottom trawling and make boats use rods and reels to catch
fish. If we don’t, the ocean floor and the fish population will be gone forever. Write to
your representatives today!
Not So Wimpy Teacher

I Need a New Bike
Day 12: Consider Your Audience
Have you noticed my bike hanging on its rack in the garage lately? Have you witnessed the faded
color of the paint, the rust around the wheels, or the worn-down handlebars? Let’s acknowledge
that it’s time for me to get a new bike!
One reason why I need a different bike is because mine is getting too small for me. I got that
bike when I was six years old and seven inches shorter than I am now. When I was six, the pedals
were just the right length for my legs, and my arms reached the handlebars at the perfect angle.
I took it down the other day and jumped on, only to find that my knees reached my chest and
that my elbows hung awkwardly. When I raised the seat as high as it would go, my legs were still
too long, and I had to hunch over. On ibike.org, I read that kids ages 7-11 usually need a wheel
diameter of 20 inches. I measured the diameters of my wheels, and they’re 18 inches. Clearly, my
bike is not an adequate size for me! Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!
Also, my bike is extremely outdated. When I got the bike, it had already been used by my brother
and our neighbor, making it ancient by now! My bike is very heavy, which slows it down, compared
to new bikes I’ve seen that are practically as light as feathers. My friend Max got a new bike last
summer, and it has eight gears! Did you know that I only have one gear on my bike? When I go
up and down hills, I always lag far behind my friends and have to work twice as hard to get
moving. Newer bikes also have cool features, like built-in water bottle holders (to keep me
hydrated). They also come in bright colors that can be better seen by drivers from far away. In
effect, a new bike will keep me safer, too!
If I had a new bike, I would use it a lot more often. I know you’ll ask when the last time I rode
my bike was, and the answer is last fall. That’s only because my bike doesn’t work for me
anymore, but if I had a new bike, I would be outside every chance I could get. All of my friends
in the neighborhood have bikes, and I’d be out riding with them more often if I could keep up. I’d
love to ride a new bike up and down the ramps at the bike park, too, and I could invite the whole
family to enjoy the fun. I would be getting more exercise, getting more fresh air, and spending
less time watching a screen. It sounds like a healthy choice to get a new bike!
Whether it’s for my birthday, Christmas, or just because I’m an amazing kid, I’ll be waiting for
the day I can ride my new bike!

The Theater Is the Best Place to Watch
a Movie
Day 13: Consider Opposing Opinions
There’s nowhere better to watch a newly released movie than the movie theater. No matter how
hard you try, watching a movie at home will never be as much fun as seeing the movie in a
theater.
The movie theater is the most comfortable place to watch a movie. They have the soft reclining
leather seats that are so much better than sitting on our old couch at home. It’s so much more
relaxing than being at home with my little brother bothering me and running around. I can’t even
pay attention to the movie there. The theater is very dark. That makes it so that all you can see
is the movie. At home, I can see the mess of the house, and a movie doesn’t seem as real when
the mess is visible. The movie theater helps you get into the story better than home viewing.
Candy, popcorn, soft pretzels, and nachos...there’s no better place to snack than the movie
theater. Where else can you get super buttery hot popcorn? Not at home! My favorite
combination is buttered popcorn, a sweet chocolate candy bar, and a big soda. The portion sizes
are huge! It fills you up better than dinner at a restaurant. My mom likes to get the nachos with
cheese, and she doesn’t even need to make it herself. The movies are the best snacking
destination.
The best part of watching a movie at the theater is the huge movie screen. You can see details
of every character and all the action. I am the most excited when starships zip across the
screen. The audio is better, as well. The sound effects are far superior than the soft sounds
from my television at home. The booming noises makes it more realistic. You really feel like you’re
in the action of the movie.
You might be thinking that a movie theater is too expensive. It is true that tickets and snacks can
be a bit pricey. That being said, it is still a family activity that is less expensive than an
amusement park or a nice restaurant.
Going to the movies is better than sitting on your old familiar couch. You have an ultra
comfortable seat in a huge dark theater. The screen size and that sound make an amazing
sensory experience. Also, there is basically an Teacher
Not So Wimpy unlimited selection
strikes again! of snacks and candy. Let’s go to
the movie theater!
We Need More Biography Books!
Day 14: Support Your Reasons With Examples
Yesterday while my class was in the school library checking out books, I noticed three different
classmates with unsatisfied expressions on their faces. When I asked each student what was wrong,
they all replied that they couldn’t find good books. I also noticed that there were only three shelves of
books in biographies, my favorite genre. Every other nonfiction genre had more than three shelves! I
surveyed my class. Ninety percent of the class agreed that they would be happier if we had more
biography books in our school library!
First of all, biography books teach us about history. I once read a biography of George Washington and
learned more about United States history than I did in our school textbook! There are biographies
about people who lived in all eras of history and all countries of the world. Imagine what you could
learn while reading the biographies of Anne Frank and Martin Luther King, Jr.! Don’t you want the
students at our school to learn more about history?
Additionally, biographies give kids role models to look up to. For example, I read a book called The Boy
Who Never Gave Up, a biography about basketball player Stephen Curry. This book inspired me to not
give up baseball after a horrible game in which I struck out three times. I kept trying, and during the
next game, I hit a home run! It was all because of a biography! I have seen plenty of biographies about
inspirational people, such as Albert Einstein, Barack Obama, Jane Goodall, and Amelia Earhart. Kids at
our school can be inspired to be their best if we get more biographies.
There are plenty of biography books out there to choose from, and they are not very expensive. I
searched for biographies for children on Amazon and found 75 pages of results! The books averaged
about $10 each, including many hardcovers. At this price, we could add 100 more biographies for $1,000.
We could raise this money by having a school carnival. We could sell tickets for games and ask local
restaurants to donate food to sell!
Lastly, we have space in the school library to add more biographies. Right near the biography section,
there are three EMPTY shelves. If we rearranged the sections a little and dedicated these three rows
to biographies, we would double our biography section! Since we already know that there are plenty of
books in the other nonfiction genres, it wouldn’t hurt to use this extra space for such interesting and
informative books.
More biographies would be an excellent addition to our school library. I hope I’ve convinced you to help
raise money to add valuable resources to this important section of books.

Have Your Best Party at the Roller Rink
Day 15: Organize Writing Into Paragraphs
There are many places to have your birthday party. Some kids like having their parties at
parks, and some like having their parties at bowling allies. I have a better place. The skating
rink is the number one place to party on your special day, and here’s why.
First of all, it’s indoors. You don’t have to worry about rain, sleet, or snow ruining your party.
We all know how annoying a canceled party can be. It’s upsetting to you and your friends.
You’re waiting all that time to have a good time with your buddies, and at the very last
minute, it downpours and ruins everything. Plus, your parents get all cranky because they
have to plan another day to have your party. Then some kids can’t go because it’s on
another day, and you miss out on all those presents. That won’t happen at the skating rink.
There’s no time to sit and be bored. The music just gets in your bones, and you can’t stop
rolling around. You can skate the whole party...as long as your legs will hold up. Who doesn’t
love exercising to music? If you didn’t know, roller skating is exercising. Yes! That means that
you can eat more cake, candy, and pizza at the party. Your parents can’t complain because
you’re exercising and partying at the same time. How fun and healthy is that? Do you hear
that, parents? It is healthy, too.
Have you seen a roller skating rink lately? They’re not just roller skating rinks; they’re
EVERYTHING rinks. They have bounce houses, like giant castles, ladybugs, and super long
slides. They have obstacle courses, too. Some of the obstacle courses have rope ladders,
rock walls, and two-way mirrors. I always get stuck on the rope ladders, and my dad has to
rescue me. It’s embarrassing, but I still have fun. You can’t forget the food! The roller rink
makes the food for you, so you don’t have to go anywhere or order out. They can make
anything you want. I always get hot dogs and pizza, but the mozzarella sticks are good, too.
One more thing...some of these roller rinks have video games. You can earn tickets and get
prizes on these games. This is fun for those who don’t like skating.
Have your party at the roller rink. You won’t regret it. It’s a fun-filled day in one building
that’s waterproof and boredom Not So Wimpy
proof. You’llTeacher
have strikes again!of your life.
the time

Lead & Introduction
Lead Opinion No
Hook readers with You need a strong and Reasons
something interesting. clear opinion Save them for the
statement. body of your essay!
story If you give too much
fact We need… of your argument
question Students must… away in the
sound Everyone should… introduction, they
quote We have to… have no reason to
keep reading.
Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 11 & 30
Consider your Audience
Who are you writing to?
Who are you trying to convince?
Opinion Audience: Audience:
Adult Friend
Our school needs a later
start time.
Children should be well-

rounded and not specialize in
one sport.

Consider your Audience
Adult Friend
Our school needs a later A later start time would help your Starting school later would give us
start time. child be more alert in class so they more time to sleep in.
can receive better grades.
Children should be well- Specializing in one sport at an early If you specialize in one sport, you
rounded and not specialize in age increases your child’s risk of will likely burnout and may want to
one sport. injuries from overuse of a specific quit that sport altogether.
muscle.

Opposing Opinion
Who would disagree with your opinion? Why? How
can you argue that they are wrong?
Opinion Opposing Reason
Opinion
Our cafeteria needs to
serve Chick-fil-A for
lunch.
Our family should take

a camping vacation to
Yellowstone National
Park.
Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 13 & 31.

Opposing Opinion
Who would disagree with your opinion? Why? How
can you argue that they are wrong?
Opinion
Our cafeteria needs to Chick-fil-A is a fast food Some people argue that Chick-fil-A is just fast food
serve Chick-fil-A for and not healthy for kids. and not healthy. However, Chick-fil-A offers some
lunch. healthier, grilled chicken options.
Our family should take Vacations are too expensive. I can hear you saying, “A vacation is too expensive!”
a camping vacation to Well it doesn’t have to be! We can bring our own
Yellowstone National food so that we don’t have to eat out. Plus, there is
Park. so much to do that is free or cheap, like hiking or
visiting the park’s museums.
Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 13 & 31.
Lead and
Introduction
Lead Opinion No
Reasons
Lesson 11 & 30
Consider Your
Audience
Adult Friend
Our school
needs a later
start time.
Children should
be well-
rounded and
not specialize
in one sport.
Lesson 12 & 31
Opposing
Audience
Who would disagree with your opinion? Why?
How can you argue that they are wrong?
Opinion
Our cafeteria
needs to
serve Chick-
fil-A for
lunch.
Our family
should take a
camping
vacation to
Yellowstone
National Park.
Lesson 13 & 31

Mini Lesson: What Types of Leads Are Most Likely To Hook A Reader?

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Lesson 11: Writing a Lead b

Essential Question Materials

Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

Fill out the anchor chart together.

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

Reread paragraph five.

Complete the anchor chart together.

Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

Complete the anchor chart together.

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

“Why does the author have blank lines between text?”

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Not So Wimpy Teacher, LLC

Not So Wimpy Teacher

Not So Wimpy Teacher

Not So Wimpy Teacher

Not So Wimpy Teacher

Children should be well-

Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 12 & 31

Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 12 & 31

Our family should take

Not So Wimpy Teacher: Lesson 13 & 31.

Not So Wimpy Teacher

Not So Wimpy Teacher

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