NO PREP!

Scrambled
Paragraph
Writing Activity

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Common Core State Standards
this lesson supports:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3-5.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3-5.2a
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3-5.2b
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3-5.2c
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3-5.2d
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4-5.2e
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3-5.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3-5.5
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3-5.8

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 Here is what students need to know
about writing an organized paragraph:

1. Titles are underlined. The important words are capitalized. Titles are not writ-
ten using sentence format. Titles tell the main idea.

2. Every paragraph has a purpose: to inform, to entertain, to persuade, etc.

3. A scrambled paragraph is built from three details. Each detail is explained in a

sentence pair. The first sentence in each pair provides general information.
The second sentence in each pair provides additional, more specific details.

4. Once the three sentence pairs are in place (six sentences, all to-
gether) the topic sentence and clincher are added. These sentences
should relate to each other, but not be repetitious.

5. The topic sentence introduces the paragraph and needs to contain

a general statement, not specific details.

6. The clincher, or closing sentence, needs to end the paragraph is a

satisfying way.

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 It’s easy to use this packet!

1. Using the student handout before this one, review the basic structure of an
organized paragraph with the students.

2. Hand out a scrambled paragraph for the students to cut apart.

3. Remind students to begin by finding the three sentence pairs and then se-
quencing those pairs using transitions and other inferential word clues.

4. Next, students should decide which of the two remaining sentences is the
topic sentence and which is the clincher.

5. Once the paragraph is correctly organized, hand out the Cut ‘n”
Paste Scrambled Paragraph Answer Sheet. Students will glue the
nine paragraph parts onto the sheet in the correct order.

6. After each lesson it’s important to hand out a copy of the com-
pleted paragraph written in a publishable format. This helps students
understand that the sentences in an actual; paragraph are strung to-
gether without numbers and unnecessary spaces.

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Cut 'n' Paste Scrambled Paragraph Freebie

Directions: Cut out the parts of the paragraph.

Sort the strips so they form a logical, organized Nuts First, I made flyers
and Bolts Paragraph. Glue each part of the paragraph describing my service and prices.
into the correct location on the answer sheet.

Last summer I started

My Own Business
a dog-washing business.

I’ve been in business almost a year Skipper’s owner thought I did such a
and I’m busier than ever. great job that he told all his friends.

Every Saturday, I have about Mom and I delivered them to all the
seven dog-washing appointments. houses in our neighborhood.

A few days later, my neighbor’s collie, I hope to save enough

Skipper, was my first customer. to buy my own pet store, one day!

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Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cut 'n' Paste Scrambled Paragraph Answer Sheet

1. TITLE: describes the whole paragraph

2. TOPIC SENTENCE:
introduces the whole paragraph

3. FIRST DETAIL: 4. MORE ABOUT THE FIRST DETAIL:

first fact or idea stated in a general way adds to first detail with more facts + ideas

5. SECOND DETAIL: 6. MORE ABOUT THE SECOND DETAIL:

second fact or idea stated in a general way adds to second detail with more facts + ideas

7. THIRD DETAIL: 8. MORE ABOUT THE THIRD DETAIL:

third fact or idea stated in a general way adds to third detail with more facts + ideas

9. CLINCHER: summarizing sentence

that wraps up the paragraph

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 Scrambled Paragraph Freebie ANSWER KEY

1. TITLE: describes the whole paragraph.

My Own Business
2. TOPIC SENTENCE: introduces whole paragraph

Last summer I started a

dog-washing business.
3. FIRST DETAIL: first fact or idea stated in a general way 4. MOREABOUT THEFIRST DETAIL: adds to first detail with more facts + ideas

First, I made flyers Mom and I delivered them to all

describing my service and prices. the houses in our neighborhood.
5. SECOND DETAIL: second fact or idea stated in a general way 6. MOREABOUT THESECOND DETAIL: adds to second detail with more facts + ideas

A few days later, my neighbor’s collie, Skipper’s owner thought I did such a
Skipper, was my first customer. great job that he told all his friends.
7. THIRD DETAIL: third fact or idea stated in a general way 8. MOREABOUT THETHIRD DETAIL: adds to third detail with more facts + ideas

I’ve been in business almost a year Every Saturday, I have about

and I’m busier than ever. seven dog-washing appointments.
9. CLINCHER: summarizing sentence that wraps up the paragraph

I hope to save enough

to buy my own pet store, one day!

Lessons4Now © 2013 * All Rights Reserved * Teachers Pay Teachers

 My Own Business

Last summer I started a dog-washing business.

First, I made flyers describing my service and prices.
Mom and I delivered them to all the houses in our
neighborhood. A few days later, my neighbor’s collie,
Skipper, was my first customer. Skipper’s owner
thought I did such a great job that he told all his
friends. I’ve been in business almost a year and I’m
busier than ever. Every Saturday, I have about seven dog-
washing appointments. I hope to save enough to buy my
own pet store, one day!

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 Other products you might like:

► Scrambled Paragraph Writing Activities: Mini Unit

►Scrambled Paragraphs 4-in-1 BUNDLE Activity Packets

Thanks and enjoy!

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