• This activity can be used as a way to see student progress before the unit begins. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.


• The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.


• The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.

• We suggest teachers make sure each student has a designated location (such as a folder) to store papers between lessons.


• Each worksheet in this unit will be used across multiple lessons. These worksheets are labeled as VIPs (Very Important Papers).


• The teacher notes key can be used to help support students who are struggling to take notes or to support students who were absent for a lesson.


• We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• Some students may not be able to finish a draft of a paragraph in one lesson. You may need to build in extra time after this lesson for students to finish drafting. Students will begin drafting their second paragraph in the next lesson.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• Some students may not be able to finish a draft of a paragraph in one lesson. You may need to build in extra time after this lesson for students who need it.

• Teachers can decide how much or how little time to give students for coloring their worksheet. Students can always finish coloring at another time.


• If you intend to allow students to type their final draft and print it out, you may choose to wait and have students color their worksheets after their final drafts have been printed. Digital worksheets are provided as an option in lesson 5.

Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• Decide if you want students to create their final draft on paper or digitally. Students can make a copy of the digital worksheet if they will be typing their final draft.


• This lesson is separated into two parts and can be taught in two different sessions if needed. A natural stopping point is included after students edit, but before they assemble their final draft and add pictures.


• This is a generic editing lesson, and can be reused when students are ready to edit any piece of writing.


• If time does not allow for recopying, students can edit their first draft and assemble their final draft without recopying their writing. If you choose not to have students recopy, no additional printouts are required for this lesson.

• This activity can be used as a way to see student progress after the unit ends. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.


• The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.


• The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.