Lesson Plan
3-Paragraph Pro Lesson Plan
Students will plan and draft a cohesive three-paragraph essay by crafting clear topic sentences, supporting details, and a concluding statement, demonstrating structural understanding and writing fluency.
Mastering essay structure builds foundational writing skills, boosts confidence, and supports success across subjects. Targeted scaffolds ensure all learners can organize and express their ideas clearly.
Audience
6th Grade Special Education Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Scaffolded modeling, guided practice, and independent writing.
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck
- Print copies of Three-Paragraph Planning Worksheet
- Print copies of Essay Writing Warm-Up Handout
- Organize Discussion Prompt Cards
Step 1
Warm-Up Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute Essay Writing Warm-Up Handout
- Students brainstorm and list three interesting facts about a familiar topic
- Model brainstorming using slide examples from Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck
Step 2
Discussion & Modeling
10 minutes
- Present essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion) on Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck
- Use Discussion Prompt Cards to elicit ideas for strong topic sentences
- Model completing one section on Three-Paragraph Planning Worksheet
Step 3
Guided Writing Practice
20 minutes
- Students pair up to fill out Three-Paragraph Planning Worksheet
- Teacher circulates, prompts clear topic sentences and supporting details
- Reference sentence starters on Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck
Step 4
Independent Writing & Practice
15 minutes
- Students write their three-paragraph essays using their planning worksheets
- Encourage self-check with checklist from Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck
- Offer accommodations or one-on-one support as needed
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share a sentence or brief excerpt
- Facilitate discussion on successes and challenges
- Collect planning worksheets and essays for feedback
Slide Deck
How to Write a 3-Paragraph Essay
Welcome, writers! Today we will learn how to plan and write a clear three-paragraph essay:
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
Let’s get started!
Introduce the lesson and set expectations. Encourage student participation by asking what they know about essays.
Essay Structure
- Introduction Paragraph – Introduces topic and main idea
- Body Paragraph – Gives supporting details
- Conclusion Paragraph – Wraps up and restates the main idea
Explain the three main parts. Use a diagram to show how they connect.
Introduction Paragraph
• Topic Sentence: States your main idea
• Supporting Detail: One fact or example
• Transition: Leads into the body paragraph
Example:
“Dogs make great pets because they are loyal companions.”
Model writing a topic sentence. Ask students to suggest a topic they like.
Body Paragraph
• Topic Sentence: Restate main idea differently
• Detail #1: First supporting fact or example
• Detail #2: Second supporting fact or example
Example:
“First, dogs protect their owners. Second, they can learn tricks.”
Highlight use of two or three supporting details. Show example on board.
Conclusion Paragraph
• Restated Main Idea: Say your topic sentence a new way
• Closing Thought: Final comment or call to action
Example:
“In conclusion, dogs are wonderful pets that bring joy and security.”
Emphasize restating the topic sentence and closing thought.
Sentence Starters
Introduction:
• “My favorite topic is…”
• “I want to tell you about…”
Body:
• “First, …”
• “In addition, …”
Conclusion:
• “In conclusion, …”
• “Overall, …”
Review these starters and encourage students to pick ones that fit their topic.
Using the Planning Worksheet
- Write your topic at the top.
- Fill in three facts or ideas for brainstorming.
- Choose a topic sentence for each paragraph.
- Add supporting details.
- Draft your conclusion idea.
Show students how to use the worksheet. Project a blank example worksheet and fill one section live.
Self-Check Checklist
Before you write, check:
☐ Do I have 3 paragraphs?
☐ Does each paragraph have a topic sentence?
☐ Are there supporting details in each paragraph?
☐ Did I restate my main idea in the conclusion?
☐ Did I use capital letters and end punctuation?
Walk through each checklist item. Remind students to self-check before writing.
Now It’s Your Turn!
• Use your planning worksheet to draft your essay.
• Refer to sentence starters and checklist.
• Write at your own pace – you have 15 minutes!
Let’s begin writing.
Transition students to independent writing. Circulate and assist as needed.
Wrap-Up & Reflection
• Who would like to share their topic sentence?
• What was easy? What was hard?
• Remember: Practice makes perfect! Keep writing.
Facilitate reflection. Ask volunteers to share one sentence. Praise effort and highlight strong examples.
Worksheet
Three-Paragraph Planning Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: ________________
1. Essay Topic
What is your topic? Write one sentence that tells your main idea:
2. Brainstorming
List three facts or details about your topic:
3. Introduction Paragraph
a) Topic Sentence:
b) Supporting Detail:
c) Transition to Body Paragraph:
4. Body Paragraph
a) Topic Sentence:
b) Detail #1:
c) Detail #2:
5. Conclusion Paragraph
a) Restated Main Idea:
b) Closing Thought:
6. Self-Check Checklist
☐ I wrote three paragraphs.
☐ Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.
☐ I included supporting details in each paragraph.
☐ I restated my main idea in the conclusion.
☐ I used capital letters and end punctuation.
Need ideas? Check the sentence starters on the Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck.
Warm Up
Essay Writing Warm-Up Handout
Name: _________________________ Date: ________________
1. Choose Your Topic
What topic would you like to write about today? Think of something you know well or enjoy.
2. Brainstorm: Quick Ideas
List three single words or short phrases that come to mind when you think of your topic.
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
3. Fast Facts
Write three facts or reasons why your topic is interesting.
4. One-Sentence Summary
Pick one fact above and write a sentence that explains why your topic is interesting.
Discussion
Discussion Prompt Cards
Use these cards in pairs or small groups. Take turns reading a card aloud, discuss with your partner(s), and be ready to share your ideas.
Card 1: What Makes a Strong Topic Sentence?
• Think of two topic sentences about your favorite animal.
• Which one is stronger? Why?
Follow-Up: How does the topic sentence let the reader know what the paragraph will be about?
Card 2: Supporting Details
• Choose a topic (e.g., “playing soccer”).
• Brainstorm two facts or examples that support why soccer is fun.
Follow-Up: How do these details help prove your main idea?
Card 3: Using Transitions
• Look at these transition words: “First, …,” “Next, …,” “Finally, …”
• Pick one and write a sentence that leads from your introduction to your body paragraph.
Follow-Up: Why is the transition word important?
Card 4: Restating the Main Idea
• Here is an example conclusion:
“In conclusion, books are great because they teach us new things.”
• Restate this main idea in a new way.
Follow-Up: What closing thought could you add?
Card 5: Picking Sentence Starters
• Use the Three-Paragraph Essay Slide Deck to review sentence starters.
• Choose one starter for each paragraph type (intro, body, conclusion).
Follow-Up: How does each starter help your reader?
Card 6: Self-Check Detective
• Swap essays with a partner.
• Use the Self-Check Checklist on the Slide Deck or your Planning Worksheet.
• Find one thing your partner did well and one thing they can improve.
Follow-Up: How can feedback make your writing stronger?