Writing to Explain
Aligned to W.3.2 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
An explaining text teaches about a topic. Start with what it is, add facts and details, and finish with a closing sentence.
Worked examples
Example 1
To explain dogs, you might write 'Dogs are pets,' then add they bark, wag their tails, and need walks, and end with why people love them.
Example 2
To explain earthquakes, open with what they are, add that plates shift, add that the shaking spreads in waves, and close with how people prepare.
Example 3
Group your facts. All the 'what it is' sentences together, then all the 'why it happens' ones — not shuffled.
Practice questions
- Pick a topic and write one sentence that tells what it is.
- Add two facts that teach the reader something.
- Write a closing sentence that wraps up your topic.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Escribir para Explicar
Un texto que explica enseña sobre un tema. Empieza diciendo qué es, agrega datos y detalles, y termina con una oración de cierre.
Ejemplo 1: Para explicar a los perros, podrías escribir 'Los perros son mascotas', luego agregar que ladran, mueven la cola y necesitan paseos, y terminar con por qué la gente los quiere.
Ejemplo 2: Para explicar los terremotos, abre con qué son, agrega que las placas se mueven, agrega que el temblor se propaga en ondas y cierra con cómo se prepara la gente.
Ejemplo 3: Agrupa tus datos. Todas las oraciones de 'qué es' juntas, y luego todas las de 'por qué pasa' — no revueltas.
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