This is a writing lesson in a combined 3rd and 4th grade class. The lesson focused on using sensory details in writing. During this lesson the teacher used a paragraph from “I am Malala” as a mentor text to illustrate how writers use sensory details in their writing. The students’ task was to write their own paragraph and to include sensory details in their writing.

The teacher used a mentor text to illustrate the kind of writing that she wanted students to learn. During the lesson the teacher also used language development strategies from GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) such as repeatedly referring to a word of the day using verbal and physical response. Across the lesson the teacher alternated among whole class, small group, and individual work formats. The teacher strategically paired students who could support each other in their writing. Finally, the teacher provided targeted language support for students who were at the emergent level of language development.

The lesson started with a “quick write” focused on the students’ interests. This text became the foundation for the subsequent lesson on using sensory details in writing. The lesson also used a paragraph from “I am Malala” as a mentor text. This book is by Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani educational activist. Many of the students in the class related to this text and were deeply interested in the life and work of Malala Yousafzai advocating for girls’ education.