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Lesson plan · Grade 2 · 40 minutes

Hamburger Paragraph

I can write a how-to paragraph with a top bun, fillings and a bottom bun.

▶ Open the tool Download the tool
Standard
W.2.2 CCSS-ELA
Shape
Model, then make
Grouping
Whole class on the carpet for the model, then at tables for writing.
You need
The tool on the big screen. One sheet of paper per child, folded into five strips (or a printed burger outline). Crayons.
Tool
curioclass.org/tools/hamburger-paragraph/
  1. Hook4 min
  2. Model12 min
  3. Make14 min
  4. Share6 min
  5. Exit check4 min

Before class

  • Open the tool with Dogs picked. Sound is on.
  • Fold a paper into five strips and label them: top bun, three fillings, bottom bun. This is your example.
  • On the board, list things the class knows how to do: brush your teeth, make a sandwich, wash your hands, feed a pet.

Hook 4 min

  1. "What do you need to make a hamburger?" Draw it as they answer: bun, meat, lettuce, cheese, bun.
  2. "What happens if you forget the top bun? Or put a boot in the middle?" (It falls apart. You can't eat it.)
  3. "A paragraph is built just like a burger. Today you will build one."

Model 12 min

  1. With Dogs on screen, read each sentence card together. For each one ask: "Is this the top bun, a filling, the bottom bun, or not about dogs at all?" Click the card, then its place.
  2. When a sentence is Not in this burger, it turns into a boot. "Why doesn't this one belong?" (It isn't about dogs.)
  3. Press Serve it! and let the bear react. If it isn't right, fix it together and serve it again.
  4. Pick Plant a seed and build it the same way. Stop at the fillings: "Does the order matter here?" (Yes. First, next, last. You can't water the seed before you plant it.)
  5. Point out the order words: first, next, last. Write them on the board.
  6. Open Write your own and build one together about washing your hands. Fill the Top bun, three fillings and the Bottom bun from the class's ideas, then serve it.

Make 14 min

  1. Each child picks a how-to from the board list (or their own) and writes on the folded paper: top bun first, then three fillings using first, next and last, then the bottom bun.
  2. Walk around and ask: "Is every filling about your topic? Read me your top bun."
  3. Early finishers draw lettuce, cheese and meat on the strips, and check their work for a boot.

Share 6 min

  1. Two or three children read their burgers. The class listens: "Which sentence was the top bun? Did anything sound like a boot?"
  2. Type one child's paragraph into Write your own and press Serve it! for the bear.

Exit check 4 min

Read a sentence aloud. Children show where it goes: hands on head for a top bun, hands on tummy for a filling, hands on feet for a bottom bun, and a head shake for a boot. Try "First, put toothpaste on the brush." (Tummy.) "Now your teeth are clean and shiny!" (Feet.) "My cat is orange." (Head shake.) "Brushing your teeth is easy." (Head.)

Support and stretch

  • Support: give the top bun as a starter ("___ is easy if you follow three steps.") and let children say the fillings to an adult who writes them.
  • Support: two fillings are enough for a first burger.
  • Stretch: write a second burger about a topic from Recess or Fall, with no order words. Does order matter there?
  • Stretch: a "double burger" with four fillings and a better bottom bun than "That's how you do it."

Short on time

  • Model only Dogs and Plant a seed (10 min).
  • Write one burger together in Write your own, with no individual writing (8 min).
  • Finish with the head, tummy and feet check (2 min).

How each button works is in the teacher notes. From Curio Class, free under CC BY 4.0: change it, print it, share it.