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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Writing Assignment
The Rock Cycle
Standard: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly, including introducing a topic clearly, grouping related information in paragraphs and sections, developing with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, using linking words and phrases, using precise language and domain-specific vocabulary, and providing a concluding statement or section.
What to Do
Assignment OverviewYou'll read about the rock cycle and write an informative essay explaining how it works. Use facts and details from the passage to teach your reader about the three kinds of rock and how they change from one into another. How Rocks Change: The Rock Cycle
1
Rocks may look like they stay the same forever, but they are always slowly changing. Over millions of years, rocks are made, broken down, and made again in a never-ending process called the rock cycle. There are three main kinds of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Each kind forms in a different way, and one kind can slowly turn into another.
2
Igneous rock forms when hot, melted rock cools and hardens. Deep inside the Earth, it is hot enough to melt rock into a thick liquid called magma. When magma cools down — either slowly underground or quickly after a volcano sends it out as lava — it hardens into solid igneous rock. Granite and the dark rock around volcanoes are both igneous.
3
Sedimentary rock forms in a completely different way. Wind, water, and ice slowly break bigger rocks into tiny pieces. This breaking-apart is called weathering, and the tiny pieces are called sediment. Rivers and wind carry the sediment away and drop it in layers, often at the bottom of lakes and oceans. Over a very long time, the heavy layers press down and cement together into solid sedimentary rock. Sandstone and limestone form this way.
4
Metamorphic rock forms when a rock that already exists is changed by heat and pressure — but without melting all the way. When rocks are buried deep underground, the weight above and the heat below squeeze and bake them into a new kind of rock. Marble, for example, starts as limestone before heat and pressure change it.
5
The amazing part is that the cycle never stops. Any rock can become any other kind over enough time. If a rock melts, it can cool into new igneous rock. If it is broken into sediment, it can form new sedimentary rock. If it is buried and squeezed, it can become metamorphic rock. The rock beneath your feet may have been many different rocks before, and it will keep changing long into the future. Vocabulary Bank
Writing Steps
1
Understand the Topic
Show that you understand the topic:
- What is this topic about? - What are 2-3 important facts you learned from the passage? You can use bullet points, short phrases, or sentences — whatever helps you think! Rocks look like they never change, but they do! Over millions of years, rocks are slowly broken down, moved, and rebuilt in a never-ending process called the rock cycle. Read the passage below to learn about the three main kinds of rock and how one kind can turn into another. Then you will write an informative essay to explain what you learned.
Before you write, make sure you understand the topic and what you read. Note: This step helps you think. It will not be part of your final essay.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Main Idea Detail / Evidence 1 Detail / Evidence 2 Detail / Evidence 3
2
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Write your introduction paragraph (3-5 sentences):
- Introduce the topic to your reader - Tell the reader what they will learn about - Give a little hint about the facts you will share Try starting with: "Did you know..." or "[Topic] is..." or "Have you ever wondered..." Now write your introduction paragraph.
A good informative introduction: - Introduces the topic clearly so the reader knows what this is about - States a central idea (what will the reader learn?) - Gives a little preview of the information to come Remember: You are explaining, not giving your opinion. Tell the reader what they will learn!
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Role: introduction
Target: ~45 words
Look for:
What is the main thing you want to explain?
What will readers learn from your writing?
Try: '[Topic] is interesting because...
Sentence Starters
This essay is about ___.
The main idea is that ___.
In this essay, I will explain ___.
Target: about 45 words
3
Paragraph 2: Body
Write your body paragraph (4-6 sentences) that includes:
- 2-3 facts from the passage - At least one detail, definition, or example that helps explain - A sentence telling why this information is interesting or important Use linking words like: another, for example, also, because, in addition. Now write your body paragraph — this is where you share the important facts and details!
A good body paragraph includes: 1. Facts — 2-3 important facts from the passage 2. Details — definitions, examples, or interesting details that help explain the facts 3. Explanation — tell the reader what the facts mean or why they matter
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Role: body paragraph
Target: ~60 words
Look for:
What important facts did you learn from the passage?
Can you give an example or detail that helps explain?
Why is this information interesting or important?
Try: 'For example...' or 'Another important fact is...
Sentence Starters
One important fact about ___ is that ___.
Another key detail is ___, which shows ___.
Target: about 60 words
4
Paragraph 3: Conclusion
Write your conclusion paragraph (2-3 sentences):
- Restate your central idea in a new way - Remind the reader of the most important facts - Add a closing thought about why this topic is interesting Now write your conclusion paragraph to wrap up your informative essay.
A good conclusion: - Restates the central idea (say it in a new way) - Reminds the reader what they learned - May add why this information is interesting or important
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Role: conclusion
Target: ~30 words
Look for:
What was the main thing you explained?
What is the most important thing readers should remember?
Try: 'As you can see...' or 'Now you know...
Sentence Starters
In summary, ___.
Overall, ___.
To sum up, ___ because ___.
Target: about 30 words
5
Make It Even Better
Review your full 3-paragraph essay draft and make it better:
- Clarity: Is everything easy to understand? - Linking words: Are your ideas connected? (another, for example, also, because) - Precise words: Did you use specific words instead of vague ones? - Tone: Are you explaining, not arguing? - Fix-ups: Correct any spelling or grammar mistakes. Edit the essay as needed, then turn in your final version. Great work! You've written all three paragraphs of your informative essay.
Now revise and refine your draft to make it even better. 📘 What good revising looks like: Check your draft one paragraph at a time:
- Paragraph 1 (Introduction): your topic and central idea - Paragraph 2 (Body): your facts, details, and explanation - Paragraph 3 (Conclusion): your summary and closing thought Then polish the words: - Make sentences clear and easy to understand - Add linking words (another, for example, also, because, in addition) - Use specific words from the passage (not just "it" or "stuff") - Make sure you are explaining, not giving your opinion
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Target: ~135 words
Look for:
Are your ideas connected with linking words?
Can you use more specific words from the passage?
Try words like: another, for example, also, because, in addition
Sentence Starters
This essay is about ___.
For example, ___.
This is important because ___.
In summary, ___.
Target: about 135 words
Check Your Work
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I wrote my introduction
My introduction is about 45 words
I wrote my body paragraph
My body paragraph is about 60 words
I wrote my conclusion
My conclusion is about 30 words
I completed Step 5: Make It Even Better
My make it even better is about 135 words
I re-read my writing and fixed any spelling or grammar mistakes
I am proud of this work
ReflectionWhat was the hardest part of this assignment? What would you do differently next time?
For the Teacher
Teacher Guide — The Rock CycleW.4.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly, including introducing a topic clearly, grouping related information in paragraphs and sections, developing with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, using linking words and phrases, using precise language and domain-specific vocabulary, and providing a concluding statement or section. · Grade 4 · ~35 min
The student pages show a simplified 3-level Check Your Work chart. Score finished work against the full rubric below. Scoring Rubric
Step-by-Step Coaching Notes
Step 1 — Understand the Topic
Step 2 — Paragraph 1: Introduction
Step 3 — Paragraph 2: Body
Step 4 — Paragraph 3: Conclusion
Step 5 — Make It Even Better
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writingtools.org/free/inform4_water_cycle_v1
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