Grades 3–5
Write an Introduction and a Conclusion
Build the beginning and ending of an informational piece: a hook, the topic, a summary and a final thought.
Writing worksheet · Informational writing
Explain How Something Works
An explanatory planner: what it is, its parts, how it works step by step and why it is useful.
- Grade level
- Grades 4–5
- Time
- About 40 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Informational writing, Research and note-taking, Text structure, Writing facts in your own words
What kids do
“Pick something you use every day and explain how it works, step by step. Use a diagram to help.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Pick one, or write your own a zipper a flashlight a bike a straw a stapler a piggy bank
- Diagram with labels
- Why is it useful? Write your closing.
Teacher tip
Bring in a simple machine like a stapler or a flashlight and talk through how it works.
How to use it
- Show a nonfiction book that uses the same structure or text feature first.
- Gather a stack of library books on the topic before kids start.
- Give a minute at the end to reread the work out loud to a partner.
Watch for
Copying sentences straight from the book. Have kids close the book, then write.
Talk about it
- Where did your facts come from?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
Take it further
Turn finished pages into a class nonfiction book for the library.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More informational writing worksheets
Grades 2–3
All About Book Planner
Plan an All About book: a topic, a cover and four chapters with two facts each.
Grades 2–4
Research Notes Organizer
Note-taking boxes for any real topic: what it is, three facts, new words and where the facts came from.
Grades 3–5
Main Idea and Details Table
The tabletop organizer: one main idea, three supporting details and a closing sentence for an informational paragraph.
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