Grades 3–4
Topic Sentence Match
Four sets of detail sentences to match with their topic sentences, then a topic sentence to write.
Writing worksheet · Paragraph writing and editing
Hamburger Paragraph Planner
The hamburger organizer: a topic sentence bun, three detail fillings and a closing sentence bun.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–4
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Paragraph structure, Topic and concluding sentences, Revising and editing, Proofreading
What kids do
“A good paragraph is built like a hamburger. Plan each layer, then write the paragraph on another sheet.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Top bun Topic sentence: tell what the paragraph is about.
- Detail 1 A fact, a reason or an example.
- Detail 2 Another one.
- Detail 3 One more.
- Bottom bun Closing sentence: wrap it up.
Teacher tip
Draw a giant hamburger on chart paper and build a class paragraph together first.
How to use it
- Read the paragraph aloud together before kids mark anything.
- Model one fix on the document camera, thinking out loud.
- Model the first answer on the board, thinking out loud as you write.
Watch for
Kids who rewrite everything instead of fixing what is marked. Keep changes small and on purpose.
Talk about it
- What is this paragraph mostly about?
- Which sentence on your sheet are you proudest of? Why?
Take it further
Have kids use the same steps on a paragraph from their own journal.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
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