Free Anatomy of a Paragraph - The Best Recess (Grades 3-5)

Grades 3-5 ELA

W.3.1 W.3.2 W.4.1 W.4.2

Worksheet 1: Anatomy of a Paragraph — “The Best Recess”

Identifying Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Concluding Sentence • Standards: W.3.2, W.4.2

Name: Date:

Directions: Read the model paragraph below. Then complete Part A and Part B.

The Best Recess

Recess is the best part of the school day. First, it gives kids a chance to run around and use up their energy after sitting in class all morning. Second, recess is a time to play with friends and have fun together. Kids can play tag, jump rope, or just talk and laugh on the benches. Also, a break from schoolwork helps kids focus better when they go back to class. Teachers even say that students pay more attention after recess. For all of these reasons, recess is the part of the school day that kids need the most.

Part A: Label the paragraph.

Read the model paragraph again. Use colored pencils or crayons to do the following:

1. Underline the topic sentence in red.

2. Underline each supporting detail in blue. (Hint: there are more than one.)

3. Underline the concluding sentence in green.

Part B: Answer the questions.

1. Copy the topic sentence here:

2. How many supporting details does the paragraph include?

3. List one supporting detail in your own words:

4. Copy the concluding sentence here:

5. What is the job of the topic sentence?

a) To give an example

b) To tell the reader what the paragraph is about

c) To end the paragraph

d) To ask a question

6. What is the job of the concluding sentence?

a) To introduce a new idea

b) To give another detail

c) To wrap up the paragraph and restate the main idea

d) To ask the reader a question

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