Good Morning,
Writers!

Grade 5 | C2 | Module 1
Understanding the Structure of an ECR
The Writing Academy

Good Morning, Writers!

Day 1Gather + Reveal
Today we will discover the parts of the informative ECR TREE. Learn the three prompt shapes: circle nouns, box verbs, underline direction.
YESTERDAY WE LEARNED
Last cluster, we mastered SCR responses with thesis (central idea), evidence, and explanation.
TODAY'S PASSAGE(S)
"Spanish Rule in Early Texas" and "A Harvest to Remember"
GET READY
Passage, Pencil, Highlighter
QUICK THINK
What is the first thing you should do when you see an ECR prompt for the first time?
Foundational
Play Our Song: TRACKS
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Good Morning, Writers!

Day 2Attempt
Today we will play Spin and Shape Showdown: spin WHY, HOW, or BOTH, draw a prompt card, shape it with hand motions, and say the type.
YESTERDAY WE LEARNED
We learned the ECR TREE structure and the three prompt shapes (WHY, HOW, BOTH).
TODAY'S PASSAGE(S)
"Spanish Rule in Early Texas" and "A Harvest to Remember"
GET READY
Passage, Pencil, Spinner, Prompt cards
QUICK THINK
How do the hand motions help you remember the three prompt shapes?
Emergent
Play Our Song: CSI
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Good Morning, Writers!

Day 3Discuss + Use
Today we will explain how the conflict supports a WHY thesis (central idea). Shape a prompt and write a complete central idea.
YESTERDAY WE LEARNED
We played Spin and Shape Showdown and practiced identifying prompt types with hand motions.
TODAY'S PASSAGE(S)
"Spanish Rule in Early Texas" and "A Harvest to Remember"
GET READY
Passage, Pencil, Workbook
QUICK THINK
How is shaping an ECR prompt different from reading a simple question?
Visible
Play Our Song: Thesis (central idea)
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Good Morning, Writers!

Day 4Award + Target
Today we will recognize successful shaping and thesis (central idea) writing. Revise a vague thesis (central idea) so it answers WHY.
YESTERDAY WE LEARNED
We shaped prompts and wrote complete thesis (central idea) statements connected to the ECR TREE.
TODAY'S PASSAGE(S)
"Spanish Rule in Early Texas" and "A Harvest to Remember"
GET READY
Passage, Pencil, Workbook
QUICK THINK
What makes a thesis (central idea) vague, and how do you fix it?
Independent
Play Our Song: TREES
♪ ♫ ♩ ♪ ♫

Good Morning, Writers!

Day 5Educate + Explain
Today we will teach a partner the three prompt shapes and how to build a thesis (central idea) from the ECR TREE.
YESTERDAY WE LEARNED
We recognized shaping successes and revised vague theses to answer WHY with specific language.
TODAY'S PASSAGE(S)
"Spanish Rule in Early Texas" and "A Harvest to Remember"
GET READY
Passage, Pencil, Workbook, Exit ticket
QUICK THINK
Why does the ECR TREE help writers organize their thinking before they start drafting?
Reflective
Play Our Song: Every Great Essay
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