Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand how to write a problem-solution essay, differentiate between general and specific statements, and use basic researching techniques to gather information for their writing.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for writing
• A quiet space for reading and writing
• Access to a computer or tablet (if available) for research

Before starting the lesson, make sure the student understands what a problem is and can identify some problems they see in their daily life.

Activities

• Brainstorming Problems:

  Start by having the student think of three problems they notice in their community or at home. They can write these down on their paper.

• General vs. Specific Statements:

  Introduce the concepts of general and specific statements. Ask the student to take one problem and write a general statement about it, then make it more specific. For example, "There are many animals in need" could become "Many dogs in the shelter need homes."

• Research Time:

  If a computer or tablet is available, guide the student to research their chosen problem. They can look for facts, statistics, or stories that relate to the problem they picked.

• Writing the Essay:

  Finally, have the student write a short problem-solution essay using the information they gathered. Encourage them to start with their problem, explain why it’s a problem, and suggest a solution.

Talking Points

• "What problems do you see around you? Let's think of three!"
• "A general statement is like a big umbrella, while a specific statement is like a raindrop. Can you turn a big idea into a smaller one?"
• "When we research, we look for clues. What clues can we find about your problem?"
• "Your essay is like telling a story. Can you tell me what the problem is and how we can solve it?"
• "Remember, your solution should be something we can do. What is one thing we can try?"
• "Can you share your essay with me? I can't wait to hear your ideas!"
• "Writing is like painting with words. What colors (words) will you use in your essay?"