You will learn
- Choose and research a topic.
- Organise information.
- Explain clearly.
- Use topic vocabulary.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Research the topic.
- Plan the sections.
- Draft with facts.
- Revise and edit.
Words to know
an essay that explains facts about a topic
a title above a section
the meaning of a key term
a statement that can be checked
1. Discover: An essay on the baobab
The Baobab Tree
The baobab is a giant tree found in dry parts of Africa. It can live for hundreds of years.
Why it is special
The trunk stores water, which helps the tree survive droughts. A hollow (an empty space) inside old trunks can shelter animals. Its fruit is rich in vitamin C.
In conclusion, the baobab is a remarkable tree that supports both wildlife and people.
This informative essay uses headings, facts, and a definition of hollow.
Think: How does it help the reader learn?
2. Understand: Explaining a topic
Idea 1: Topic and facts
An informative essay explains a topic using accurate facts and details from research.
Idea 2: Structure
Use an introduction, body sections with headings if helpful, and a conclusion. Include definitions of key terms.
Idea 3: Tone
Use a neutral, clear tone. Avoid opinion.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Fact
Give a fact.
- Checkable.
Answer: baobab trunks store water
Example 2 (We do it together): Definition
What is defined?
- Hollow.
Answer: hollow means an empty space
Example 3 (You try): Heading
What is a heading?
Show the steps and answer
- Title of a section.
Answer: Why it is special
Did you know?
Baobab trees are sometimes called upside-down trees because their branches look like roots.
Why this matters
Informative writing shares knowledge clearly.
4. Explore: Explain it
Write an informative piece.
- Choose a topic.
- Research three facts.
- Plan sections.
- Write and edit.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can write an informative essay.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- The ___ is ___.
- One interesting fact is ___.
- ___ means ___.
- In conclusion, ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. An essay explaining facts is an ___ essay.
informative
Question 2. A title above a section is a ___.
heading
Question 3. The meaning of a key term is its ___.
definition
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- An essay explaining facts is an ___ essay.
- A title above a section is a ___.
- The meaning of a key term is its ___.
- A statement that can be checked is a ___.
- The baobab stores ___.
Level 2: Grow
- Where is the baobab found?
- What is its fruit rich in?
- How long can it live?
Level 3: Stretch
- Should informative writing use facts?
- Should it be neutral?
- Can headings help?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write a short informative essay with an introduction, one heading and a conclusion.
Show a sample answer
an essay
Another one. Research one fact about an animal and write a short paragraph to read to a family member.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can choose and research a topic.
- I can organise information.
- I can explain clearly.
- I can use topic vocabulary.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Research the topic.
- Plan the sections.
- Draft with facts.
- Revise and edit.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Opinion and persuasive writing. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is an informative essay? [1 mark]
- Give two features of informative writing. [2 marks]
- Define hollow from the essay. [1 mark]
- What tone should it use? [1 mark]
- Explain how to write an informative essay. [3 marks]
Total: 8 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- an essay that explains facts about a topic [1]
- facts [1]; headings or definitions [1]
- an empty space [1]
- neutral and clear [1]
- research and plan the topic [1]; organise facts with an introduction, body and conclusion [1]; use clear definitions and a neutral tone [1]
Score guide: 7 to 8 = secure. 5 to 6 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- An essay explaining facts is an ___ essay.
- A title above a section is a ___.
- The meaning of a key term is its ___.
- A statement that can be checked is a ___.
- The baobab stores ___.
- Where is the baobab found?
- What is its fruit rich in?
- How long can it live?
- Should informative writing use facts?
- Should it be neutral?
Homework
Research one fact about an animal and write a short paragraph to read to a family member.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. An essay explaining facts is an ___ essay. | informative | 1 |
| 2. A title above a section is a ___. | heading | 1 |
| 3. The meaning of a key term is its ___. | definition | 1 |
| 4. A statement that can be checked is a ___. | fact | 1 |
| 5. The baobab stores ___. | water | 1 |
| 6. Where is the baobab found? | dry parts of Africa | 1 |
| 7. What is its fruit rich in? | vitamin C | 1 |
| 8. How long can it live? | hundreds of years | 1 |
| 9. Should informative writing use facts? | yes | 1 |
| 10. Should it be neutral? | yes | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 informative; 2 heading; 3 definition; 4 fact; 5 water. Level 2: 1 dry parts of Africa; 2 vitamin C; 3 hundreds of years. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Choose and research a topic | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Organise information | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Explain clearly | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use topic vocabulary | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: choose and research a topic; organise information; explain clearly; use topic vocabulary.
Prerequisite knowledge. Supporting evidence.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 8-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 5 » Writing; Grade 5 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core W.5.2 (write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly); Cambridge Primary English Stage 5 (non-fiction writing). These sources informed the lesson.