Writing & Composition

Paragraphs, Essays & Creative Writing

Grades 3-4 - Ages 8-10
CHILD Daniel Writing Wall

Illustration for Writing

How to Use This Workbook

Learn to write using the 4 Rs!

RECEIVELearn the skill
REFLECTSee examples
RECALLPractice writing
RESPONDCreate your own!

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Yahuah." - Psalm 19:14

1Review: Complete Sentences

RECEIVE - What Makes a Complete Sentence?

Every sentence needs TWO things:

Examples:

Yahusha | healed the sick man.

↑ Subject | ↑ Predicate


The disciples | followed the Messiah.

↑ Subject | ↑ Predicate

"In the beginning Elohim created the heaven and the earth." - Genesis 1:1
Subject: Elohim | Predicate: created the heaven and the earth

Four Types of Sentences:

RECALL - Practice Sentences!

Add a predicate to complete each sentence:

1. Moses _______________________________________________

2. The children of Israel _______________________________________________

3. Yahuah _______________________________________________

Add a subject to complete each sentence:

4. _______________________________________________ praised Yahuah.

5. _______________________________________________ walked on water.

REFLECT - Think About Sentences!

1. What are the two parts every sentence needs?

2. "Who created the world?" is what type of sentence?

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

2Building Paragraphs

RECEIVE - What is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of sentences about ONE main idea. Every paragraph has THREE parts:

1. Topic Sentence - States the main idea

"Yahuah takes care of all His creation."

2. Detail Sentences - Give examples and support

"He sends rain to water the plants. He provides food for the animals. He gives us everything we need."

3. Closing Sentence - Wraps up the idea

"We can trust Yahuah to always provide for us."



Remember to INDENT! Start the first word of your paragraph about 5 spaces (or one finger-width) from the left edge. This shows where a new paragraph begins!
"Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap... yet Elohim feeds them." - Luke 12:24

RECALL - Build a Paragraph!

Topic: The Sabbath Day

Write a paragraph about why the Sabbath is special. Include:

Paragraph Checklist:

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

3Descriptive Writing

RECEIVE - Using Your Five Senses

Descriptive writing paints a picture with words! Use your five senses to describe things:

Example - Describing Manna:

Plain: The Israelites ate manna in the desert.

Descriptive: Every morning, tiny white flakes covered the desert ground like frost. The sweet bread tasted like honey cakes, melting softly on the tongue. The people gathered it while the cool morning air still carried the fresh smell of dew.

"And the manna was as coriander seed, and the color thereof as the color of bdellium... and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil." - Numbers 11:7-8

RECALL - Practice Descriptive Writing!

Describe the Garden of Eden using your senses:

Sight: _______________________________________________

Sound: _______________________________________________

Smell: _______________________________________________

Touch: _______________________________________________

Taste: _______________________________________________

Now write a descriptive paragraph about the Garden:

REFLECT - Think About Description!

1. What makes descriptive writing "paint a picture"?

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

4Narrative Writing - Telling a Story

RECEIVE - Every Story Has Parts

A narrative tells a story! Every good story has:

Example - David and Goliath:

Characters: David, Goliath, King Saul, the armies

Setting: Valley of Elah, ancient Israel

Beginning: The Philistine giant Goliath challenged Israel

Middle: David volunteered to fight when no one else would

End: David defeated Goliath with a sling and stone, trusting in Yahuah



Use Time-Order Words! First, then, next, after, finally, at last, meanwhile... These words help your reader follow the story!

RECALL - Plan a Story!

Plan a story about a time Yahuah helped you or your family:

Characters: _______________________________________________

Setting: _______________________________________________

Beginning: _______________________________________________

Middle (Problem): _______________________________________________

End (Solution): _______________________________________________

Now write your story:

Story Checklist:

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

5Opinion Writing

RECEIVE - Sharing What You Think

Opinion writing shares what you think and WHY you think it! You give reasons to support your opinion.

Opinion Writing Structure:

  1. State your opinion: I believe... / I think... / In my opinion...
  2. Give reasons: First... Second... Third...
  3. Use examples: For example... / The Bible says...
  4. Conclude: That's why... / For these reasons...

Example Opinion Paragraph:

I believe the Sabbath is the best day of the week. First, it is a day Yahuah blessed and made holy. Second, we get to rest from our work and spend time with family. Third, we can focus on learning about Yahuah without distractions. For these reasons, I look forward to the Sabbath every week!

"Come now, and let us reason together, says Yahuah." - Isaiah 1:18
Yahuah wants us to think and give reasons for what we believe!

RECALL - Write Your Opinion!

Topic: Why should we obey Yahuah's commandments?

My opinion: _______________________________________________

Reason 1: _______________________________________________

Reason 2: _______________________________________________

Reason 3: _______________________________________________

Conclusion: _______________________________________________

Now write your opinion paragraph:



Use Persuasive Words! "Most importantly," "Clearly," "Without a doubt," "Everyone should," "It is important that..."

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

6Introduction to Essays

RECEIVE - What is an Essay?

An essay is several paragraphs that work together to explain one big idea. A basic essay has THREE parts:

Essay Structure:

1. Introduction Paragraph

Hook your reader + State your main idea (thesis)

2. Body Paragraphs (2-3)

Each paragraph explains one reason or point with details

3. Conclusion Paragraph

Restate your main idea + Final thought



Planning = Better Writing! Always outline your essay before you write. This helps organize your thoughts!

RECALL - Plan an Essay!

Topic: What I Love About My Faith

Introduction:

Hook (interesting opening): _______________________________________________

Main idea: _______________________________________________

Body Paragraph 1:

Reason: _______________________________________________

Details: _______________________________________________

Body Paragraph 2:

Reason: _______________________________________________

Details: _______________________________________________

Conclusion:

Restate main idea: _______________________________________________

Final thought: _______________________________________________

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

7Editing & Revising

RECEIVE - Making Your Writing Better

Good writers always edit and revise their work!

Revising = Making it BETTER

Editing = Fixing MISTAKES

Editing Checklist (CUPS):

RECALL - Practice Editing!

Find and correct the mistakes in this paragraph:

yahuah created the world in six days on the seventh day he rested this is why we keep the sabbath. we rest on the sabbath becos yahuah told us too it is a speshal day

Write the corrected paragraph:

"Study to show yourself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

RESPOND - Do It With a Parent!

8Final Writing Project

RECEIVE - Put It All Together!

Choose ONE project to complete using everything you've learned:

Option 1: My Testimony

Write about how you came to know Yahuah or a time He helped you. Include descriptive details!

Option 2: Bible Story Retelling

Choose a Bible story and retell it in your own words with vivid descriptions.

Option 3: Opinion Essay

Write an essay explaining why following Torah is important.

RECALL - Write Your Project!

I chose: Option ____

Outline/Plan:

My Writing:

Final Project Checklist:

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Yahuah, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14

RESPOND - Celebrate Your Writing!

Answer Key (For Parents)

Lesson 1

Q1: Subject and predicate | Q2: Question

Lesson 3

Q3: Using sensory details

Lesson 7 - Editing Practice

Corrected paragraph: Yahuah created the world in six days. On the seventh day, He rested. This is why we keep the Sabbath. We rest on the Sabbath because Yahuah told us to. It is a special day.

Corrections made: Capitalized "Yahuah," "On," "He," "This," "We," "It," and "Sabbath." Added periods. Changed "becos" to "because." Changed "too" to "to." Changed "speshal" to "special."

Writing Assessment Guidelines: