★Plan Before You Write
Grade 5 Writing Worksheet
NameDate
Plan a paragraph about the topic. Write the main idea and three details.
Topic: how to take care of a class pet.
Main ideaDetail 1Detail 2Detail 3
PencilGoGrade 5 · Writing · Writing process
5th Grade Plan Before You Write worksheets
6 printable versionsOn LevelAbout 10 minutes eachFree · no account
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About this worksheet
Good writers plan before they write: they decide the main idea first and then collect the details that will go in the paragraph. On this fifth grade sheet a child gets one topic and a plan with a space for the main idea and three details, and fills it in with short notes, not full sentences.
A plan like this makes the paragraph easy to write because every sentence already has a place. Each version has a different topic, and the grown-up checks that the details belong to the main idea.
What your child will learn
- Choose a main idea
- Think of three details that fit it
- Write short notes, not sentences
- Use the plan to write a paragraph
Common Core standard: W.5.5
Worked example
Topic: my favorite season. Main idea: summer is the best season. Details: swimming, no school, long evenings.
Common mistake
Writing details that are about a different idea, or copying whole sentences into the plan.
Helpful hint
Say the main idea in one sentence. Then ask for three things that show it is true.
Questions parents ask
What is the most common mistake with plan before you write?
Writing details that are about a different idea, or copying whole sentences into the plan.
How can I help my child with plan before you write?
Say the main idea in one sentence. Then ask for three things that show it is true.
Are these 5th grade writing worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.
Similar: Write a Friendly Letter · Revise and Edit a Draft
More 5th grade writing process
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