Grades(s) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects(s) Language Arts

Students learn the elements of a good paragraph.

Paragraphs taken from books or written by the teacher.
Write the paragraph as a series of individual sentences using a large font.
Envelopes containing individual sentences
Tape
Paper

GADS stands for G - Grab the reader (topic sentence), A - Add five details D - Use different sentence beginnings, and S- Sum up in a unique way.
1. Divide students into groups of four.
2. Give each group an envelope containing sentences
3. Students work to place the paragraph in the correct order and tape the sentences in place on a sheet of paper.
4. Call on one group to read the paragraph to the others. Have all students who created the same paragraph raise their hands.
5. Have other groups share their paragraphs if they are different.
6. Allow students to discuss the order and decide which order is best. It is possible to have more than one answer. Let students decide if the meaning of the paragraph changes with the order.
7. Each group is given a topic and writes their own paragraph using the GADS approach.
8. Students share and critique paragraphs.


1. Write three topics on the board and allow students to choose one.
2. Students individually write a paragraph using the GADS formula.
3. Using a rubric, grade the paragraph based on each part of the writing process formula.