3rd Grade Writing Lesson 11: Tell About Challenges and How You Solved Them

Objective

I can tell about a challenge, explain the steps I took, and describe how I solved it clearly.

Materials

Sharpened pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (wide or regular lines)

Mini-lesson

When you write about a challenge, your reader needs to understand what went wrong, what you did, and how it ended.

Start with the challenge

Tell what the problem was.
Keep it clear and specific.
Example: I could not finish my poster because the paper tore.

Tell the steps

Explain what you tried first, next, and last.
Use time words like first, next, and finally.
Example: First I taped the torn part. Next I made the title again.

End with the solution

Tell how the problem was solved.
Share what you learned if it fits.
Example: In the end, my poster looked neat, and I learned not to rush.

Ask yourself: "Does every sentence help explain my main idea?"

Guided Practice — Build and explain your ideas

Choose 3 sentences from the Trace menu and copy them neatly on paper. Then use the Tracing Pad to practice words, sentences, and marks.

Tracing Pad

LinesTrace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build strong sentences

Drag the words into the correct order to build each sentence about this writing topic.

Ihadahardproblem.

FirstIstoppedandthought.

NextItriedanewplan.

Iaskedforhelpfuladvice.

ThenIfixedmymistake.

Finallytheproblemwassolved.

Ilearnedtostaycalm.

NowIfeelveryproud.

Mystepswereclearandneat.

Thereadercanfollowmystory.

Quick Check — Tell About Challenges and How You Solved Them

Choose the best answer about this writing lesson.

What should you tell first in problem-solution writing?

a funny ending the challenge a random detail

Which words help show order?

first, next, finally blue, green, red cat, dog, bird

What should the ending explain?

how the problem was solved the page color a new topic

Why is it helpful to explain each step?

so the story is confusing so the reader can follow the process so the title disappears

Which sentence fits this lesson best?

I solved the problem after three careful steps. The chair ate my homework yesterday. Purple is sleeping loudly on math.

What can make the ending stronger?

a lesson learned an unrelated joke a different story

Which is a challenge?

my pencil broke during the test the sun is hot my shoes are blue

What should you avoid?

clear steps random details that do not fit time words

Why might a writer include feelings?

to show how the experience mattered to remove the problem to skip the ending

What is the goal of this lesson?

to tell a challenge and how it was solved to write only question marks to list spelling words

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Names the challenge clearlyExplains the steps in orderTells how the problem was solvedIncludes a clear ending or lesson learned

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can do this well now. 🙂 I can do some parts, but I need more practice. 😅 This still feels tricky.

I will practice…

Explaining the problem clearly Using sequence words Writing a strong ending