7 Hamburger Paragraph Writing Anchor Charts with Examples - Sandwich Posters

The hamburger analogy makes paragraphs fun and easy! Seven anchor charts explain steps in the writing process with strategies and examples. Together, they teach how to organize and develop informative texts.

Open the preview to take a closer look. Sequentially, the sandwich posters develop a paragraph about how Charlie Nagreen invented the hamburger.

Where’s the Beef? Kids learn to write supporting detail sentences.

• Strategy - Start with three or four closely related facts, steps, or details.
• Examples – Charlie tried selling meatballs at a fair, but he didn’t sell much. He decided to break a meatball and place it between two slices of bread. Charlie sold hamburgers at the fair every year until he died in 1951.

Between the Buns This anchor chart explains how to express the main or central idea at the beginning and end.

• Strategy - Slip the “meat” between the topic sentence and conclusion.
• Topic sentence example – Some people say the first hamburger was created by Charles Nagreen.
• Concluding sentence sample – Today people enjoy Charlie’s creations at fairs, cookouts, and restaurants.

Say “Cheese” This poster encourages kids to add extra details, especially those that provide more context.

• Strategy – Elaborate! Give your paragraph some extra information.
• Examples – The fair was held in Wisconsin. Ground beef was known as Hamburg steak. Charlie decided to call it the hamburger.

Slap It On Now students see how to link ideas with words and phrases. (A reproducible handout with a list of terms is also provided.)

• Strategy - Add transitions to pull the paragraph together.
• Examples – in 1885, at that time

Squirt It On Kids learn to use precise words and domain-specific vocabulary to convey ideas clearly.

• Strategy - Squirt on saucy words, including specific nouns and active verbs.
• Examples – peddle, success, smash, invented, sandwich, barbecues

Spice It Up The final poster shows how to pull it all together.

• Strategy - Combine related sentences. Vary sentence beginnings.
• Example – This anchor chart provides the entire paragraph in polished form. Some people say the first hamburger was invented by Charles Nagreen. In 1885, Charlie tried peddling meatballs at a Wisconsin fair but had little success. Charlie decided to smash a meatball and place it between two slices of bread. At that time, ground beef was also known as Hamburg steak, so he decided to call his creation the hamburger. Charlie sold burgers at the fair every year until he died in 1951. Today people enjoy Hamburger Charlie’s sandwiches at fairs, barbecues, and restaurants.

Bonus handout: Transition Terms This list of linking words can be used throughout the year. It includes words showing similarity, difference, cause-effect, examples, sequence, and conclusion.

Resources can be used in several ways.

• Anchor charts for whole group ELA instruction or mini lessons
• Classroom posters to support students’ writing throughout the year

Your third, fourth, or fifth grade students will love it – and you will too!

• The sandwich posters make expository writing fun.
• Charlie’s invention adds interest and provides a helpful exemplar.
• Activities address the intent of your standards. In addition to prewriting and development of paragraph structure, kids work on elaboration, word choice, and linking words.

Looking for more? At a discounted price, the hamburger bundle includes this set of activities and:

• Burger writing templates
• Digital sandwich activity
• How to write a paragraph video

Enjoy teaching explanatory writing!

Brenda Kovich

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I’m committed to continual improvement. This resource was updated on September 17, 2022.