When was the last time you tasted a lesson?? This is the ONLY total sensory approach to structuring an essay. There are two main problems facing most students writers today. First of all, too many write their entire essay in the introduction and then merely repeat themselves in the body! Second of all, even though some are able to communicate, very few KNOW to even EXPECT a structure, much less know what the academic language of that structure is.

Teachers face two problems as well: writing is personal and no child wants to feel lost or like a failure when sharing their own feelings, and thus, this causes the second problem...a lack of engagement.

I LOVE to use this lesson in class! It forces the "cool" kids to look and feel just as silly as those who are okay with silliness as they all parrot the expression, "The thumbery thatement rethates the thesis thatement!" Any kid given a choice between saying something silly or having to write a paper will choose the silly every time. Ah, but then that's the secret... this lesson slips in under their radar, making them think we are having a "fun" day without too much effort. By the end of the period, however, they have memorized the opening statement, the thesis statement, the topic sentences, the summary statement, and the closing statement, and KNOW where each belongs. An engaged classroom is an easily managed classroom, as well!

This lesson works with the Brain Candy Study Guide, providing initial instruction as well as reinforcement ideas to solidify the learning. This is one lesson students will never forget and grocery stores unknowingly contribute to this lesson for the rest of the student's lives. REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT - EXPOSE EXPOSE EXPOSE!