Lesson plan on Building Better Paragraphs with the Hamburger Model for “ACELY1725 - “Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts demonstrating increasing control over text structures and language features.”  

1. Lesson Overview

• Lesson Title: Building Better Paragraphs with the Hamburger Model

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Target Group: Year 7 English

• Curriculum Link: ACELY1725 - “Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts demonstrating increasing control over text structures and language features.”

In an English assignment, you will learn how to build strong paragraphs using a fun and memorable structure - the hamburger model. Together, we will explore the three parts of a great paragraph, work through group tasks, and end by writing your own.

Throughout the lesson, you will be supported with visuals, sentence starters, and checklists. You will have chances to work with classmates, give and receive feedback, and reflect on how your writing improves. Everything we do today connects to different stages of thinking in Bloom’s Taxonomy - from remembering definitions to creating your own written piece!

2. Unlocking Your Writing Power

Mission Objective:
You’re about to build your first powerful paragraph. But first, you need to activate your writer’s brain and earn your first badge.

Writer’s Entry Task
Complete this quest: “Write 1 sentence that begins a story, a rant, a review, or a journal entry - anything that would make you want to keep reading.”

Choose something:
•    Personal
•    Weird
•    Bold

Or even outrageous
Type your sentence in your document,
or write it in your notebook.

Bonus Badge: After writing your sentence, give yourself one of the following titles:

•    “Paragraph Pirate” (if your sentence makes a bold claim)
•    “Grammar Gladiator” (if your sentence is technically perfect)
•    “Idea Invader” (if your sentence makes us want to know more)

Write your badge name under your sentence. Own it. 

  

Why this works:

Writers do not just follow rules - they make readers care. You have just done that. Now let us break down how to structure a full paragraph that keeps the energy going from start to finish.
Now meet the tool that is going to turn your great sentence into a powerful paragraph:

The Hamburger Paragraph

•    Top Bun - Topic sentence (sets the flavour)
•    Fillings - Supporting details (adds depth and crunch)
•    Bottom Bun - Concluding sentence (wraps it up strong)

What Your Badge Says About You (Choose Your Writing Style Power-Up)

Each badge connects to a real part of paragraph writing and will help you focus when we start building your full hamburger paragraph.

Paragraph Pirate

You are bold. You lead with voice and opinion.
Your strength: You write killer topic sentences that grab attention.
Hamburger Tip: Make sure your supporting details can back up your claim - don’t let your paragraph sink!

Grammar Gladiator

You are precise and polished. Your writing is sharp.
Your strength: You nail sentence mechanics and structure.
Hamburger Tip: Focus on content: don’t play it too safe. Let your ideas take centre stage while keeping that clean grammar flow.

Idea Invader

You spark curiosity. Readers want to know more.
Your strength: You know how to hook the reader.
Hamburger Tip: Make sure your topic and conclusion sentences match the ideas in your middle - don’t just explode and disappear!

3. Learning Intention & Outcomes

Learning Intention:
You will learn to identify, explain, and apply the three-part structure of a paragraph: topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence; by using the hamburger model.

Success Criteria:
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
•    Define the parts of a paragraph (Remember/Understand)
•    Identify strengths and weaknesses in example paragraphs (Analyse/Evaluate)
•    Write your own structured paragraph using a scaffold (Apply/Create)

Remember & Understand
Using the activity below, you will match each part - topic sentence, supporting detail, concluding sentence - with its definition and an example. This helps lock in the key vocabulary we will use all lesson.

Apply
Next you will receive a scrambled paragraph cut into sentence strips. Working with a partner, your challenge is to arrange the parts in the correct order. Read aloud as you go and assess - does it flow like a real paragraph? This will show if you have grasped the structure.

Analyse
You are to shift into critique mode for this part. Each group shall be given two sample paragraphs - one excellent, one weak. Use the checklist provided to figure out what each one does well and what is missing. Why does one paragraph feel more convincing than the other?

Create
This is your pre-final task: write your own paragraph using the hamburger model on the topic:
“My Perfect Weekend.”

You will use the scaffold and sentence starters if you need help. Do not forget your topic sentence, at least two supporting details, and a conclusion that wraps it all up. Once you are done, your paragraph shall be used for peer review and feedback.

Evaluate
After you have written your own paragraph, you will swap with a classmate. Using the class rubric, you will review your peer’s work and mark what works well, plus one suggestion for improvement. Think like a teacher!

4. Differentiation Techniques

There are three activity levels to make sure you can work at your own pace:

•    Level 1 (Support): You will match terms with pictures and use sentence frames to guide your answers.
•    Level 2 (Core): You will reorder scrambled paragraphs and complete guided critiques.
•    Level 3 (Extension): You will rewrite your paragraph in a persuasive tone or use techniques like alliteration. 

Supports Available:
•    If you’re an EAL learner, you will have a bilingual glossary and visual scaffolds.
•    If you prefer step-by-step help, you will get a time-coded task sheet.
•    If you want more challenge, ask for our extra flair checklist to elevate your writing.

Everyone will work in groups with mixed roles (scribe, checker, timer).

5. Assessment & Feedback Methods

Formative Assessment

As you complete the tasks in this lesson, you will be asked a few reflection questions in your workbook or document. These are designed to help you check your understanding as you go.

Think about:
•    Why did you choose this sentence first?
•    What does your topic sentence tell the reader?

You will also complete a critique activity, where you will analyse two sample paragraphs and explain what works and what does not. Use the checklist provided to guide your thinking.

These activities are like mini checkpoints - they help you catch what you already know and what you still need to improve, before your final submission.

Summative Assessment

Your final task is to write a structured paragraph using the Hamburger Model. It will be assessed using this four-part rubric:

•    Structure (topic/support/conclusion)
•    Sentence variety
•    Grammar and punctuation
•    Creativity and voice

Before you submit, you will complete a peer review using a checklist. After giving one helpful suggestion to a classmate, you’ll revise your own paragraph one final time. You will receive written feedback with one key suggestion to level up your writing even further.

6. Student Reflection

1.    Before you leave today, you will complete a 3-2-1 exit slip:

•    3 things I learned
•    2 things I enjoyed or found tricky
•    1 question I still have

This will help reflect on your learning and identify what to revisit next time.

2.    You will also use a smiley-face scale (1-5) to rate your own effort and participation today.
3.    Mention your badge title at the end and write: How did this writing activity help you grow as a (Paragraph Pirate / Grammar Gladiator / Idea Invader)?

7. Appendix

Tiered Worksheet: Paragraph Writing Using the Hamburger Model
Choose the level that matches your confidence or challenge yourself by trying more than one.
 

Level 1 - Foundation (Remember & Understand)

Instructions: Match the paragraph parts with their definition and example.

Draw lines or cut and paste.

Sentence Starters to Use Later:
1.    One reason I…
2.    For example…
3.    This is why I think…

Bonus Challenge: Add one more supporting detail of your own.

Level 2 - Core (Apply & Analyse)

Instructions: Below are four sentences taken from a paragraph about someone’s perfect weekend. They’re out of order! Rearrange them to follow the hamburger model: topic → support → support → conclusion.

•    I get to sleep in, watch anime, and order pizza without worrying about homework.
•    That’s why the weekend is the highlight of my whole week.
•    I think weekends are better than school days.
•    I also hang out online with my friends and play multiplayer games all night.

Think About:
•    Did you start with the topic sentence?
•    Do the details explain or support that topic?
•    Does the final sentence wrap it up?

Level 3 - Extension (Evaluate & Create)

Focus: Write your own paragraph using the hamburger model + apply your badge role.

Instructions: Write a structured paragraph using the hamburger model. Then peer-review a classmate’s paragraph using the rubric.

Writing Prompt:
“My Perfect Weekend.”

Scaffold:
1.    Topic Sentence - What makes your weekend perfect?
2.    Supporting Detail 1 - A specific activity or moment you enjoy
3.    Supporting Detail 2 - Another reason or example
4.    Concluding Sentence - Wrap up your thoughts

Peer Review Rubric:
Swap paragraphs with a classmate and complete the following checklist:

1.    The paragraph has a clear topic sentence
2.    There are at least two supporting details
3.    The conclusion wraps it up clearly
4.    Grammar and punctuation are mostly correct
5.    There is something creative or unique in the paragraph
6.    One kind suggestion I have is: ____________________________ 

8. Lesson Plan Artefacts

9. Comprehensive Bilingual Glossary