What you need
a 5‑box organizer (or draw one),
pencil,
eraser,
highlighter.
Steps
Pick a brief topic.
Something you know well: a pet, recess game, plant life cycle, favorite book.
Write the main idea (Topic Sentence) in the top box.
Ask: Who/what? What’s my point?
Sentence starters: “One activity I love is…”, “Monarchs change as they…”
Brainstorm facts. Choose your best three details.
Jot 4–6 ideas on scrap paper; circle the 3 that match your main idea best. Put one in each Detail box.
Add a “because/example” to each detail.
Under each detail, add 4–8 words that explain it: a reason, example, or tiny story.
(Detail = “Teams are fair” → add: “we switch taggers every round.”)
Plan transition words.
Write one by each detail: first, next, also, another, finally, in addition.
Draft a strong closing sentence.
Bottom box: restate the main idea or give a tip/feeling.
Starters: “That’s why…,” “Because of these reasons…,” “So, …”
Quick check (fix in the boxes before writing).
Every detail matches the topic.
Details are in the best order.
Each detail has an example.
Topic + closing sound different but connected.
Turn your boxes into a paragraph.
Write the topic sentence.
Add 1–2 sentences for each detail (use transitions!).
End with your closing sentence.
An example organizer
Topic: My favorite recess game is tag.
Detail 1: First, everyone runs a lot — “great exercise.”
Detail 2: Next, it’s fair — “we switch taggers every round.”
Detail 3: Also, anyone can join — “we teach new rules fast.”
Closing: That’s why tag is the best game at recess for our class.
Resulting paragraph
My favorite recess game is tag. First, everyone runs a lot, so it’s great exercise. Next, the game is fair because we switch taggers every round. Also, anyone can join since we teach new friends the rules quickly. That’s why tag is the best game at recess for our class.
Fast self‑check for students
✔ Clear topic sentence
✔ Three related details with examples
✔ Transitions used
✔ Closing restates the big idea
Sentence starters for each box
Here are printable five-box paragraph planning template with built-in sentence starters for elementary students.
Paragraph Planning Graphic Organizer
Topic: _______________________________________________
Box 1 – Topic Sentence (Introduce the big idea)
Sentence starters:
One thing I enjoy is…
My favorite ______ is…
I want to tell you about…
Did you know that…?
Write here: _____________________________________________
Box 2 – Detail 1 (First reason/detail)
Sentence starters:
First,…
To begin with,…
The first reason is…
Extra words for explaining:
because…
for example…
such as…
Write here: _____________________________________________
Box 3 – Detail 2 (Next reason/detail)
Sentence starters:
Next,…
Another reason is…
Also,…
Extra words for explaining:
because…
for example…
such as…
Write here: _____________________________________________
Box 4 – Detail 3 (Final reason/detail)
Sentence starters:
Finally,…
Last but not least,…
The best thing is…
Extra words for explaining:
because…
for example…
such as…
Write here: _____________________________________________
Box 5 – Closing Sentence (Wrap it up)
Sentence starters:
That’s why…
For these reasons,…
Overall,…
In conclusion,…
Write here: _____________________________________________
