Writing Lesson Plan · Grades 5–8
Conclusion Paragraph Lesson
Teach students how to write essay conclusions that bring real closure: restate the grabber, summarize body paragraphs, and finish with a strong feeling/prediction sentence. Includes the full I-FREE-T/C essay outline.
Subject
Writing
Grades
Grades 5–8
Skill Focus
Conclusion paragraph, essay writing
Lesson Length
30–45 minutes
Lesson Overview
Three Parts of a Strong Conclusion
An essay conclusion isn’t just a single closing sentence — it’s an entire paragraph that pulls the whole piece together. Strong conclusions have three jobs: restate the grabber (in different words), summarize each body paragraph (one to two sentences each), and finish with a feeling/prediction sentence that leaves the reader thinking.
This lesson teaches all three parts with clear examples. Students practice restating grabbers from a previous introductory-paragraph lesson, then learn the 1-2-sentences-per-body-paragraph rule for summaries, and finally see how a feeling/prediction sentence acts as “the bow on a gift.” Page 3 includes the complete I-FREE-T/C essay outline that ties together introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs.
How to Use This Lesson
1. Read through page 1 (Conclusion Paragraph – Part 1). Walk students through the example of restating a grabber and have them practice with five of their own grabbers from the introductory-paragraph lesson.
2. Move to page 2 (Conclusion Paragraph – Part 2). Cover the summary rule (1-2 sentences per body paragraph) and the feeling/prediction sentence with the anorexia awareness example.
3. Distribute the I-FREE-T/C outline on page 3 as a take-home reference. Students use it to plan their next essay from grabber to conclusion.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages
Conclusion Paragraph Lesson
Three-page printable: Conclusion Paragraph Parts 1 & 2, plus a complete I-FREE-T/C essay outline. Grades 5–8.
Keep Exploring Writing
Conclusion Paragraph Quiz
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What is the purpose of a conclusion paragraph?
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Which phrase is a good way to signal a conclusion?
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What should a conclusion paragraph NOT do?
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A conclusion paragraph should restate the thesis in:
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Which is the best closing sentence for an essay about the importance of reading?
Teaching Guide
How to Teach Paragraph Writing
Read the full teaching guide for paragraph writing — the three-part structure, teaching sequence, common student mistakes, and the practice routines that build fluency.
Want teaching strategies for this lesson?
Read: Teaching Conclusion Paragraphs
How to teach conclusion paragraphs so students finish strong — the three-move frame, sample conclusions, and the phrases to retire from student writing.