Draft Doctor Teacher Guide Draft Doctor
Teacher Facilitation Guide
15-20 Min Intervention
Learning Objective
Students will learn to expand "thin" informational sentences into "thick" paragraphs by connecting evidence to specific explanations using the Draft Doctor technique.
The "Simple vs. Super" Goal
"Patriots were people who wanted freedom." → "Patriots were colonists like merchants and apprentices who fought for liberty because they believed it was unfair to pay taxes without a vote."
Materials Needed
Elaboration Engine Worksheet
Sentence Stretchers Anchor Chart
Student Note-Catcher (Patriots)
Instructional Pacing
1
The Hook: "Thin vs. Thick" (3 Mins)
Write a thin sentence on a whiteboard: "Patriots were people who didn't like taxes." Ask: "Does this tell me WHO they were? Or WHAT exactly they did about it?" Explain that today we are "Draft Doctors" — we take sick, thin sentences and make them healthy and strong with details.
2
The Technique: Sentence Stretchers (5 Mins)
Introduce the Elaboration Connectors . These are bridges that connect a fact to a deeper thought:
"This shows that..." (Connects evidence to an opinion)
"For instance..." (Connects a big idea to a specific example)
3
Guided Practice: The Expansion Lab (10 Mins)
Use the Elaboration Engine Worksheet . Have students look at their note-catchers.
Prompt: "Our notes say Patriots included 'apprentices and journeymen.' How can we add that to our sentence about who the Patriots were?"
Guided Drafting: Help them combine the fact with an elaboration starter. "Patriots were all different kinds of people. For instance, journeymen and apprentices worked side by side to speak out for liberty."
4
The "Closing Wrap" (2 Mins)
Remind students: A great closing sentence doesn't just repeat the focus—it summarizes the BIG IDEA. If our focus was "Who were Patriots?", our closing should feel like a finished thought: "By standing together, these diverse colonists proved they were ready to rule themselves."
Teacher Talk: Prompting Elaboration
Wait! "Can you tell me more about that?"
Evidence? "Where in the text did you see that?"
Why? "Why does that detail matter to your focus?"
Connect! "How can we use 'This means that' here?"
Elaboration Engine Worksheet Elaboration Engine
Power up your Patriot paragraphs!
Name:
Date:
The Mission
Use your note-catcher to take these "thin" sentences and stretch them out with specific evidence and explanations .
1
Stretch the "Who"
Thin Sentence: "Patriots were people from all over."
Add details from 'Colonial Voices':
Try starting with: "Patriots were all different kinds of people, including..."
2
Stretch the "Belief"
Thin Sentence: "They didn't want to pay tax on tea."
Add explanation (Why does this matter?):
Try using a "Connector": "This shows that..." or "Because of this..."
3
The Ultimate Patriot Sentence
Combine a famous Patriot from your notes with what they did to create one super-detailed sentence.
Checklist: Specific Name Quote or Action Connectors
Remember: Every piece of evidence needs a "brain bridge" to explain it!
Sentence Stretchers Anchor Chart Sentence Stretchers
Don't just state it... EXPLAIN it!
Give an Example
"For instance..."
"One example is..."
"In the text, it says..."
"Specifically..."
Explain WHY
"This shows that..."
"This means that..."
"The reason for this is..."
"This is important because..."
See it in Action!
Thin (Weak)
"Patriots didn't like the British King."
Thick (Strong!)
"Patriots didn't like the British King. Specifically, they didn't think he should tax them without a vote. This shows that they valued their liberty."
Be a Draft Doctor — Expand your thinking!
Detail Detective Cards Detail Detective Cards
Hands-On Evidence Sorting Activity
Teacher Prep
Cut out these cards. Have students match the THIN CLAIM (red) to its THICK EVIDENCE (blue) and then the ELABORATION BRIDGE (green). Students should read them aloud as one "Super Paragraph" once matched.
Thin Claim
Video games can be good for your brain.
Thick Evidence
Many games require players to solve difficult puzzles or react quickly to move to the next level.
Elaboration Bridge
This shows that gamers are practicing problem-solving skills while they play.
Thin Claim
Dogs are very helpful animals.
Thick Evidence
Service dogs can lead people who are blind or alert owners when they are about to get sick.
Elaboration Bridge
This is important because it proves that dogs are more than just pets; they are partners.
Thin Claim
Recess helps students learn better.
Thick Evidence
Studies show that kids who run and play for 20 minutes can focus more easily when they get back to their desks.
Elaboration Bridge
One example is how a quick game of tag can "reset" your brain for a hard math lesson.
Thin Claim
Pizza is the most popular school lunch.
Thick Evidence
In a recent school survey, 9 out of 10 students chose pepperoni pizza over turkey sandwiches.
Elaboration Bridge
The reason for this is likely the combination of melted cheese and a crispy crust.
Elaboration Expo Worksheet ELABORATION EXPO
Topic: My Secret Superpower
Case No.
002
Detective:
Date:
THE SIMPLE START
Choose one superpower from the list below and write a simple sentence about it.
Flight Invisibility Super Strength Time Travel
ADD EVIDENCE
What is ONE specific thing you could do with this power? Be a Detail Detective!
Crucial Step
BUILD THE BRIDGE
Now, explain WHY that evidence matters. Why is that power so useful?
CHOOSE YOUR BRIDGE STARTER:
"This shows that..."
"This is important..."
THE SUPER CLOSER
Restate your focus in a NEW way!
Patriot Puzzle Rebuild Patriot Paragraph Puzzle
Rebuild the History!
Teacher: Cut out these cards. Students must "upgrade" the THIN PARAGRAPH by inserting the correct EVIDENCE and ELABORATION cards in the right order to answer the focus question: Who were the Patriots and what did they believe?
The "Thin" Base
"In the American Revolution, Patriots were people who wanted to be free. They were all different types of people. They didn't want to pay taxes to the King. By standing together, they proved they were ready to rule themselves."
Evidence Piece A
"They were journeymen, apprentices, and merchants working side by side."
Fits after: "All different types of people."
Elaboration Piece B
"Specifically, they felt it was unfair to pay taxes without having a vote in government."
Fits after: "Didn't want to pay taxes."
Evidence Piece C
"Famous Patriots like John Adams were strong supporters of independence."
Fits after: "Wanted to be free."
Elaboration Piece D
"This shows that even ordinary workers were willing to risk everything for liberty."
Fits after: "Working side by side."
Paragraph Power-Up Worksheet Mission Accomplished
Patriot Paragraph Power-Up
Master Writer:
Date:
The Focus Question
Who were the Patriots, and what did they believe?
Your Super Paragraph
Intro Evidence Elaboration Closing
Don't forget to use your "Sentence Stretchers" like "This shows that..."
Elaboration Mastery Checklist Elaboration Mastery
Self-Assessment Checklist
Level: EXPERT
The Hook & Focus
My paragraph starts with a clear introductory sentence and states exactly who the Patriots were.
Specific Evidence
I included names (like John Adams) or specific groups (like apprentices) from the text notes.
"In the text..." "For example..."
The "Brain Bridge" (Elaboration)
I explained WHY my evidence is important or what it shows about the Patriots' beliefs.
"This shows that..." "This means that..."
The Super Closer
My ending sentence wraps up my thoughts and doesn't just repeat my opening sentence.
My Favorite Sentence:
Writer Rank
ELABORATION EXPERT
Mission Accomplished • Intervention Complete
