D. Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts · Creating Complex Texts

Organizing Content: Classifying, Sequencing and Outlining

D1.4 D1.5 A1.1About 45 minutes

Learning goals

I can classify my ideas and notes into groups and put them in a logical order.
I can identify which content is relevant to my form and purpose, and leave out what isn't.
I can use tools such as outlines, webs and charts to organize multi-paragraph texts.
I can explain which planning strategies and tools helped me most.

Words to know

classify
To sort ideas or information into groups that belong together.

sequence
To put ideas in an order that makes sense.

subtopic
A smaller part of the main topic, often one paragraph or section.

outline
A plan that lists the main idea, subtopics and details in order.

graphic organizer
A chart or diagram for planning, like a web, a T-chart or a timeline.

text structure
How information is organized: description, sequence, compare and contrast, cause and effect, or problem and solution.

relevant
Connected to your topic and useful for your purpose.

Remember from Grade 5

In Grade 5 you organized multi-paragraph texts with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion, wrote topic sentences, and chose text structures like compare and contrast, and cause and effect.

In Grade 6 you'll organize more information from more sources. You will:

Identify which content is relevant for your form, genre and purpose (and cut what isn't).
Classify it into subtopics.
Sequence subtopics and details in a logical order.
Choose the best tool for the job, and explain why it helped.

Choosing an order

Time order (chronological): stories, biographies, procedures, history.
Order of importance: persuasive texts, often saving the strongest reason for last.
Cause and effect: explanations of why something happens.
Problem and solution: texts that describe a problem and ways to solve it.
General to specific: reports that start with an overview and zoom in.
Compare and contrast: texts that show how two things are alike and different.

Choosing a tool

Tool	Good for
Web or mind map	Classifying ideas into subtopics
Outline	Planning paragraphs in order
Timeline	Events in time order
T-chart or Venn diagram	Compare and contrast; pros and cons
Flow chart	Cause and effect; steps in a process
Storyboard	Videos, comics, slideshows
Sticky notes or index cards	Moving ideas around until the order feels right

A web or tree classifies content: one main idea, three subtopics, and details under each subtopic.

Worked example

Let's classify and sequence research notes

Research question: How do honeybees survive Canadian winters? Notes (in random order): (a) bees cluster in a ball inside the hive; (b) the queen stays in the warm centre; (c) bees store honey in summer and fall; (d) bees shiver their muscles to make heat; (e) honey is their winter food; (f) bees can sting; (g) bees take short flights on warm days to go to the bathroom outside the hive; (h) worker bees rotate between the cold outside of the cluster and the warm inside.

Cut what isn't relevant: (f) is true, but it doesn't help answer the question.
Classify into three subtopics: Food: (c), (e). Staying warm: (a), (b), (d), (h). Staying clean: (g).
Sequence subtopics: Food first (it starts in summer and fall), then Staying warm (the main winter challenge), then Staying clean.
Order the details in Staying warm: (a) the cluster, (d) shivering makes heat, (h) workers take turns on the outside, (b) the queen stays in the centre.

An outline with an introduction, three body paragraphs (Food → Staying warm → Staying clean) and a conclusion. One note was cut because it wasn't relevant.

The bee notes classified into three subtopics and put in a logical order. Note (f) is true, but it doesn't answer the question, so it is cut.

Worked example

Let's match the tool to the text

Which tool would you use to plan each text? 1) A biography of a Canadian athlete. 2) An essay on whether your school should have a longer lunch. 3) A two-minute how-to video.

1) A biography follows a life in order, so use a timeline.
2) A persuasive essay needs reasons, evidence and the other side, so use an outline or a pros and cons T-chart, ordered by importance.
3) A video needs shots in order with words and pictures, so use a storyboard.

Timeline, outline/T-chart, storyboard. The best tool matches the form and the text structure.

Reflect on your tools

After planning, ask yourself:

Which tool helped me most? Why?
Which one didn't work for this text, and what would I try instead?

Example: Sticky notes helped me because I could move my reasons around until the strongest one was last. A web didn't help with order. Knowing what works for you makes you a stronger writer.

Just for fun

Sticky notes are the only writing tool that lets your ideas play musical chairs. When the music stops, the strongest reason gets the last seat!

Hands-on activity

Kitchen-table sticky-note outline

You need: sticky notes or small slips of paper, a pencil, and a table or wall.

Pick a topic you know well, like How to get ready for a winter camping trip or My favourite sport.
Write one fact or idea per sticky note. Aim for 12 to 15 notes.
Read them all. Remove any that are not relevant to your purpose.
Classify: group the notes into three or four subtopics. Write a heading note for each group.
Sequence: arrange the groups and the notes inside each group in a logical order.
Copy your arrangement into an outline.
Reflect: write one sentence about which step helped you most.

Your turn

What does classify mean?

Which order is best for a biography?

Which tool would you use to plan a comparison of soccer and hockey?

Cut the note that isn't relevant to Why do leaves change colour in fall?: A) Leaves stop making green chlorophyll. B) Yellow and orange colours were there all along. C) Raking leaves is good exercise.

Name the text structure: Plastic is piling up in landfills. Here are three ways our school could use less.

What is a subtopic?

Write a reflection sentence about a planning tool.

More practice: warm-up

What does sequence mean?

Which tool shows events in time order?

Name the three main parts of a multi-paragraph essay.

Which tool helps you plan a video?

Which order often saves the strongest reason for last?

More practice: on your own

Classify these into two groups and name each group: mittens, sunscreen, toque, sunhat, scarf, sandals.

Why might a flow chart be a good tool for explaining the water cycle?

A report on wolves has these paragraphs in order: Diet, Introduction, Where they live, Conclusion, Pack life. Fix the order and explain.

Your outline for a story has 10 events. Your story must be short. How do you decide what to cut?

Write a reflection comparing two tools you've used.

Challenge

Organize these notes for a report on Lacrosse in Canada. Cut what's not relevant and give three subtopics: (a) lacrosse was developed by Indigenous peoples; (b) lacrosse is played with a stick that has a net pocket; (c) the Haudenosaunee Nationals compete internationally; (d) basketball was invented by a Canadian; (e) there are field and box versions; (f) players catch and throw a ball with the stick.

Explain how the same information could be organized two ways for two forms: a news article about a school concert and a story about the concert.

A student says, I just start writing and figure it out as I go. Give one benefit of that approach and one benefit of planning with an outline.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which tool is best for planning a compare-and-contrast text?

What should you do with a note that is true but not relevant?

Which order fits a procedure?

What does classify mean?

Which text structure fits Why did the river flood in the spring?

Which is a useful reflection on planning?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (D1.4, D1.5): Grade 6 students identify relevant content and classify and sequence ideas and information for their chosen form, using appropriate tools, then explain which strategies and tools helped them most. This builds communication and critical thinking, transferable skills in Strand A (A1.1).

How to help at home:

Sorting everyday things (groceries, photos, recipes) is classifying. Talk about the categories.
Before a trip or event, make a quick outline or timeline together.
Ask: Which planning tool worked best for you? Why?

Common difficulties:

Keeping everything. Children often want to include every fact. Ask: Does this help answer your question?
Groups that overlap. Help name each group clearly.
Skipping the plan for long texts. Even a quick outline saves time later.