Your next great Lessn starts here.

Welcome to Opinion Writing! – What is an opinion? – An opinion is what you think or feel about something – Opinions are personal beliefs – Your opinion might be different from your friends, and that’s perfectly fine – Sharing opinions builds confidence – When we tell others what we believe, we learn to speak up – Opinions differ and that’s okay – It’s great to have different opinions because it means everyone is unique | This slide introduces the concept of opinion writing to third-grade students. Begin by explaining that an opinion is what someone believes or feels about a particular topic. Emphasize that everyone has their own opinions and that they are based on personal feelings or experiences. Discuss the importance of sharing opinions and how it helps us to understand each other better and build self-confidence. Highlight that it’s normal and healthy for people to have different opinions and that we should respect them. Encourage students to think about their own opinions on various topics and be ready to express them in writing. This will set the foundation for the upcoming activities where they will practice writing their own opinion pieces.

Understanding Opinions – What is an opinion? – It’s what you think or feel about something. – Opinions vs. Facts – Opinions are not proven, facts are true and proven. – Personal opinions – Your opinion is special, just like you! – Respecting all opinions – We listen and learn from others’ opinions. | This slide introduces the concept of opinions to third-grade students. Begin by explaining that an opinion is a personal belief or feeling about something, and it can be different for everyone. Highlight the difference between opinions and facts, emphasizing that facts are things that can be proven true, while opinions are based on personal feelings and beliefs. Encourage students to think about their own opinions and understand that each person’s opinion is unique and valuable. Finally, stress the importance of respecting everyone’s opinions, even if they differ from our own. This will set the foundation for activities where students will practice expressing their opinions and supporting them with reasons.

Expressing Our Opinions on Foods – Understand what an opinion is – ‘Chocolate vs. Vanilla’: An example – Opinions are what you think is best, like your favorite ice cream flavor! – Share your favorite food opinion – Think about your favorite food and why you love it – Why do you prefer it? – Is it the taste, texture, or a memory associated with it? | This slide is aimed at helping students understand the concept of opinions and how to express them, particularly regarding their favorite foods. Start by explaining that an opinion is what someone thinks or feels about a subject and that everyone has different opinions. Use the ‘Chocolate ice cream is the best!’ vs ‘Vanilla is better!’ example to illustrate how opinions can vary. Encourage students to think about their favorite food and articulate why they prefer it, guiding them to consider aspects like taste, texture, or any special memories that make the food special to them. This activity will help students practice opinion writing by expressing and justifying their preferences, which is a key skill in persuasive communication.

Crafting an Opinion Passage – Begin with a topic sentence – State your opinion clearly, like ‘I believe dogs are great pets.’ – Support with reasons – Explain why you think so, such as ‘Dogs are friendly and loyal.’ – Connect ideas with linking words – Use words like ‘because’, ‘also’, and ‘therefore’ to link your thoughts. – Conclude with a restatement – Wrap up by repeating your opinion in a fresh way. | When teaching students to write an opinion passage, start by explaining the importance of a clear topic sentence that expresses the main opinion. Then, guide them to provide reasons that support their opinion, using personal experiences or facts. Introduce linking words to help them connect their ideas smoothly. Finally, show them how to conclude by restating their opinion in a different way, ensuring their writing is cohesive and persuasive. Encourage students to practice with examples and provide feedback on their use of linking words and the strength of their concluding statements.

Using Linking Words in Opinion Writing – Learn about linking words – ‘Because’, ‘also’, ‘firstly’, ‘secondly’ – Words that connect your ideas and show reasons – Practice using linking words – Try writing sentences with these words – Make your opinion stronger – Linking words help explain why you think something | This slide introduces the concept of linking words, which are crucial for structuring opinions in writing. Explain that these words help to connect ideas and provide reasons in a clear way. Encourage students to practice using ‘because’, ‘also’, ‘firstly’, and ‘secondly’ in sentences to express their thoughts. Emphasize that using these words can make their opinion passages more persuasive and coherent. Provide examples and conduct an activity where students write their own sentences using linking words to reinforce the lesson. This will prepare them for writing more complex opinion pieces.

Let’s Practice Opinion Writing! – Read an opinion passage together – Find the topic sentence – The main idea or argument of the passage – List reasons supporting the opinion – Look for statements that explain ‘why’ – Determine the conclusion – The ending that restates the opinion | This slide is designed for a class activity to practice identifying the elements of opinion writing. Start by reading an example passage together as a class. Then, guide the students to identify the topic sentence, which is the main idea or argument of the passage. Next, help them list the reasons that support the opinion presented in the topic sentence. These reasons should explain ‘why’ the opinion is held. Finally, have the students determine the conclusion, which should restate the opinion and sum up the reasons. Encourage students to discuss their findings and understand how each part contributes to a well-structured opinion passage. For the activity, consider having students work in pairs or small groups to foster collaboration.

Your Turn to Write: Share Your Opinion – Write your own opinion passage – Use linking words to connect ideas – Words like ‘because’, ‘also’, ‘for example’ – Share your writing with a classmate – Discuss what you liked about each passage – Give kind feedback on your partner’s ideas | This slide prompts students to engage in opinion writing by completing a passage with their own ideas. Emphasize the use of linking words to connect their thoughts coherently. After writing, students will pair up to share their passages. Encourage them to listen actively and provide positive feedback to their partners. This activity fosters creativity, critical thinking, and constructive peer review. As a teacher, circulate the room to offer guidance and ensure each student understands the task. Prepare to highlight good examples of linking words and thoughtful opinions in the sharing session.

Class Activity: Opinion Gallery Walk – Post your opinions on the wall – Read classmates’ passages – Discuss the good points – Share what you liked in each opinion – Think about different views – Understand others’ perspectives | This activity is designed to engage students in sharing and reflecting on each other’s work. After writing their opinion passages, students will post their work around the classroom. They will then walk around and read the opinions of their classmates, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Encourage students to think critically about what they read and to discuss the strengths of different passages. This will help them understand the elements of strong opinion writing and appreciate diverse viewpoints. Possible variations of the activity could include voting for the most convincing passage, writing feedback notes, or creating a class book of opinions.

Respecting Opinions in Writing – Importance of respecting opinions – Understanding others’ views helps us grow. – Polite disagreement techniques – Use ‘I’ statements, listen well, and stay calm. – Class sharing on opinion writing – Share examples from your opinion passages. – Reflecting on our learning | This slide aims to wrap up the lesson on opinion writing by emphasizing the value of respecting different viewpoints and expressing disagreements politely. Highlight the significance of empathy and understanding in communication. Teach students to use ‘I’ statements to express their thoughts without dismissing others, to listen actively, and to maintain a calm demeanor during disagreements. Encourage the class to share their opinion passages and what they’ve learned about constructing a well-supported argument. Use this opportunity to reflect on how these skills are not only vital in writing but also in everyday interactions and discussions.