Overview: Students will review how to use Google Docs and type their final draft. Students will also learn how to insert a picture into a Google Document to support their opinion. In addition, students will share their writing using an author’s chair. Student writing will then be hung in the hallway.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. I can write an opinion piece and support my opinion with reasons.

Overview: Students will begin to explore opinion pieces by reviewing the difference between a fact and opinion.Building Into W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.Building Into: I can write opinion pieces and support my opinion with reasons.

Overview: Students will brainstorm and then choose a topic for their opinion paper. Students will then brainstorm a list of reasons that support their topic.Building Into W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (I can write opinion pieces and support my opinion with reasons.)W.3.1b: Provide reasons that support the opinion. (I can provide reasons that support the opinion.)

Overview: Students will craft a strong opinion using the topic they chose on Day 2, the list of reasons they brainstormed on Day 2, and the stoplight model.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (I can write an opinion piece and support my opinion with reasons.)W.3.1a: Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. (I can introduce a topic by stating an opinion and using an organizational structure to list reasons.)

Overview: Students will use the OREO strategy to outline their opinion paper. Outlines will include the students opinion statement, 3 reasons, and an example or detail for each reason.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (I can write an opinion and support my opinion with reasons.)W.3.1b: Provide reasons that support the opinion. (I can provide reasons tht support my opinion.)

Overview: Students will write the introduction to their opinion paper. Students will choose a strategy to hook their reader and then rewrite their opinion statement as their introduction statement.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (I can write an opinion piece and support my opinion with reasons.)W.3.1a: Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. (I can introduce a topic by stating an opinion and suing and organizational structure to list reasons.)

Overview: Students will write the body of their rough draft following their OREO prewriting page and transition words and phrases.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. I can write opinion pieces and support my opinion with reasons.W.3.1b: Provide reasons that support the opinion. I can provide reasons that support the opinion.W.3.1c: Use linking words and phrases (eg. because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reason. I can use linking words and phrases to connect opinions and reasons.

Overview: Students will use COPS and the focused edit strategy to practice editing and then edit their opinion paper.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. I can write opinion pieces and support my opinion with reasons.W.3.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 3 here.) I can develop and strenghten my writing by planning, revising, and editing with the help of my peers and an adult. 

Overview: Students will use a focused revising choice board to guide peer writing conferences. The teacher and students will use a focused revising choice board to guide teacher writing conferences.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. I can write an opinion piece and support my opinion with reasons.W.3.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 3 here.) I can develop and strengthen my writing by planning, revising, and editing with the help of my peers and an adult.

This is the outline for a third grade writing unit on writing opinion (persuasive) papers. The lessons and materials are linked to the outline, but they also uploaded in a PDF format as sperate lessons in WISELearn. 

Through a series of three learning experiences, taking place across multiple weeks, students will participate in inquiry-based learning about the county in which they live and learn. Students will write informative pieces to teach others about the natural and cultural communities of Adams County.

In this eight-week module, students explore the questions: “Who is the wolf in fiction?” and “Who is the wolf in fact?” They begin by analyzing how the wolf is characterized in traditional stories, folktales, and fables. Then they research real wolves by reading informational text. Finally, for their performance task, students combine their knowledge of narratives with their research on wolves to write a realistic narrative about wolves.

The Persuasion Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive (opinion/argument) essay or debate. Students begin by determining their goal. They then identify three reasons to support their argument, and three facts or examples to support each reason. The map graphic in the upper right-hand corner allows students to move around the map, instead of having to work in a linear fashion. The finished map can be saved, e-mailed, or printed. The students can then take this map and transform it into a written persuasive piece.