This opinion writing unit will use the skills students learned in the last couple of months about learning about voice to use that voice to share an opinion.
The mentor texts for this opinion writing unit have strong themes. If you haven’t read Hey, Little Ant, you will be in for a big surprise. To step on an ant or not? This is a great book to showcase forming an opinion. Once they have experienced the Ant story, students will then debate what the perfect pet is. Do students agree with each other?
The Perfect Pet is a hilarious story about a girl who wanted a pet but her parents say, “No way!” She tries asking for all sorts of pets and they always have a reason why it would not make a good pet. Finally, the girl finds a bug. The bug named Doug becomes her friend. At first her parents are disgusted, then they accept it and the bug becomes her forever friend.
Henry and Leo is a story about a stuffed toy that is like a friend to Henry but no one understands. Then it goes missing. What really happened? Although it comes back, students are left to wonder, imagine and come to their own conclusions. Perfect for the opinion writing experience.
The last story is about a gardener that creates topiary masterpieces that influences not only a child but a whole community to appreciate nature. The Night Gardner is the perfect segway to next month’s Earth day studies.
In the March Hooked on Writing, students will be involved in group, partner and individual writing lessons. Students will participate in a debate, run for Best Class pet and many other engaging lessons that will have your kids Hooked on Writing in no time. While each unit can be used as a stand alone unit for what ever concept you are teaching, it also works nicely as a complete unit that scaffolds on each other to make a cohesive, highly engaging unit.
Hooked on Writing Year Long Unit is now available. Click here to see more.
There is also a year long overview you can view here.
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