Opinion Writing in Kindergarten: Are Rules Important?Lesson sequence by Angel Peavler, KWP RSPDI Team

A mini-unit adapted from NWP i3 College Ready Writers Program materials

2

Writing Reading Argument MINI-UNITEmphasis

# of Lessons

ARGUMENT SKILLS PRODUCT ELEMENTS OF

ARGUMENT CLOSE READING STRATEGIES

RESPONSE TO READINGS TOPICS

Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect Close reading strategies

Writing & talking to develop knowledge on

topic or issue

Forming an opinion

4 Lessons

Entering Skills:• Partner

sharing

Foundational Skills: • Stating an

opinion

Product: One-Page guided response with icons(First I Thought, Then I Learned, Now I Think)

Researching to make an informed opinion

Studying images to form an opinion

Watching videos to form an opinion

Listening to read-aloud to form an opinion

Scaffolded writing:First I Thought, Then I Learned, Now I Think)

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?

6 shared readings (3 related images, 2 videos, trade book)

Mini-Unit Overview

Writing Standards Emphasized in the Mini-Unit

• Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they ….state an opinion …about the topic.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4Introduce research question (inquiry)

First I Thought: Circle an icon in response to research question.

Study first image (whole class); discuss

Study images 2 & 3;Partner share

Then I Learned: Draw or write in response to research question.

Study fourth image (whole class); discuss

Then I Learned: Continue drawing or writing in response to research question.

Watch and discuss video

Write or draw in response (a rule you have at home)

Listen to tradebook.

Add to “Then I Learned” entry. Write or draw what can happen when there are no rules.

Partner sharing

Mini-Unit Sequence

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?What do you think?

First, I thought…

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?Look at this picture. What do you see?

Then, I learned…

Are rules important?

What do you and your partner think happened?

Then, I learned…

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?

Despicable Me Ground Rules

Why do you think rules are made?

Then, I learned…

Why do you think Gru made ground rules?

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?

The Wiggles Rules Video

Then, I learned…

Are rules important?

Then, I learned…

ARE RULES IMPORTANT?What do you think?

Now, I think … Share with a partner or with the class

NEXT STEPS!

What would change for us if we helped make our classroom rules?

What would be different if we called them CLASSROOM PROMISES?

What would we like to PROMISE to ourselves and our classmates?

Are rules important? handout

Are Rules Important? Booklet

Links to Materials and Resources