Opinion Writing in Kindergarten Are Rules Important Lesson

Opinion Writing in Kindergarten: Are Rules Important? Lesson sequence by Angel Peavler, KWP RSPDI Team A mini-unit adapted from NWP i 3 College Ready Writers Program materials

Mini-Unit Overview Writing Argument MINI-UNIT Emphasis ARGUMENT SKILLS PRODUCT ELEMENTS OF ARGUMENT Reading CLOSE READING STRATEGIES RESPONSE TO READINGS Close reading strategies Writing & talking to develop knowledge on topic or issue TOPICS # of Lessons Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect Forming an opinion 4 Lessons Entering Skills: • Partner sharing Foundational Skills: • Stating an opinion Researching Product: Oneto make an Page guided informed response with opinion icons (First I Thought, Then I Learned, Now I Think) Studying images to form an opinion Watching videos 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) Listening to read-aloud to form an opinion 2

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.

Mini-Unit Sequence Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Introduce research question (inquiry) Study fourth image (whole class); discuss Watch and discuss video 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. Then I Learned: Continue drawing or writing in response to research question. Day 4 Listen to tradebook. Write or draw in response (a rule you have at home) Add to “Then I Learned” entry. Write or draw what can happen when there are no rules. Partner sharing

ARE RULES IMPORTANT? What do you think?

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? Why do you think rules are made? Despicable Me Ground Rules Why do you think Gru made ground rules? Then, I learned…

ARE RULES IMPORTANT? The Wiggles Rules Video Then, I learned…

Then, I learned…

ARE RULES IMPORTANT? What do you think? s s a l c e th h t i w r or Now, I think … w e r a h S tne r a p ith a

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?

Links to Materials and Resources Are rules important? handout Are Rules Important? Booklet