Opinion Writing in the Fifth Grade

12323234 Paragraph Template

In keeping up with CCSS, we are currently in our mini-Opinion Writing unit.  We have been practicing writing our opinions, by keeping our ideas brief and to the point (in most cases).  Our opinions have been shared on the topic of what our Social Studies project should be on (Pilgrims or John White) and whether or not students should climb into random holes they find in the ground (kind of goofy).  

Opinion Writing Template

For teaching opinion writing, we have been using a "Step Up to Writing" model/strategy for building a brief and to the point paragraph.  In fifth grade, we call it a 1,2,3,2,3,2,3,4 Paragraph.  Check out this simple Google Presentation to get the general idea: 12323234 Paragraph.

When my students use 12323234 paragraphs, they initially have access to an organizer (either paper or digital).  They simply fill these in, and then proceed to writing a real paragraph either digitally or by hand.  

Transitions Poster

For our current opinion piece, my students are using the following organizer/worksheet: Opinion - Hot Chocolate or Soup?  I want to figure out how to make the previously mentioned document more of a "fill in the blank" style document, so that it is more digitally friendly.  If you have ideas, please share!  In the pictures below, you can also see students using a transition words poster to "beef" their paragraphs up.  Check out our writing session from today.