Opinion Writing

Teaching opinion writing can be a lot of fun in First Grade. First graders have LOTS of opinions, and they love to share them!

Here are a few ideas that have helped me to teach opinion writing to first graders.

Start by teaching students how to write a topic sentence. I have found that having an anchor chart with sentence starters for students to refer to is super helpful. I like to create the chart in front of the students. It might look something like this:

Once the chart is completed, hang it in the room for students to be able to refer to throughout the year.  

Don't rush it! At the beginning of the year, I like for students to be able to write a topic sentence and two reason sentences. I like to do modeled writing in front of the kids before I ask them to do it on their own. If three sentences are too much for your students, then start with a topic sentence with one reason sentence. You can also teach students to write one opinion sentence with "because" as a linking word.

As the year progresses, we will add a third reason.  

By the middle to end of the year, we will be able to write a five-sentence paragraph with a topic sentence, three reasons, and a closing sentence.

Usually, the hardest part for first graders is thinking of good reasons for their opinions.  I love using a “Discussion Web” to help develop this skill.

This is a simple strategy to use.  I like to gather students around me by the easel.  Start by having a question in the middle of your chart, and two columns on the sides.  It should be a question that can have strong opinions on both sides.  The chart above has More/Less as headings but you could also have Yes/No, or other headings as needed. Then lead the class in a discussion of both view points. List student responses on the chart.  Then, students are ready to complete an opinion writing piece on the question.

Last, have fun with opinion writing!  There are so many great topics students can write about.  

These digital prompts are perfect for displaying on your interactive whiteboard. You can also print them in black and white to use them as worksheets.

I have created a free chart to get your started. You can download it here.

Looking for more great writing ideas? Check out my Writing Interactive Notebook for First Grade.

Christmas in July!!!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July and are enjoying some much needed R and R. 

I am joining up today with other I Teach K-2 bloggers to bring you lots of treats this month!!!  We decided it was the perfect time to celebrate Christmas in July!  

Let's start with a freebie!  All of the bloggers have a special freebie for you on their blogs!  Just follow the links at the end of the post. 

You can click here to grab this freebie.

Here is the freebie I am sharing!  It is so great for the beginning of the year.  It has two activities, a "Find Someone Who" with lots of picture clues that is perfect for primary student

 An interest inventory is also included.  

Use it to get to know more about your students the first week of school!

Next, all the I Teach K-2 bloggers are throwing a sale!  I know many of you are already prepping for back to school.  Here is a great chance to head to our stores and stock up!

The sale is running now through July 9.

We are also having gift card giveaways! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win these AMAZING prizes!

Enjoy!  

Jaymie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Teaching Theme in First Grade

Teaching theme can be a lot of fun in First Grade.  I like to explain theme or central message to firsties this way, "What do you think the author wants you to learn from this story that you can use in your life?"  It can be tricky, and takes LOTS of practice!  Usually the students will say something very literal from the story at first.  For example, in the story The Little Red Hen they might at first say something like "How to grow wheat!" But sometimes a student will say something so insightful it makes your heart flutter!  So...how do we get them to that point!

I think a good place to start is telling students what the theme of a story is, and then modeling finding evidence in the story to support the theme. Here is an example from The Little Red Hen.

 After reading aloud the story, I would display a graphic organizer like the one above, that already has the theme listed.  I would read the story again, and stop along the way listing some events from the story that support this theme.  At the end of the lesson the chart would look like this:

The next day, I would start with a similar chart (with the theme listed) for a new story.  This time, students would help me find the evidence to support the listed theme.

 I think folk tales are a great place to start.  Here are some ideas of folktales and themes:
The Three Little Pigs- Take the time to do things the right way
Chicken Little/Henny Penny- Don't believe everything someone says, or Think things through before jumping to conclusions
City Mouse, Country Mouse- Home is the best place to be

After we have practiced together several times, then I would have students complete a graphic organizer on their own (with the theme already listed).  Over time, with lots of modeling and guided practice, I will have students begin to determine the theme on their own.  This is a skill that takes lots of time to develop, and we will revisit it over and over again throughout the year.  Also, I think it is important to recognize that there can be more than one theme in a book, there isn't necessarily one "right" answer.

Another fun way to teach this skill is to choose a variety of books centered around one theme.

The books above all center around the theme of "Being different is good" or "Just be yourself".

Here are some additional books that I think are great for teaching theme.

Charlie the Caterpillar- like The Ugly Duckling, theme of not judging someone by how the look
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble- theme of being happy with what you already have
Hooway for Wodney Wat- theme of even though you are small, you can do great things
The Principal's New Clothes- theme of don't follow the crowd if you know it isn't right
Officer Buckle and Gloria- theme of the importance of working together

I've also included some graphic organizers for your students to use.

Download Theme Worksheets

Do you have any books you love to use to teach theme?

6 Tips for Teaching First Grade Writing

#1- Write in front of the kids daily- I know for many of us the thought of writing in front of the kids is terrifying!  Most of us weren’t English majors, and I think it brings back memories  of red ink when we were kids.  I, for one, am the queen of run-on sentences.  Also, I LOVE commas and exclamation marks!!! I am sure all my “Grammar” friends are cringing right now as they read this! But here is the truth, they are 6 and 7 years old!  We have tons of writing knowledge to share with them.  When we write in front of them it provides the perfect opportunity for us to “think-aloud” and show how writers work.  I promise, they will think you are a FANTASTIC writer.  They will probably ask you how you became such a good writer. #2- Write on chart paper-(I like the smaller size)

It is tempting to write on a dry erase board, document camera, etc.  Don’t do it!  Chart paper is perfect!  I like to gather students around my easel. There are many advantages to using chart paper.  First, it has lines so we can model correct letter formation.  Next, it is large enough for all students to see easily.  Most importantly, it preserves your work.  I have had numerous times where I wrote something on the board and erased it, only to wish I had been able to access it again later in the year.  #3– Make copies of students work Start keeping copies of students work (it can be a digital copy).  When a student does something really great or their writing provides an opportunity for a teaching point, ask them if you can make a copy of it to use to help you teach writing.  Keep a wide variety, and be sure to ask each student for at least one piece during the year (they will feel so proud!). The kids can learn SO much from other first graders work.  It can be a great way to show students what “voice” sounds like, it is also great for revising and editing lessons. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Remove student names, especially if you are using it for a revising or editing lesson.  Don’t use work from students of the current year, unless it is to show something really wonderful, and you have their permission to share it THIS year.

#4– Allow plenty of writing time

First graders....sometimes they are like turtles!!!  For some students it takes a while to get started and to come up with ideas.  Don’t try to “cram-in” a lesson.  Make sure you have plenty of time for them to write and accomplish something.  I like to have about 5-10 minutes for me to do the modeled writing.  Then I like at least 20 uninterrupted minutes for them to write.  Also, the students have to work the WHOLE time!  If they finish writing they can: add to the words, add to the pictures, start a new piece.  For students who don’t finish in that time, I usually have them continue to work during centers/intervention time at the end of the day.

Students try the word in the left column, I write it correctly in the right hand column.

#5-Keep detailed notes

Keep an anecdotal note sheet on a clipboard.  I like to circulate around the room while students are writing.  It allows me to check in with students who need help with ideas, help them correctly spell a word, have “mini-conferences” with students, etc.  As I rotate around, I like to take some short notes about what students are doing well, what they are struggling with, who is off-task, etc.  These notes give me powerful information I can use to assess student growth and plan for future mini-lessons.  They are SUPER helpful when completing quarterly report cards, and planning for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

I like to keep a simple form like this.  List student names along the left-hand column, then make lots of copies.  Keep notes in the right hand column about each student.  Start a new sheet each week. (Keep the old ones in a notebook to be able to reference.

#6-Provide time for students to share

First graders LOVE to share their work!  It is very time consuming, but also very motivating to students.  You do not have to have every student share in front of the entire class, or do you need to share every project.  You can have students share in small groups of three to four (I usually use their table group), partner share, or have a rotation schedule for students to share in front of the class.  One fun strategy is “Inside/Outside Circle”-Divide the class into two groups, one group makes a circle with everyone facing out, the second group forms a circle around that group, facing in.  Now you have students paired up facing each other.  Give students 3 minutes to share, then have the outside circle rotate to the left, and students have a new partner to share with.  Students can rotate 3-4 times.   

I hope this gives you some helpful tips for teaching first grade writing! I have also included a free download for you: 30 Writing Lessons for the Beginning of First Grade.  Click here to download the list and the writing notes form. 

Are you looking for more first grade writing ideas?  

Check out my Interactive Writing Notebook for First Grade.

Interactive Writing Notebook for First Grade

Today I wanted to share my Interactive Writing Notebook for First Grade.   It is jam-packed with writing projects for first grade.  The activities are Common Core aligned, rigorous, and FUN for students.

The notebook covers numerous writing and grammar skills that are taught in first grade: beginning sentence writing, labeling, brainstorming ideas, writing narratives, informative writing, opinion writing, using transition words, how-to writing projects, letter writing, publishing, punctuation, questions, common and proper nouns, editing, adjectives, and poetry.

The notebook starts with ideas for the beginning of the year.  Who? Doing What? is a great place to start the year in first grade.  It helps students to learn to write telling sentences that contain both a naming and telling part.

Students write a naming part for the sentence under the first flap, and a telling part under the second flap.

 Once students have mastered telling sentences with naming and telling parts, we move on to Who? Doing What? Where? which helps them to add a bit more detail to the sentences

Labeling is a great non-fiction project for the beginning of first grade.

Writing about their own lives is a great place for students to start for narrative writing. 

 First Graders often struggle with ideas to get them started.

First graders also love to do opinion writing!  I love that this project has three levels.  I start the year with students writing a topic sentence, and two reason sentences.

Then we progress to a topic sentence with three reasons.

By the middle to end of the year, we can also add a closing sentence!  The great part- we have taught the students to write a five sentence paragraph!

The notebook contains 12 different opinion topics that appeal to first graders, plus a blank template for creating additional opinion topics.

I'll be back soon to share more ideas from the notebook. If you would like to learn more about it, I have created a sampler pack of the notebook that you can download free from my TPT store.