Susan Reyna

ELE 301-02: Dr. Conte

Edgewood Elementary School, 5th grade
Lesson Plan #4- Writing an Opinion Piece

1. How to Write an Opinion Piece, 5th grade
2. Lesson Essential Questions: What is an opinion? What is opinion writing? What
are some examples of transitional words/phrases to use when writing an
opinion piece? What are possible ways to publish opinion writing (i.e., essays,
reviews, opinion editorials)
3. Standards:
NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1 Write
opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons
and information.
PA Core Curriculum Content Standards: CC.1.4.5G Write opinion pieces on
topics or texts.
4. Time: 40 minutes
5. A. Learning Objectives:
a. SWBAT introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create
an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to
support the writers purpose.
i. SWBAT provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by
facts, examples, and details.
ii. SWBAT link opinion and reasons using with transitional words,
phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).
iii. SWBAT provide a concluding statement or section related to
the opinion presented.
B. Assessments:
During the lesson beginning, the teacher will introduce the topic of
opinion writing by demonstrating an excerpt of a movie review on
Frozen, a well-known Disney film that was recently released.
o Students will be asked to identify the authors opinions on the
movie.
o Students will be asked to share their opinions on the movie.
The teacher will demonstrate a sample of an opinion piece to the
students. Students will be asked to identify the authors opinion(s), reasons,
facts/examples used to support reasons, and any transitional words that
were used.
Students will write a short opinion piece to an assigned essay question.
Students will be asked to include a clear opening sentence to state their
opinion, include a minimum of three reasons to support their opinion,
provide examples/facts/details, and a strong concluding statement that
re-states their opinion.
o A rubric will be used to grade the quality of their work.

6. Materials:
a. Poster - Writing an Opinion Piecethink OREO!
b. Handouts:
i. What is opinion writing?
ii. Opinion transitions
iii. O-R-E-O graphic organizer (used for pre-writing)
iv. Revise & edit checklist
c. Sample of an opinion piece (i.e., review, essay, opinion editorial)
d. Writing rubric
e. Loose-leaf paper
7. Prior Knowledge:
a. Students should already have an understanding of what an opinion is.
b. Students should have prior knowledge of transitional words/phrases.
c. Students should have a basic understanding of essay structure (i.e.,
opening/body/concluding sentences).
8. Lesson Beginning:
The teacher will introduce the topic of opinion writing by demonstrating
an excerpt of a movie review on Frozen, a well-known Disney film that
was recently released.
o Students will be asked to identify the authors opinions on the
movie.
(What is the authors opinion? What reasons did the author
provide to support his/her opinion? Did the author use any
examples, if so, what were they? Any details used? Did they
re-state their opinion in the conclusion?)
o Students will be asked to share their opinions on the movie.
9. Instructional Plan:
The teacher will introduce the topic of opinion writing by demonstrating
an excerpt of a movie review on Frozen, a well-known Disney film that
was recently released.
o Students will be asked to identify the authors opinions on the
movie.
(What is the authors opinion? What reasons did the author
provide to support his/her opinion? Did the author use any
examples, if so, what were they? Any details used? Did they
re-state their opinion in the conclusion?)
o Students will be asked to share their opinions on the movie.
Next, the teacher will transition into having the students define in their own
words what an opinion is. The teacher will explain what opinion writing is
(making sure the students do not confuse opinion writing with persuasive
writing).
o Distribute and go over handout
The teacher will go over O-R-E-O structure for writing an opinion piece.
o After, the teacher will distribute a sample of an opinion piece.
Students will be asked to identify and highlight:
The authors opinions
The authors reasons
Examples/facts/details used to support reasons
Did the author provide a strong/clear opening
sentence?
Did the author provide a strong concluding sentence?
o Did author re-state his/her opinion?
The teacher will go over handout on opinion transitions and a revise/edit
checklist.
Students will be instructed to choose one out of three choices to write a
short opinion piece.
o Topics:
School uniforms
Voting for lunch meals
Favorite book or place

10. Differentiation: Extra-time and assistance will be given to students with special
needs.
11. Classroom Management/Transition:
a. In a normal tone of voice, I will say, "Clap once if you can hear me."
Those listening will quiet down and clap one time. Then I will say, "Clap
twice if you can hear me." More students will respond with two claps.
Finally I will say, "Clap three times if you can hear me." By this time I
should have the attention of all the students. This method will be used
to help transition in and out of activities.
b. Thumbs up, Thumbs down
c. Eyes up here
d. Popsicle sticks - student names are randomly selected from a cup.
12. Closure: Students will have an opportunity to share their short opinion piece
in front of the classroom. Students will have to identify the reasons the
presenter used to support his/her opinions, examples, details, etc.