Standard: E.E.W.5.

1
Write opinions about topics or text.
•Introduce a topic or text and state an opinion.
•Provide reasons to support the opinion

Prerequisites from Grade 5:

Note: This is a 5th grade unit on opinion writing. As students continue to grow socially and academically, it is important for them to
understand how to adequately express their opinions both orally and in written form. I developed a unit that will teach students the basics
of opinion writing and how to analyze written opinion pieces. This unit is based on the Iowa Common Core Standard E.E.W.5.1 which
states “Students will write opinion pieces about topics or text”. “Students will be able to generate characteristics of a strong opinion piece
and conduct research for their own pieces.”
Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5:
Content Obj: students will Content Obj: Students will be Content Obj: Students will be Content Obj: Students will be
be able to describe what is an able to distinguish a fact from able to identify key able to agree or disagree about Lesson Review
opinion. an opinion. vocabulary words in opinion different opinions.
piece structures.
Lang. Obj: Lang. Obj: “I can contrast a Lang. Obj: “I can orally or in
“I can recognize an opinion” fact from an opinion” Lang. Obj: “I can define key writing justify my reason for
vocabulary words of opinion agreeing or disagreeing with
Input: PPT Supplementary Materials: piece structures” opinion statements about eating
https://docs.google.com/ -fact or opinion worksheet bugs”
viewer? Vocabulary: key vocab for
a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGV unit (introduction, supporting Input: interactive mini-lesson.
mYXVsdGRvbWFpbnw1dG statement, transitions,
hncmFkZXBlcnN1YXNpdm conclusion, closing statement.
V3cml0aW5nfGd4OjE5YW
JhYzZmZWFkYjAzODk Supplementary Materials:

Building background:
-discuss video with students
and their experience with https://ed.ted.com/on/
stating personal opinions. gIY7CnQF
Strategies:
Strategies: scaffolding/questioning/works
Strategies:
-group activities/Buddy heet
scaffold/questioning/discussion/
system maping
Interaction: discussing and
doing.
Interaction: discuss with
-fill out work sheet with
partners (L1)
partner
assessment:
Formative assessment: share
Online dictionary reflection discussion
answers from worksheet with
https://kids.wordsmyth.net/
classmates.
we/
Interaction:
-preview and predict/ discuss -Ell students will have
with partner extended time to search for
translation of vocab words to
-Ell students will be paired L1 in online dictionary.
with English speaking -Online translation dictionary
student with strong social https://imtranslator.net/
skills. translation/english/to-
spanish/translation/
Formative: sharing, listening
Strategies: personal
dictionary for reference
throughout unit.

Interaction:
-students will search for key
vocabulary word definitions
and add to their word bank
-clarify in L1

Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10:

Content Obj: Students will Content Obj: Students will be Content Obj: Students will Content Obj: Students will be
be able to identify the able to research three different be able to logically group able to write opinion starter
different parts of an opinion topics for opinion piece. ideas together and begin to paragraph. Review
piece. draft opinion pieces.
Lang. Obj: “I can find specific Lang. Obj: “I can write an enrich
Lang. Obj: “I can read text information about a topic for Lang. Obj: “I can organize opinion starter paragraph using
and recognize different parts opinion pieces.” my opinion writing using catchy hooks.”
of an opinion piece.” graphic organizer”

Supplementary Materials: Supplementary Materials: Supplementary Materials: Supplementary Materials:

-opinion words and phrases
chart
-blank OREO chart
 Building background:
Discuss with class phrases
they may have used to
express their opinion and
build on background
knowledge.

Building background/
Strategies: scaffolding/topic
Building background/ stems
Strategies: highlight/ adapted
text/review key vocabulary
from personal dictionary Formative: share options
researched for opinion pieces. Strategies: OREO graphic
organizer Building background/
Reteach: parts of opinion Strategies: graphic organizer
piece. Interaction: students will use Interaction: work with partner
OREO chart to start on hooks for opinion starter
Enrich: explain rubric for brainstorming supporting paragraph.
opinion piece statements for opinion pieces

Enrich: teach students how to

hook readers.

Day 11: Day 12: Day 13: Day 14:

Content Obj: Student will be Content Obj: Students will be Content Obj: Students will be Content Obj: Students will be
able to create opinion piece able to provide a concluding able to compose a rough draft able to review and finalize
with supporting statements. statement related to the of an opinion piece. opinion piece.
opinion presented.
Lang. Obj: “I can orally or in Lang. Obj: “I can orally or in Lang. Obj: “I can examine a
writing state my opinion Lang. Obj: “I can write a writing state and justify my step-by-step framework for
with supporting statements conclusion statement that opinion with supporting and reviewing opinion piece and
by using transition words” supports my opinion by closing statement. compose final draft.
brainstorming strong ending
Building background/ sentences” Supplementary Materials:
Building background/
Supplementary Materials: Remind students to use
checklist and rubric for review

Strategies: peer review/expert

strategy for checking writing.

Interaction: discuss partner

Strategies: expert roles
partner/discuss/table notes Strategies: brainstorm closing
on supp. Details statement ideas with sticky Formative: finalized opinion
notes Building background/ review piece
interaction: Students will use OREO organizer, opinion
filled out OREO organizer to Interaction: brainstorm with words sheet and hook
write opinion piece partner/clarify L1if needed. organizer

El students may have Assessment: add closing Strategies: discuss with

additional support if needed. statement to OREO organizer partner organization of
collected information to
complete opinion piece.

Interaction:
partner discussion and
collaboration
 Formative: write completed
rough draft of opinion

Reteach: rubric

Day 15:
Content Obj: Students will be able to explain and present opinion piece.
Lang. Obj: “I can discuss and state my opinion piece with supporting statements in oral and written form”

Assessment

Student
Presentation of opinion pieces