Unit Plan 10 (Grade K ELA): Launching Opinion Writing
Kindergarten opinion writing unit: teach “I like ___ because ___” with sentence frames, partner talk, drawing/dictation, and capital-period conventions in a 5-session week.
Focus: “I like ___ because ___”; speaking in full sentences
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing • Speaking/Listening • Language)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week introduces opinion writing in the most kid-friendly way: naming likes and giving a reason. Students learn that an opinion is what you think/feel, not a right-or-wrong fact. They’ll practice the frame “I like ___ because ___.”, rehearse in partner talk, and compose a one-sentence opinion with a matching picture.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- State an opinion about a familiar topic using the frame “I like ___ because ___.” (W.K.1)
- Give a reason that matches the opinion (W.K.1).
- Participate in partner and group talk by taking turns, listening, and responding to a prompt (SL.K.1).
- Produce complete sentences orally and in dictation/writing, using capitals and an end mark with support (L.K.1).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten
- W.K.1 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell the reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference.
- SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners (a–b).
- L.K.1 Demonstrate command of grammar/usage when speaking and writing (complete simple sentences, capitalization, end punctuation with support).
Success Criteria — student language
- I can say/write “I like ___ because ___.”
- My because reason matches my like.
- I can listen, take turns, and answer a partner’s question.
- I can speak and dictate a complete sentence with a capital and a period.