opinion essay examples for 3rd grade

33 Opinion Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

An opinion is your personal way of feeling. It is not based on facts, but rooted in your own personal knowledge and beliefs. Your opinion can be shaped by your life experiences and those around you.

Opinions can change and evolve over time, or they can stay the same.

Everyone has their own opinion, and that makes life interesting! Sharing your opinion can help you find like-minded friends and help you learn even more.

In our opinion, writing can help you discover your own opinions and find out what means the most to you!

How to use these prompts:

There are so many ways to enjoy these writing prompts!

You can pick a random number and write as much as you can, or you can go down the list and write a prompt each day as a writing challenge.

You can set a timer or a fixed word count and let the words fly!

There is no wrong way to use these writing prompts, you just have to pick one and start writing.

The writing prompts:

• What do you think an opinion is? Why do you think it is so hard to put into words?
• How do you form an opinion? Is it formed quickly or slowly over time?
• Can an opinion change over time? How does it change?
• Answer the age-old question: in your opinion, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
• What is your opinion on cartoons? Are they only for kids, or can adults enjoy them too?
• In your opinion, what is the best superhero and why? What makes them special?
• What, in your opinion, is the best food in the world? How is it prepared? When did you first have it?
• Do you think it is necessary to go to college after high school? Why or why not?
• What is your opinion on school sports? Should participation be required or not?
• Do you think every student should have a computer provided to them? Why or why not?
• Do you think students should get a vote on what is served in the cafeteria? Why or why not?
• What is your opinion on school uniforms? How do you think they benefit or detract from the learning experience?
• In your opinion, what is the best weather to live in? Do you prefer hot summers or snowy winters?
• What’s the best theme park, and what informs your decision? Is it the rides, the food, the wait times?
• In your opinion, what book should everyone read at least once? Share your opinion on the book as well.
• What is the ultimate dessert in your opinion? How is it different from other desserts?
• What is your favorite holiday besides Christmas? Rank your top5 favorite holidays and explain why, in your opinion, they are the best.
• In your opinion, what movie should everyone see in their lifetime? Should they watch it with a friend or experience it alone?
• What is the best vacation spot in your opinion? Be sure to include your vacation experience there as well.
• What is your favorite type of exercise? Explain why you want others to try that exercise.
• What genre of music, in your opinion, is the best? Why?
• What is your favorite kind of ice cream and why? Have you tried your friend’s favorite flavors? Has it changed your opinion?
• What is the most interesting animal in your opinion, and why?
• What, in your opinion, is the best animal for a pet? Have you ever had this pet, or known someone that has? What makes them a great pet?
• Would you rather live in a house or an apartment? Why?
• What career seems most interesting to you? Is that what you want to be when you grow up?
• In your opinion, is chess or checkers more enjoyable? Why?
• What is, in your opinion, your favorite board game? Do you play by the rules or make up your own? Who is your favorite person to play with?
• What is your opinion on video games? Should everyone play video games? Why or why not?
• Do you think everyone has the responsibility to vote when they are old enough? Why or why not?
• Do you think that homework should be required for students? Is it beneficial for students to have extra practice at home, or do they get enough learning time at school?
• In your opinion, should virtual learning be offered to all students from now on? Or do you believe that every student should be learning in a classroom at school. Why?
• In your opinion, do you think you should have dessert with every dinner? Would it be the same dessert or a different one? What do you think about ordering dessert first?

Looking for more?

We provide unique and interesting free content for writers and readers of all ages to share and enjoy on our website!

Try inspiring some writing about the moon , or dogs – or maybe try writing about why we dream ? We have literally thousands upon thousands of original writing prompts on our site, as well as all sorts of random story starter generators and more!

If you have any questions or suggestions for us, please reach out. Your opinion matters to us, and we look forward to hearing from you! Thanks and see you again soon.

Third Grade Opinion Writing Prompts: Express Thoughtful Views

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Why Opinion Writing is Important in Third Grade

Developing critical thinking skills through opinion writing, choosing engaging and relevant prompts for third graders, encouraging thoughtful views and expressing personal opinions, teaching effective structure for third grade opinion writing, supporting students in backing up their opinions with reasons, providing feedback and guidance for well-crafted opinion pieces, frequently asked questions, to conclude.

Opinion writing plays a crucial role in the development of third graders’ literacy and critical thinking skills. By expressing their thoughts and viewpoints, students learn to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. This type of writing empowers them to voice their beliefs, develop empathy, and understand diverse perspectives.

Opinion writing allows children to grow as independent thinkers and nurtures their confidence. It provides a platform to express personal preferences, build arguments, and support them with evidence. As they engage in this creative process, students refine their abilities to organize their ideas, structure their thoughts logically, and present them coherently. By mastering the art of persuasion, third graders enhance their communication skills, fostering effective expression both on paper and in oral discussions.

• Opinion writing cultivates critical thinking abilities .
• It helps students develop empathy and respect for others’ viewpoints.
• Third graders learn to articulate their ideas in a clear and persuasive manner.
• By organizing their thoughts logically, students enhance their communication skills.
• This type of writing builds confidence and independence.

By engaging in opinion writing, third graders embark on a writing journey that not only strengthens their literacy skills but also encourages them to become active participants in society. They gain the tools to express their thoughts, make informed decisions, and shape their own world while understanding the importance of respecting different perspectives. So, let us inspire and empower our third graders to unleash their creative minds through opinion writing!

Developing critical thinking skills is an essential component of academic success and lifelong learning. One engaging approach to fostering these skills is through opinion writing. By encouraging students to express their thoughts and opinions on various topics, opinion writing not only enhances their ability to critically analyze information but also promotes independent thinking and logical reasoning.

Opinion writing allows students to explore different perspectives, challenge their own beliefs, and develop argumentative skills. It encourages them to consider multiple viewpoints and evaluate evidence before forming an opinion. This process of examining and analyzing various arguments enables students to become more open-minded, empathetic, and adaptable thinkers.

• Enhances analytical thinking: Opinion writing requires students to analyze different sources of information, evidence, and arguments, fostering their ability to critically evaluate and interpret data.
• Promotes logical reasoning: By guiding students to support their opinions with well-reasoned arguments and logical conclusions, opinion writing helps them develop strong reasoning skills.
• Fosters independent thinking: Opinion writing empowers students to express their unique thoughts and ideas, allowing them to develop their own perspectives and think independently.
• Encourages research and evaluation: Students need to gather information, conduct research, and evaluate sources to support their opinions, thus enhancing their research skills.

By incorporating opinion writing into the curriculum, educators provide students with a valuable tool to further their critical thinking abilities. As students gain confidence in expressing their opinions and engaging in thoughtful discourse, they become better equipped to navigate the complexities of the world and contribute to society more effectively.

When it comes to encouraging creativity and critical thinking skills in third graders, selecting the right prompts is key. By providing engaging and relevant prompts, educators can inspire their students to express themselves while developing essential writing abilities . Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your prompt selection:

• Consider their interests: Get to know your students and their hobbies, likes, and dislikes. Choosing prompts that align with their interests will capture their attention and make writing more enjoyable.
• Keep it relatable: Third graders can better connect to prompts that are familiar to them. Select topics that are relevant to their everyday lives, such as school experiences, hobbies, family, or friendship.
• Vary the prompts: Mix up the types of prompts you provide to keep students engaged. Incorporate descriptive, persuasive, narrative, and informative prompts to expose them to different writing styles and encourage well-rounded development.

Moreover, it is essential to take into account the complexity level of the prompts. Striking the right balance between challenging and achievable aids in building confidence and enhancing writing skills. By providing engaging and relevant prompts, you create an environment where students can express their creativity, expand their vocabulary, and develop their voice as young writers. Remember, a well-crafted prompt can ignite a passion for writing that lasts a lifetime!

In this digital age, where information is abundant and opinions are easily shared, it is crucial to cultivate a culture that values thoughtful views and encourages the expression of personal opinions. Our platform aims to create a space where individuals can engage in meaningful discussions, fostering intellectual growth and diversity of perspectives.

Here, we believe that every opinion matters and that engaging in healthy debates can lead to a deeper understanding of complex topics. To encourage such thoughtful views, we have implemented a few key features:

• Open forum: Our platform provides a wide range of topics for discussion, allowing users to freely express their thoughts and exchange ideas with others who may hold differing opinions.
• Moderated discussions: We have a dedicated team of moderators who ensure that all discussions remain respectful and constructive. They keep the conversations on track, avoiding personal attacks and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect.
• Community guidelines: To maintain a healthy and inclusive environment, we have established community guidelines that outline the expected behavior and set clear boundaries for discussions. This ensures that everyone feels safe expressing their personal opinions without fear of harassment or discrimination.

We strongly encourage all users to embrace a growth mindset and actively seek out different perspectives. By engaging in thoughtful views and expressing personal opinions, we can collectively broaden our horizons, challenge our assumptions, and ultimately foster an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

When it comes to opinion writing, teaching students the art of organizing their thoughts and ideas is crucial. By providing a clear structure, we empower third graders to articulate their opinions with clarity and coherence. Here are some strategies to foster effective structure in their writing:

• Introduction: Encourage students to begin their opinion piece with a captivating hook or a thought-provoking question. This will engage the reader’s attention from the start. Next, they should clearly state their opinion and provide a brief overview of the reasons that support their viewpoint.
• Body Paragraphs: Emphasize the importance of developing each reason in its own paragraph. Students should organize their thoughts logically by presenting a topic sentence that introduces the reason, followed by supporting details or examples. By using transitional words, such as “first,” “next,” or “finally,” they can guide the reader through their arguments smoothly.

Furthermore, remind students to include counterarguments and address them respectfully. This helps strengthen their overall argument and shows their ability to consider different perspectives.

• Conclusion: The final paragraph serves as a closing statement that reinforces the main opinion. Students should restate their opinion and summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs. Encourage them to end with a thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, such as a call to action or a powerful statement.

By teaching third graders these effective structures, we equip them with valuable tools to express their opinions in a clear, organized, and persuasive manner. Remember to provide ample opportunities for practice and offer constructive feedback to help them refine their writing skills. Happy teaching!

Encouraging students to express and defend their opinions is a crucial aspect of education. However, it is equally important to teach them the art of providing solid reasons to support their viewpoints. By equipping students with this valuable skill, we empower them to think critically, articulate their thoughts effectively, and engage in meaningful discussions. Here are some effective strategies to support students in backing up their opinions with reasons:

• Introduce the concept of evidence: Begin by explaining the importance of providing evidence to support opinions. Teach students that opinions alone may carry limited weight, but when supported by valid reasons or evidence, their arguments become more persuasive.
• Develop critical thinking skills: Encourage students to analyze various perspectives and consider different viewpoints before forming their opinions. This practice fosters critical thinking abilities and enables students to construct well-reasoned arguments based on a comprehensive understanding

Continued effort and practice are essential for students to become skilled at backing up their opinions with reasons. By guiding them through the process of gathering evidence, critically analyzing information, and articulating their thoughts effectively, we empower students to navigate complex discussions and engage in respectful debates that are driven by reason.

When it comes to crafting a well-articulated opinion piece, it is important to provide feedback and guidance to ensure the writer effectively communicates their thoughts and ideas. Constructive criticism can help polish the piece and make it more persuasive and engaging. Here are some key points to consider while providing feedback:

1. Clarity of argument: Make sure the writer’s main argument is clear and easy to understand. Encourage them to state their opinion explicitly and support it with well-developed reasoning and evidence.

2. Organization and structure: Help the writer ensure their piece flows logically from one point to another. Suggest the use of subheadings or bullet points to make it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend the argument.

3. Voice and tone: Pay attention to the writer’s voice and ensure it matches the intended audience. Suggest using a tone that is both confident and respectful, encouraging them to employ active and persuasive language.

4. Introduction and conclusion: Emphasize the importance of a strong introduction that hooks the reader and sets the context. Encourage the writer to provide a compelling conclusion that summarizes the key points and leaves a lasting impression.

5. Grammar and punctuation: While providing guidance on content, don’t forget to address any grammatical or punctuation errors. Highlight the need for clear and concise language, recommending the use of tools like spell-checkers or proofreading.

Remember, the goal is to help the writer hone their skills and craft a compelling opinion piece. By providing thoughtful feedback, you enable them to express their viewpoints effectively and contribute to meaningful discussions. Keep these pointers in mind, and your guidance will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their writing journey.

Q: What is opinion writing, and why is it important in third grade? A: Opinion writing is a form of writing where students express their personal views on a particular topic or issue. In third grade, it becomes crucial as it helps children develop critical thinking skills , organize their thoughts coherently, and articulate their opinions effectively.

Q: How can opinion writing benefit third graders in their overall development? A: Opinion writing allows third graders to strengthen their writing skills by offering them a platform to express their ideas, feelings, and beliefs. It fosters creativity, encourages independent thinking, and enables them to develop persuasive arguments.

Q: What are some effective third-grade opinion writing prompts? A: – Should students have longer recess periods? – Is it more fun to read books or watch movies? – Should animals be kept in zoos? – Do video games have a positive or negative impact on children’s development? – Should homework be banned for elementary school students?

Q: How can teachers help students develop thoughtful views through opinion writing? A: Teachers can facilitate this process by encouraging students to brainstorm, research, and gather evidence to support their opinions. They can provide writing prompts that challenge their critical thinking and encourage them to consider different points of view.

Q: How can students structure their opinion writing pieces effectively? A: Students should start with an introduction that clearly states their opinion. In the body paragraphs, they should present strong reasons to support their viewpoint, supported by facts or examples. Finally, a conclusion should wrap up their arguments and restate their opinion elegantly.

Q: What is the role of revision and peer feedback in improving opinion writing? A: Revision and peer feedback are crucial steps in the writing process. Encouraging students to review and revise their work enhances clarity and coherence. Peer feedback provides an opportunity for students to learn from one another, identify areas of improvement, and gain insight into different perspectives.

Q: How can parents support their children’s opinion writing skills at home? A: Parents can engage in conversations about various topics, encouraging their child to express their opinions and explain their reasoning. They can also provide time for writing, and offer guidance on organizing thoughts, checking grammar, and spelling. Parents can also engage in reading and discussing opinion articles together.

Q: Can opinion writing be used to teach empathy and respect for diverse viewpoints? A: Absolutely! Opinion writing promotes empathy by encouraging children to consider opposing opinions and develop a deeper understanding of different perspectives. By teaching students to listen and respect the views of others, opinion writing fosters open-mindedness and empathy towards diverse opinions.

Q: How does opinion writing in third grade lay the foundation for more complex writing tasks in the future? A: Opinion writing provides an essential foundation for more advanced writing tasks in the future. It helps students develop a strong voice, persuasive writing skills, and the ability to support their arguments with evidence. These skills are transferable to other forms of writing, such as persuasive essays or research papers.

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Third Grade Opinion Writing Unit

Are you struggling to teach writing to your 3rd graders? Perhaps you just don’t know where to start. You’re constantly googling, ‘how do you teach writing to 3rd graders?’ or ‘how can I help my 3rd graders with writing?’ You’re tearing your hair out with frustration.

Maybe it’s because your school doesn’t provide you with a writing curriculum. So, you’re spending your precious evenings and weekends looking on Pinterest for lesson ideas. Or worse, a curriculum is provided…but it’s just downright terrible. You can’t make sense of it and your students hate it.

Perhaps your students just hate writing in general and roll their eyes at the thought of it.

Well, here’s the thing. Teaching writing ‘aint easy. In fact, it can be straight up tricky, I get it!

But don’t worry friend, I’ve got you covered.

INTRODUCING TERRIFIC WRITING

Terrific Writing is a comprehensive writing curriculum for Third Grade. This curriculum is standards based (to the common core) and genre based. But best of all, it’s actually easy to teach and engaging for students!

In this curriculum, your students will develop a love of writing. The graphic organizers, interactive notebooks, and final craft will engage students much more than a blank piece of paper. The final writing piece asks students to write about something they love that they have chosen! After all, students love to write about things that they are interested in.

Writing doesn’t have to be dull and students definitely shouldn’t hate writing!

In Unit 2 ‘Opinion Writing’, students learn how to write engaging opinion writing pieces.

ARE YOU SHORT ON TIME?

This  5 week  unit has EVERYTHING you need, because let’s be honest, teachers are time poor.

So, let’s get your evenings and weekends back, my friend! Take a break from lesson planning and searching for engaging materials. It’s all right here.

Are you ready? I’m going to share some of the awesome things about it!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS THIRD GRADE WRITING – Opinion Writing UNIT?

First up, there are a bunch of teacher docs. Unit contents, common core standards, and teacher directions? Check.

To begin, there’s some suggested mentor texts (with links to Amazon and YouTube). Also, a scope is included which shows the 25 lessons that feature in this unit and the third grade common core standards that are relevant.

Also, there is a unit at-a-glance calendar, as well as a table which tells you what materials you will need for each lesson. Basically, I’ve tried to make this unit super easy to implement. It has everything you need!

Next, there’s some suggested lesson times. To clarify, it doesn’t matter how long your writing block is, this unit can be adapted to suit it!

A lot of teachers struggle with finding the time to teach writing. If this is you, you’re not alone!

Then, there’s the 25 scripted (and step-by-step) lesson plans. The lessons follow a simple format of mini lesson, think and share, and independent writing time. There’s a lesson focus to guide you and all of the required materials are listed with numbers. For example, you’ll know exactly which posters and printables you need.

Subsequently, there’s a video that comes with this unit. This will help you organize and implement everything.

Wondering how to assess your student’s writing? Don’t sweat it!

There’s an assessment document for this unit too. It includes a rubric to help you grade your student’s writing.

However, I’m not just throwing you to the sharks here! Rubrics can sometimes be generic or difficult to decipher. That’s why I’ve made a comprehensive document with teacher directions, as well as elaborations and examples. Moreover, there’s a video to help you understand the rubric.

OPinion Writing MENTOR TEXTS

I do give a list of suggested mentor texts that you can source, but in addition, I provide three original mentor texts for this unit! These come in PDF and PowerPoint versions (as well as color and black and white). You can print them in any size or just display them on an interactive whiteboard.

The great thing about these original mentor texts is that they include all of the features of opinion writing that are taught in the unit. For example, students will see examples of opinions, reasons, and a closing.

Opinion Writing POSTERS

This unit comes with 19 posters that you can reference to! Each lesson corresponds to them. Most importantly, they are great for giving writing ideas and reinforcing the opinion writing structure.

You can print them in color and laminate them. They are great for displaying in the classroom. However, you can also display these posters digitally (if you have limited printing options).

Already interested in this third grade writing opinion writing unit? Grab it  here !

OPinion Writing PRINTABLES

There are student workbook covers that you can print. There are three options, ‘My Writing Folder’, ‘My Writing Notebook’, and ‘My Writing Journal’. Your students can glue these covers onto their folders or books. The covers come in color and black and white (there are also boy and girl versions).

Let’s now take a look at the writing prompts, worksheets, interactive notebooks and graphic organizers!

Hands On Printables

There are two interactive notebooks, as well as other cut and paste sorting activities. This way, learning is hands on and engaging!

Graphic Organizers

There are a variety of graphic organizers to help students plan their opinion writing and organize their thoughts. For example, students complete this OREO graphic organizer.

Prompts and Worksheets

There are many different writing prompts and worksheets to help students learn to write opinions and reasons. They write a book review and complete a prompt about their favorite movie. They also answer opinion prompt questions like ‘which is better?’ and ‘would you rather?’

This is the common core standard for opinion writing that is covered with these printables –

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

The Final Writing Piece

After students have learnt about opinions and reasons, they begin to prepare for their final writing piece.

First, they plan their writing. Next lesson, they write an introduction. After that, they learn about linking words and paragraphing. Then, they add details and examples to their reasoning. Finally, they write a closing.

These are the common core standards for opinion writing that are covered with these printables –

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.A Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B Provide reasons that support the opinion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C Use linking words and phrases (e.g.,  because ,  therefore ,  since ,  forexample ) to connect opinion and reasons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D Provide a concluding statement or section.

Writing Checklists

After students have written their first draft, they use two checklists to proofread their work. One checklist grades opinion writing structure and the other is a more generic checklist for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The students do a self check, peer check, and adult check.

Writing Craft

The students create a writing craft for their final writing piece. It’s a flipbook, so they can add as many pages underneath as they need! This craft is great for a bulletin baord display.

They write about their favorite thing (that they own). This gives students the choice to write about anything they like (which keeps them far more engaged)!

I think it’s super imortant to have purposeful early finisher tasks and extension activities during writing lessons. Above all, we should be challenging our advanced writers. That’s why this unit also includes task cards for opinion writing.

Third Grade Writing – Opinion Writing

Here’s an overview, with some more information about the unit –

• 25 step-by-step scripted lesson plans
• 18 graphic organizers / worksheets
• 2 interactive notebooks and 1 writing craft
• 3 original mentor texts (PowerPoint versions and PDF in color and b&w)
• 24 tasks cards extension activities (2 versions – b&w, color)
• 1 assessment rubric

Here’s everything else that’s included in this unit –

• Video overview to help organize and implement the unit
• List of common core standards that align with this unit
• Teacher directions for the lesson plans
• Suggestions for differentiation and lesson times
• List of recommended mentor texts (with links)
• Unit scope and at-a-glance calendar
• Lesson materials list
• Student book/folder cover (3 versions – journal, notebook, or folder)
• 1 writing prompt pre-assessment
• 3 lined pages (for first drafts and crafts)
• 2 checklists
• 1 set of compliment notes (2 versions – b&w, color)
• 1 certificate (2 versions – b&w, color)
• Teacher directions, examples, and elaborations for the rubric
• Video with tips for using the rubric

Click  here to see a video that shows everything in the unit.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this third grade writing – opinion writing unit.

Click  here  to grab the full unit!

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August 24, 2023 at 1:03 pm

I’m a English teacher in Mexico, I’m interested in worksheets for writing. Your material looks very interesting.

August 25, 2023 at 5:13 am

I’m so glad to hear! Be sure to check them out and let me know if you have any questions 🙂

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Scaffolding an Opinion Writing Essay With Frames and Templates

Teaching opinion writing to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students soon?  Use the sentence starters and paragraph frames below in your lessons to help students structure their writing, use transitional words, stay on topic, and support their opinions.

Templates like the examples below are a great way to introduce opinion writing.  The hope is that eventually, students will go on to write without a provided outline and add a little of their own personality to their writing, but starting off with a clear structure helps students learn to become better writers.

Start Small - With Opinion Writing Sentence Starters or Frames

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students love giving their opinions, so help them structure their opinions with sentence starters and frames. This is a great way to introduce opinion writing and doesn't frustrate students.

Providing structure is especially beneficial for your ELL and low language students, but ALL students can improve their writing with this scaffolding.

Some example sentence starters are below.  Depending on the topic being discussed and the opinion being shared, not all sentence frames will work in all situations.  Adapt them for your particular scenario!

Example Sentence Starters

• In my opinion, _____ is better than _____ because _____.
• The best thing about _____ is _____.
• I am strongly against _____ because _____.
• Although some people believe _____, I believe _____.
• Ever since _____, I have believed _____.

Using a Paragraph Template or Frame

Example paragraph frames.

In my opinion, __________ is better than __________ because __________.  For example, _______________.  Furthermore, _______________.  Clearly, _______________ is the worse option.

I prefer __________ because __________.  For instance, _______________.  Also, _______________.  Finally, _______________.

Opinion Writing Essay Template / Structure / Outline

Going from writing paragraphs to writing an entire essay can be overwhelming for upper elementary students - and middle school students as well!

Modeling how to write an opinion essay is an essential first step.  (My Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource includes a teacher model to make this easy for you.)

After modeling an opinion essay, provide students with an opinion writing template/outline to help them structure their own writing.  This will help students stay on topic, use transitional words, and provide support for their opinions.  And, most importantly, it will keep students from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

If you know your students would benefit from this type of scaffolding but don’t have the time to create it yourself, check out my Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource.

It walks students through the writing process with support each step of the way. This resource also provides a model essay so that you can model expectations for your students. Plus, it can be used over and over again with different topics.

If you found these opinion writing tips to be useful, then you will probably like these tips for teaching students how to write a compare and contrast essay. 

Want a Compare and Contrast Freebie?

Download these reading passages with a compare and contrast activity for free and use it to today!

Free Argumentative Text Passage for 3rd Grade

Scouring the internet for hours only to find argumentative text resources that are geared toward older kids feels like going bathing suit shopping after eating a #3 at Whataburger. Nothing fits, you can’t find anything you like, and you end up in tears.

Well, dry those eyes, Beautiful, because your day is about to get a lot easier.

Finally, a high-interest argumentative text passage for third graders. And it comes with two versions of response sheets to help your students organize their thoughts as they read it.

The best part? It’s completely free. Get it below.

I’m so excited to give you this free argumentative passage about recess. That’s right, your students are going to be reading about their favorite part of the school day. And they are going to love the author’s claim.

But recess isn’t just fun and games. In this passage, they’ll learn about ways recess can benefit them – physically, socially, and academically. The author cites evidence about these benefits to support her claim that recess is good for kids.

Why You'll Love It:

• The simple structure of this argumentative passage for third graders will help your students break down and identify the characteristics of argumentative text.
• The high-interest topic of the text will keep your kids fully engaged in your lesson.
• 2 versions of response sheets allow you to choose how you want to focus your lesson.
• Answer keys have been included to ease the burden on you.

Need Help Selecting More Argumentative Texts for Third Graders?

You’ll likely need more than one passage, so here are some tips to help you as you look for more.

Choose a high-interest topic.

Argumentative text can be a tough genre, so using a text with an engaging topic is important. Your kids will be more motivated to read and understand something they care about. So find an argumentative text that you know your students will be interested in. Some popular topics are video games , class pets , year-round school, and anything else that they encounter at school.

Consider the text structure.

I suggest starting the unit with a very basic text structure that only argues one point. This helps the kids wrap their heads around the genre, its structure, and characteristics. I would stick with this simple structure until your students understand how an author makes and supports his/her claim with facts and evidence. This free passage is perfect for this.

As you move through the unit, you may want to consider texts that present both sides of the argument in the same text.

Be sure it is argumentative, not persuasive.

I would advise against using the I Wanna… books and others like it because they are more persuasive in nature. We want our students to understand that argumentative texts rely on facts, evidence, and research rather than emotional pleas. You can read more about the difference between argumentative and persuasive texts here .

Don’t Want to Spend Any More Time Searching?

I don’t blame you. It’s rough out there. And finding the perfect fit is hard. Here are two sets of argumentative texts for 3rd graders. Both sets come with two different passages that make opposing claims about the topic. These are perfect for analyzing separately and comparing and contrasting.

If You Really Want to Save Time & Tears

This bundle has everything you need to teach argumentative text to your third graders and lifts all the hard work off your shoulders. It is all planned and ready to go.

What You'll Get:

• 5 easy to follow, scripted lesson plans take out all the guesswork.
• 3 of the 5 are PowerPoint lessons that make introducing the genre a breeze.
• A total of 7 high-interest passages will keep your students engaged.
• An assessment with an answer key is included.
• Interactive notebook pages help your students interact with the text and give them a tool to refer back to.
• Task cards help your students practice distinguishing fact from opinion and identifying evidence that supports the author’s claim.
• Plus, you’ll get resources for tier 2 vocabulary, grammar, and more!

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More About Argumentative Text:

What Is An Argumentative Text? How to Teach It in 3rd Grade

How to Teach Argumentative Text to 3rd Graders

Argumentative vs Persuasive Text: What’s the Difference?

Reading Comprehension Strategies That Will Help 3rd Graders Understand Argumentative Text

How to Introduce Argumentative Text to 3rd Graders

I help third and fourth grade RLA teachers like you create engaging and effective reading lessons without all the stress.

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Not So Wimpy Teacher

The Not So WImpy Teacher creates resources for busy teachers in grades 2-5 who are looking to deliver engaging and meaningful lessons without overwhelm and chaos.

Opinion Writing Unit THIRD GRADE

Grade Level: 3rd Grade

My third grade opinion writing unit includes 8 weeks of done-for-you writing lessons about how to write a strong opinion essay . This unit contains detailed lesson plans, mentor texts, anchor charts, student writing tasks, and rubrics –everything you need to be a capable, confident writing teacher with students who love to write.

More about this resource

If teaching writing has ever made you cry, weep, tear out your hair, question your existence, or binge-watch reality television—because it’s just that frustrating and overwhelming—this writing unit is perfect for you. 

If your students dread writing time more than meatloaf in the school cafeteria…this writing unit is perfect for them, too. 

Teaching writing can be tough. Teachers tell me that their district-provided writing curriculum is:

• too complicated

Or worse, they don’t have any curriculum at all. Yikes! 

But my third grade opinion writing unit makes teaching writing easy . It takes all the guesswork out of teaching writing and gives you the tools you need to teach engaging and effective writing lessons without breaking a sweat.

The ready-to-use lessons and activities in this opinion writing unit will teach your students h ow to use supporting facts, reasons, and examples, consider opposing viewpoints, write topic and concluding sentences, and structure paragraphs . And all you have to do is print and teach . The lesson plans are that simple. Seriously.

Student-friendly mentor texts make it easy to provide illustrative examples of new writing skills. You don’t have to waste your time and money hunting down just the right book.  Focused mini lessons and daily writing tasks simplify the writing process helping ALL students, even reluctant writers, experience success. Preprinted anchor charts make it easy to model new skills and engage in shared writing without wasting valuable time. 

And best of all, my opinion writing unit  makes writing fun  for  ALL  your students – from  reluctant writers  to  excited writers . The  Student Success Path  helps you identify where your students are on their writing journey and plan just-right lessons and  interventions .  Short, focused lessons  keep students engaged. Simple, direct writing tasks help kids develop confidence.  Conference materials,  including outlines and topic cards, you can use to guide small group discussion make it easy for you to  differentiate lessons.

Choice empowers students  to write about things they care about and makes them more invested in their writing. And that’s a big deal because  students who enjoy writing and get lots of practice perform better on standardized testing.

Plus, these materials are  easy-to-use . Everything is organized in folders to help you find just what you need. A  Quick Start Guide  makes it simple to get started and provides tips on how to prep materials for long-term use.

The 2-week  Starting Writing Workshop mini-unit  will help you start your writing instruction on the right foot. Detailed teacher directions show you exactly how to use all the resources and activities.

How Our Writing Curriculum is Aligned with the Science of Reading :

• Structured writing routine: Our writing curriculum is organized into 4 genres. Each 8-week unit is carefully structured, beginning with foundational skills before moving into more advanced skills. Students are taught a systematic approach to writing including: brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
• Explicit instruction: Daily lessons begin with explicit instruction including access to examples via mentor texts, modeling, and directed practice. Each skill is broken down into bite-size pieces so that students can learn one skill at a time. Students practice skills independently, working on one sentence or paragraph at a time.
• Differentiation: Writing is differentiated through small group instruction that provides reteaching, additional practice, and support at appropriate levels.
• Daily opportunities to write: The majority of the writing lesson is reserved for independent writing time, providing students with large blocks of time to write and practice skills every day. 
• Demonstrates the connection between reading and writing: Mentor texts provide concrete examples of writing skills and allow children to experiment with and apply sophisticated skills and language in their own writing. In addition, constructing their own writing pieces helps students recognize, connect, and understand these strategies when reading.  

What’s Included:

• Detailed teacher directions and suggestions for simple implementation
• Unit-at-a-glance calendar for each unit
• 7 exclusive videos walking you through how to get the most out of these writing units
• 40 days of lesson plans that include guiding questions, materials, mini lessons, student work tasks, student share tasks, intervention, and several extension activities
• 14 original mentor text passages
• 24 opinion writing task cards (identifying whether a topic is an opinion)
• 24 opinion writing prompts task cards
• 11 teacher anchor charts (blank and filled in versions)
• Student anchor charts and printable for writing notebooks
• Conference and goal tracking forms
• Writing grades tracking forms
• List of 10 additional mentor text books (Remember, using them is optional, because I’ve included all the mentor texts you need) 
• 6 different writing publishing papers
• Student writing notebook cover and dividers
• Teacher notebook covers and binder spines
• Multiple ideas for author share celebration
• DIGITAL writing notebooks on Google Slides
• Conferencing Materials – Conference outlines, a sample conference, and topic cards you can use to guide your small-group conferences
• Student Success Path – Identify where your students are on their writing journey
• Starting Writing Workshop Bonus – Two weeks of writing lesson plans to help build stamina and set your students up for writing success

Skills Covered:

Students learn h ow to craft a strong opinion essay using supporting facts, reasons, and examples, topic and concluding sentences, and structured paragraphs. Lessons include:

• Setting goals
• What is an opinion essay?
• Generating essay ideas
• Writing strong opinion statements
• Writing a lead
• Supporting your opinion with reasons
• Considering your audience
• Consider opposing opinions
• Supporting your opinion with examples
• Topic and concluding sentences
• Word choice
• Transitions
• Writing a conclusion
• Generating deeper topics (research based)

How to Use it in the Classroom: 

A typical day of writing:.

I recommend you set aside thirty minutes for writing each day (or more if you have it). Check out the sample schedules below. Each day follows the same plan:

• Mini-Lesson (8-10 minutes):  The day kicks off with a mini-lesson to teach a particular skill. The mini-lesson uses mentor text (remember, it’s included in the unit) and anchor charts. For the teacher version of the anchor charts, you can project and fill them out with the class, or print and display them in your classroom. The student versions are smaller so they can fill them out and keep them in their writing notebooks for reference.
• Work Time (18-20 minutes) : Students will apply the skill they just learned into their writing each day. The included writing tasks make it crystal-clear what to do during independent writing time–for you and your students. By the end of the unit, they will have completed two full masterpieces and many other independent writings.
• Share Time (2 minutes) : Students are encouraged to share a piece of their writing with a partner or with the entire class. This makes writing more meaningful to kids and holds them accountable.

Organization Made Easy:

• The opinion writing unit is organized into multiple folders and files so it’s easy for you to find what you need.
• A 40-day daily schedule so you know exactly what to teach each day.
• Detailed daily lesson plans make teaching writing easy.

Differentiation:

There are many ways to differentiate writing assignments:

• These daily writing prompts are intentionally short and sweet so that all students, even those below grade level, can feel successful. Most tasks can be completed in 1-2 sentences.
• More advanced writers can write longer responses, or work on a second masterpiece if they finish early.
• Students can complete fewer task cards or work with a partner; you can also provide support to students as they work on task cards.
• The process for teaching writing includes group conferencing time. These groups should be based on ability so that you can individualize your instruction to meet the specific needs of the group.

Why you’ll love this writing unit: 

• You’ll save hours of prepping and planning time. The daily lesson plans are easy to implement. All you have to do is print and teach. 
• Mentor texts are included. You do not need to hunt down or purchase any additional books! (Unless you want to. Far be it from me to stand between a teacher and new books.) 
• Digital anchor charts project onto your white board-so you don’t have to be Picasso or Renoir to anchor your kids in the lesson.
• Pre-printed student anchor charts make it easy for students to follow along without having to write every word and draw complicated diagrams.
• Digital student notebooks are perfect for 1:1 classrooms and a great way to save paper.
• These lessons work for all students, even students below grade level.
• Task cards incorporate movement, reinforce concepts, and make learning fun. Daily share time encourages students to take pride in their writing.
• Direct writing instruction provides a solid foundation of writing skills that leads to increased test scores.
• Aligned with the Science of Reading .

*****************************

More Third Grade Writing Units:

Personal Narrative for Third Grade

Informational Writing for Third Grade

Fiction Narrative for Third Grade

Frequently Asked

Yes. I also have personal narrative , informational essay , and fiction narrative writing units available.

This opinion writing unit is available for grade 3. I also have opinion writing units available for grades two , four , and five .

I prefer composition notebooks because they are sturdy and easy to use and store. But other teachers have used spiral bound notebooks or three-ring binders.

Yes. These writing lessons are based on Common Core standards.

The lessons for consecutive grade levels are very similar because the standards are similar. The biggest difference is that the reading level on the mentor text passages is modified to meet the specific grade level. Other differences include new examples in the lesson plans and anchor charts and new task cards. It is generally fine to use units that are one level above or below grade level. You might want to select the lower grade level to ensure that the mentor texts are easier for students to read.

Each unit includes eight weeks of materials. I recommend spending 30-45 on writing each day. The lesson takes 8-10 minutes and the rest of the time would be used for independent writing.

Students complete two masterpieces in each unit. But they may work on additional pieces if they finish daily assignments early.

My writing units are a standalone curriculum. They are not based on or aligned with any other curriculum. However, they are based on the writing standards. My curriculum is organized into units of study and formatted in the workshop model and hundreds of teachers have successfully used my writing units with their district provided curriculum.

My writing units are a standalone curriculum. They are not based on or aligned with any other curriculum. With that being said, I have hundreds of teachers who have chosen to use my units as a supplement to their Lucy curriculum because it is more manageable and engaging for students.

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Thrifty in Third Grade

By Cassie Smith - Teaching resources and blog posts for second, third, fourth, and fifth grade!

Easy Ways to Introduce Opinion Writing

It sounds simple and straightforward, but the easiest way to begin an opinion writing unit is to teach your students to have opinions!

There are several fun ways to teach your students to have opinions.

Incorporate Math

Graphing is a perfect skill to integrate with your writing standards. In this case, you can ask students their favorite (animal, sport, etc…) and graph the class results. Students can collect data and can write simple opinion statements.

Incorporate Reading

When you are teaching the author’s point of view, you can incorporate opinion writing!

It’s as simple as teaching your students to agree or disagree with the author’s opinion!

Learn more about teaching point of view here .

Would You Rather?

This is a fun game you can play and you can get your whole class moving. Begin by having your class line up in a central location. Have two designated places for students to move for choice A and B.

Then, pose questions. Based on their preference, they’ll move to side A or side B.

Would You Rather Questions:

• Would you rather stub your toe or get a paper cut?
• Travel on a sailboat or travel on an airplane?
• Have extra recess or extra technology time?
• Have pizza for lunch or nachos?
• Play a board game with your family or watch a movie with your family?

Stumped on question ideas? Have your students each write one! Then, you can simply read them.

Opinion Statement Sort

After students have spent time learning what it means to have an opinion, you can move on to teaching them to write opinion statements .

Once students have learned to write an opinion statement, they are ready to move on to writing an opinion paragraph.

O-R-E-O Paragraphs

You’ve probably heard of O-R-E-O writing before, but if you haven’t, it’s a fun way to teach students how to write an opinion paragraph.

Students begin by writing their opinion statement (O), then give a reason (R), an example (E), and restate their opinion (O).

This is a very basic structure that you can use for introducing opinion writing. From there, you’ll want to teach your students how to write an opinion essay!

Check out my Opinion Piece Writing Units (Grades 2-5)! These come in both print and Google Slides formats!

Looking for more blog posts about teaching writing? Check out these!

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How to Teach Opinion Writing

In this post, I share 5 tips for How to Teach Opinion Writing and provide details about the Opinion Writing Units resources I have created for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students.   Be sure to download 3 FREE opinion writing graphic organizers !

The Common Core writing domain focuses on three big types of writing: informative, narrative, and opinion writing.  Each genre serves a unique purpose and follows a specific structure in which we must explicitly teach our students.   In my last post I shared tips and resources for teaching Informative Writing and today I’m excited to move on to Opinion Writing. 

Opinion Writing is one of my favorite genres to teach.  Young students have opinions on just about EVERYTHING and they usually aren’t afraid to share them!!  For this reason, they find the genre highly engaging! 

Today I’m sharing 5 tips for teaching opinion writing, as well as a valuable resource that has everything you need to bring opinion writing into your kindergarten , first grade, or second grade literacy centers! 

Tips for Teaching Opinion Writing

1.  read opinion writing mentor texts .

Before you can ask your students to write in a genre that is new to them, you must first immerse them in it.  So to begin your unit, you’ll want to share examples of opinion writing with your students.  These mentor texts provide students with excellent examples of opinion writing. 

As you read them aloud, highlight the way the author structures their writing.  Identify the author’s topic or opinion and point out the reasons he or she gives to support their opinion.  All of these things will help students better understand what type of writing we are asking them to do.    

When you’re picking opinion mentor texts to share with your students there are a few things to consider .  First, do you (the educator) think it is excellent?  Second, is it easy for your students to understand?  And finally, is it relevant to the type of writing you are teaching?  If you answer “Yes!” to all three, then you’re good to go!

To help you out I’ve created a list of excellent mentor texts you can use when teaching opinion writing to kindergarten, first, or second grade students.  

A List of Opinion Writing Mentor Texts:

• Duck Rabbit by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufmann Orloff
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
• The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan

I’ve saved all these titles on one board so you can easily take a closer look at these mentor texts.  Click here to see this list on Amazon.

2.  Model Your Own Opinion Writing

I know I say this a lot, but it’s worth repeating…. MODEL, MODEL, and then once again MODEL what you expect your students to do!  It is a tremendously powerful instructional tool! 

When teaching opinion writing you’ll first model how to choose a topic.  When you generate ideas you can ask yourself, “What do I know all about?” “What do I care about?” “What do I wish other people believed?”.

If these questions feel too broad for your students you can use simple “would you rather” questions to get your ideas for an opinion piece.  For example, “Would you rather have a dog or a cat?”  This could lead to the topic, “Dogs are the best pet.” Keep it simple and choose a topic that is relatable to your students.    

Next, model how you plan your writing using a graphic organizer.  Show them how you open with a topic sentence that states your opinion. Next, come up with your supporting reasons. End with a closing sentence that restates your opinion.  

Model how you use the graphic organizer to guide you as you write out your full piece. 

Finally, reread your work aloud and show students how you catch silly mistakes such as spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors.  You can also show how you add additional supporting reasons to make your writing more persuasive to the reader.  

3. Use Anchor Charts

You want your students to know that when they write an opinion piece they are sharing their own opinion. They are not sharing true facts. Take time to review the difference between facts and opinions. Create an anchor chart that defines fact vs. opinion.

You’ll also want to review language that is specific to the genre. Remind students of the linking or transitional words that connect their opinion to their reasons.

Finally, you’ll want to create an anchor chart using the writing you model. This will serve as another example of excellent opinion writing.  As a class, add labels to identify the topic sentence, supporting reasons and the closing sentence in your shared writing.  

All of these anchor charts can be posted in your writing center. Encourage your students to refer back to them and use them as support as they write their own pieces.

4. Allow students to edit and share their writing

Provide a good writers checklist at your writing center.  For opinion writing you’ll want the checklist to include items such,  “Do I have a topic sentence that clearly states my opinion?”  “Do I have supporting reasons ?” and “Do I have a closing sentence?”, as well as reminders to check for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors.  

You can also create a rubric specific to the genre. Model how you use it to assess your own work and how it can be used to provide feedback to others.   

Give students the opportunity to share their writing with others!  Pair students with partners and let them read their pieces to each other.  Encourage them to provide feedback using the editing checklist and the rubric as a guide.  

5. Provide Daily Opportunities for Students to Write

As with all things, writing takes PRACTICE!  Students need dedicated instructional time to learn the skills and strategies necessary to become effective writers, as well as time to practice what they learn.   When you think about your daily instructional schedule, make sure you are giving your students ample opportunities to practice their opinion writing through whole-group instruction, small groups and/or independent practice in writing centers. 

Opinion Writing Unit For Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Students

Today I’m excited to share with you the details about my Kindergarten Opinion , 1st Grade Opinion , and my 2nd grade Opinion Writing units!  I love them because they have ALL the resources you need to give your students the practice they need to master opinion writing.  

These units were developed with standards-based research specific to each grade. You can use them within whole class or small group instruction, or as a literacy center activity where students can practice opinion writing independently!  

What’s Included in these Opinion Writing Resources?

The kindergarten , first grade , and the second grade opinion writing resources each include information to help you unpack the unit and a mini-lesson you’ll teach to give your students a review of opinion writing.  You’ll get a list of suggested mentor texts and online resources, printable anchor charts, graphic organizers, seasonal writing prompts, and conversational task cards to help get kids to share their opinion on different topics.  

Kindergarten Opinion Writing Unit

Kindergarteners will probably need a review of fact vs. opinion so the kindergarten resource includes a printable fact vs. opinion anchor chart . You’ll also get charts with opinion writing sentence starters to help them organize their reasons and thoughts.  

The kindergarten seasonal writing prompts come with traceable sentence stems and picture supported vocabulary word bank to assist young writers in brainstorming ideas and spelling words while writing.

Finally, you’ll get an editing checklist that is specific to opinion writing but also appropriate for the kindergarten level. 

First Grade and Second Grade Opinion Writing Units

The first and second-grade resources include fact vs. opinion and linking words anchor charts that provide review and help them organize their ideas.  

To help first and second-graders practice writing you’ll get 28 “Would You Rather” seasonal conversational opinion centers and 24 writing prompts. That’s more than enough to keep kids engaged in sharing their opinions all throughout the year!  

The prompts are both PRINTABLE & DIGITAL. The digital version has been PRELOADED for you, with 1 click add them to your Google Drive or upload them to SeeSaw.

Each seasonal prompt printable paper includes a story-specific vocabulary bank to provide spelling assistance and help students get ideas for reasons to support their opinion. 

Finally, you’ll also get a self-editing checklist and rubric that have both been made specifically for opinion writing.  This rubric can be used as a self-assessment tool or as a guide for peer feedback.     

I love these writing units because they can be used in so many different ways.  They offer opportunities for students to practice opinion writing as a whole class, in small groups, as a literacy center activity, for homework, or as a meaningful activity for when they have a substitute teacher!  

FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers

Are you ready to begin Opinion Writing in your classroom? To help get you started, I am happy to offer you 3 FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers! You can download them here .

The ability to state one’s opinion and support it with persuasive reasons is a valuable academic and LIFE skill!  I hope the information and resources I’ve shared today will help to bring stronger opinion writing instruction and more meaningful practice to your kindergarten, first and second-grade classrooms!

Be on the lookout for my next post that will focus on the final genre… Narrative Writing! I’ll share information and tips for teaching narrative writing, as well as give you details about my Narrative Writing Units for kindergarten , first and second-grade students!

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3rd grade writing samples

by: Jessica Kelmon | Updated: November 27, 2022

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In 3rd grade writing, there’s an emphasis on students’ nonfiction writing being both well-researched and well-organized. Your child’s teacher may introduce various methods to help kids organize their thoughts — from outlining to using Post-it notes and everything in between. These 3rd grade writing samples come from a class where the teacher has the kids use colored paper: pink paper for introductions, yellow paper for supporting reasons (backed by evidence ), and green paper for conclusions. There are a couple of key differences you may notice this year in terms of fundamental 3rd grade skills . For example, while second graders simply write straightforward introductory statements in their reports, third grade writing is supposed to have, “grabby,” or intriguing introductions to pique the reader’s interest. Read more about your third grader’s writing under the Common Core .

Third grade writing sample #1

Saving Water by Bella

In her report, Bella does a great job of writing a “grabby” introduction and making sure that her conclusion relates to her introduction.

Third grade writing sample #2

Saving Water by Cade

Notice how Cade includes details in his introduction. He also includes many supporting reasons, also called evidence from the text, in his report. Using evidence is an essential skill that continues to be a focus every year.

Third grade writing sample #3

Saving Water by Laura

Third graders are taught to emphasize the content and organization of their writing. Making edits to spelling and grammar are considered a final step — and aren’t quite as important as getting their ideas on paper. As you read Laura’s report, you may notice the spelling corrections (like the dark “c” in “faucet”) that she makes at the end, after concentrating on her introduction, supporting reasons, and conclusion.

See more examples of real kids’ writing in different grades: Kindergarten , first grade , second grade , fourth grade , fifth grade .

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Opinion paragraphs with examples

Use examples to support your opinion.

Students write an opinion paragraph including 3 reasons and a supporting example for each reason . A graphic organizer is provided to help the student structure the paragraph. 

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