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Teaching Topic Sentences

By Mary Montero

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I am so lucky to be working side-be-side with the creator of an incredible writing program this year, and this topic sentences lesson is one big reason why!  She and a former colleague (who I taught 3rd grade with) created the entire school-wide curriculum, and it is so cohesive!  I’m LOVING it.  I love having something that I can turn to and an excellent scope and sequence for writing.  It’s especially fantastic because, as a school-wide program, the kids build on what they are learning year to year… which is why when I started teaching topic sentences this time, almost ALL of the kids were already familiar with the concept and the types of sentences we use. You can read more about the writing curriculum here.  

Teaching Topic Sentences Anchor Chart and Lesson

We started off with a quick introduction lesson on topic sentences.  The Write Now Right Now curriculum has four types of topic sentences they teach, and they are great starters for kids.

The four types of topic sentences we teach are If…Then, Even though, Since, and When.  They catch on VERY quickly to these types of sentences!

They each wrote in their notebook the four types of sentences (here is a picture of my teacher notebook that I projected on the board).   They wrote an example of each and they also wrote their own for a different topic (recess).

Now, even though our overall topic was mountain biking, we had a discussion about what the specific topics that go with each of these topic sentences would be… We wrote out the specific topics for each.  The next step would be outlining the details to support the main topic.

Here’s another example to use as part of your teaching topic sentences lesson.

Topic Sentences Practice Activity

The next day, we did an activity inspired by Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6.  Read her original blog post HERE , because it’s great and covers so many topics!

Since I didn’t have the same cards she used (or anything like it), I quickly typed up eight paragraphs.  One set of paragraphs included topic sentences and the other didn’t.  Most of my kids were doing really well, so I only used the one without topic sentences.  You can use them however you like, but I designed them to be good for differentiating.

I put one paragraph each on a paper bag and put them around the room.  In partners, the students rotated around the room, writing one of each type of topic sentence (as seen above).  Then, they put it into the bag.  So at the end, we had TONS of topic sentences in the bags, and the best part of it was that they were all unique! We pulled several from each bag to read and discuss.   Nobody saw other people’s sentences until the end when we pulled them out, so they weren’t inspired by others… This is also a GREAT main idea assessment.

There are two almost identical sets.  One without example topic sentences and one with.   You can download the topic sentence cards for free HERE to use next time you’re teaching topic sentences.

Topic Sentences in Writing

When it’s time for students to apply topic sentences to their own writing, I love using mentor texts. Using text exemplars as mentor texts to help students identify specific parts of all three writing genres will be a game-changer in your instruction! Every time I teach a specific component of writing — like creating the topic sentence in an informative text — I end up writing my own example as a mentor text for students to dissect.

After doing this for years, this incredible set of mentor texts was designed specifically to help you teach students about specific parts of writing . I have provided a model text, annotation guides and questions, and components that will help your students clearly identify and emulate the important parts of writing! This bundle includes informational text, narrative text, and opinion text lessons.

Looking for more writing tips? Read these posts !

Mary Montero

I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.

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I love this activity! Providing sentence structures for kids is such a great way to grow their writing skills and stretch their language. They have to be thoughtful to decide which would work best for their piece. Thanks for sharing this!

Buzzing with Ms. B

Thanks so much! I've adapted for middle school in prep for provincial exams! Love the differentiation and active involvement:)

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing! This is my first year teaching 4th (previously kinder) and I can use all the help I can get. These are perfect!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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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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13 Strategies To Improve Student Classroom Discussions (Plus Anchor Charts)

And Textual Evidence Anchor Charts!

Leo Tolstoy’s The Two Brothers tells the story of two brothers who are offered the opportunity to find happiness. One chooses to go on a journey and finds happiness—as well as difficulties—along the way, while the other stays at home and leads a happy but uneventful life. When Jasmine Williams’ fifth-grade students at Carter School of Excellence in Chicago read The Two Brothers , they held classroom discussions around this question: Which brother made the better choice?

Williams’ students sat in a circle, holding their books and graphic organizers filled with notes. “I believe the older brother made the best decision,” said one student, “because in the text, the author said that he weighed all the negative possibilities and risks first.” And with that first interpretation they’re off and running.

Citing textual evidence is about more than rattling off quotes from the story. It involves selecting and interpreting just the right evidence, says John Riley, the Great Books Foundation’s director of professional learning. “Ultimately, textual evidence is what makes students’ answers credible.”

Classroom discussions are a perfect place to develop students’ ability to use textual evidence. In classroom discussions, students work with multiple ideas and have to balance new ideas with their original conclusions. It’s a challenging task. Using evidence in discussion strengthens students’ comprehension and confidence. “It’s really, really good for kids,” says Jenny Knol, ESL teacher with Sumner County Schools in Gallatin, Tennessee. “I think they’re empowered by it. They feel better about themselves when they can prove something.”

As teachers know well, finding and using textual evidence is challenging for students—choosing a solid piece of evidence or creating a clear interpretation can be overwhelming. These 13-teacher and expert-tested strategies will strengthen your students’ ability to find and use evidence from any text.

1. Choose texts that inspire debate.

Stories that are driven by character actions and motivation are the ones that inspire discussion. Texts that inspire questions encourage students to return to the text and find support for their answers. Look for stories that naturally raise questions about why characters do what they do.

2. Use your greatest tool: good questions!

Questions are the greatest tool you have to prompt and encourage student thinking. By starting with one overarching focus question like “Which brother made the better choice?” you can create sequences of smaller questions that prompt students to return to the text during discussion. Some ideas: What does the character say? Why did you choose that evidence? How does the evidence support your position?

3. Get evidence from the get-go.

Require students to have evidence ready at the start of the discussion. Knol sets the expectation that her students will use textual evidence, and she tells students to “prove it” so often that they anticipate her request, have their texts open, and often return to the text before she prompts them. Requiring evidence early in the discussion sets an expectation. Reinforcing that expectation turns using textual evidence into a habit.

4. Invite multiple perspectives.

Students may think that finding evidence is proof that there’s one right answer. But in discussion, says Riley, evidence will actually open up a text to different interpretations. Citing evidence promotes the development of different ideas when students read two statements in two different ways. “Part of the Shared Inquiry™ method of learning is knowing that there are other people who will take that evidence and come up with another argument,” says Knol. And that is fine. Establish the expectation that answers can and will diverge. “The more your classroom has an inquiry focus, the more students will be able to see other perspectives.”

5. Add interpretation.

Heidi Morgan, fifth- and sixth-grade language arts teacher in New Lenox, Illinois, finds that students often want to find a quote and declare themselves done. The challenge is getting students to expand and explain. To get students to explain why they choose a piece of evidence, provide them with a structure that moves from evidence to interpretation. Williams’ students use a graphic organizer with three columns: They write their answer in the first column, note textual evidence in the second, and explain their evidence in the third.

6. Use sentence starters strategically.

Williams gives her students sentence starters to identify their evidence (e.g., “In the text … the author mentions …”). Then, she helps them make the bridge from evidence to interpretation with additional sentence starters (“the author uses this evidence to … this lets us know that …”). “The sentence starters help,” she says, “because students know the direction in which they’re supposed to go.”

7. Develop and deepen arguments.

During discussion, send students back to the text for more evidence by prompting them to expand on a classmate’s idea or deepen the discussion. Prompt students by saying, “I heard this person say something that contradicts …” or “These students all said something similar … does anyone have a different idea?” You want students to consider implications and bulk up their answers by developing their arguments, says Williams.

8. Slow down classroom discussions.

Stopping to get evidence slows the speed of discussion, and that’s a good thing. “Most discussions move too quickly,” says Riley, “and great ideas get totally lost.” Give students enough time to flip through and find just the right piece of evidence. If other students are getting antsy, choose one of your always-ready students to share, then loop back to the student who needed time with the text.

9. Practice in a pattern.

To avoid a pileup of one idea, establish a discussion structure that requires debate. Every student in Williams’ class must respond by addressing the claims of the people before them and then provide their counterclaims. “The easy part is making the claim,” says Williams. “They become masters when they are able to use evidence to knock out someone else’s claim.”

10. Go for the nitty-gritty.

Once students have answered the focus question, encourage them to get into the details. Exploring specific sentences and words can engage students with additional aspects of the text and spin off into an analysis of the author’s craft.

11. Anticipate and correct misunderstandings.

“Just because there’s more than one right answer,” says Riley, “doesn’t mean there’s no wrong answer.” If a student offers up a misunderstanding or misinterpretation, prompt him or her to go back to the text, or offer it up to the group. Either way, make sure students leave with a clear understanding of what the text said and how.

12. Encourage ownership.

Knol knows her students are making progress when she sees them move from using the prescribed list of sentence starters (“According to page …”) to putting their textual evidence in their own words. “At the beginning of the year,” she says, “they’re dependent on [the sentence starters], and by the end of the year, they use those naturally.” Listen for how students personalize the discussion, and encourage them to develop their own voice. Once students have built a repertoire of authentic starters and prompts, create an anchor chart that makes their language a part of your class.

13. Reflect.

After their Shared Inquiry™ discussions, each student writes a reflection. They answer the focus question a second time, explain whether or not they changed their answers, and reflect on how the evidence brought up during discussion impacted their thinking. Taking time to reflect solidifies the importance of textual evidence and helps students incorporate the lessons learned.

10 Textual Evidence Anchor Charts

Well-placed anchor charts are a reference for students and a tool that promotes great discussions. These 10 anchor charts will reinforce your students’ skills when it comes to finding and using textual evidence.

1. Prove It

This anchor chart merges sentence starters with examples that help students see how to present their evidence in full sentences.

2. Show Me the Evidence

Sticky notes added to this anchor chart allow you to keep it up-to-date with the best ways each sentence starter was used.

3. Infer It

For discussions that center on character decisions, this bright, bold anchor chart encourages students to use textual evidence to support their character analysis.

4. Look to the Text

Use any text to create this anchor chart that prompts students to go back to the text. This chart also reinforces paraphrasing and reminds students to put ideas from the text into their own words.

5. From the Author’s Point of View

Quotes and ideas from the text (in blue) and the ideas that come from them (in orange) reinforce the idea that you have to find evidence and use it to make a claim.

SOURCE: Around the Kampfire

6. Character Traits Revealed

This anchor chart can be used over and over as students use sticky notes to respond to different stories.

7. Tracking Text

Encourage students to get, use and think about evidence with this anchor chart. The levels and images (inner tube, snorkel and gold treasure) could also be used to give students feedback on how they’re using textual evidence.

8. Reader Response

Use this chart to track which students are proposing textual evidence (with a box for each student) or keep track of textual evidence that students find each day (with a box for each day of discussion).

9. Character Discussion

When you’re reading multiple texts about a subject, record textual evidence with different colors for each type of text (fiction and informational text, primary and secondary sources, etc.).

10. Conversation Reminders

This anchor chart keeps students grounded in the elements of a quality discussion.

 By Samantha Cleaver

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Love the sentence activity! Thank you!

Deb, thanks for the amazing freebie. I am totally in LOVE with the fact that you even gave us the graphics for the anchor chart too. I LOVE things to match and it will make it so much easier for my fourth graders.

Thanks for the freebie! I intend to use it in their interactive grammar notebook this week

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Home » Anchor Charts » What Is An Opinion Writing Anchor Chart And Where To Find One Online

What Is An Opinion Writing Anchor Chart And Where To Find One Online

Learning how to write academically can pose a challenge. Students need to get familiar with several types of writing, and it can be difficult to keep up with different formats and approaches for each writing style. Younger students especially struggle as they’re new to writing in general and need help with the basic concepts, such as paragraphs and transition words.

An anchor chart is there to help them visualize the information you present, and they can also use it as a reference point in the future. We’ll show you what an opinion writing anchor chart should consist of and where you can download high-quality, ready-to-use anchor charts for your class.

What Is an Opinion Anchor Chart

Unlike informational writing, which presents facts as they are, opinion writing is there to show the author’s point of view on a specific topic and to persuade the reader to agree.

An opinion anchor chart is a teaching tool that helps students get a visual representation of the writing format, as well as some of the writing concepts . The chart also serves as a reminder they can turn to when writing their essay.

A writing anchor chart can focus on different elements of writing, but you should always start with the ones that focus on the structure, such as:

• Introduction anchor chart
• Paragraph anchor chart
• Conclusion anchor chart
• Body paragraph anchor chart

Elements of a Good Opinion Writing Anchor Chart

How exactly would you create an opinion writing anchor chart? Well, again, much like opinion itself, that varies. How you do it depends on your students’ age and cognitive level. Even so, however, the basic anchor principles are the same. How far you go with them can be adapted to suit the grade level. 

Differentiate between ‘fact’ and ‘opinion’

Fact and opinion are both important in writing a good opinion piece because they serve different purposes. Facts provide the foundation or support for an opinion. In contrast, opinions are the main idea or position the student tries to express.

It’s important to differentiate between the two so that students understand how to use them effectively in their writing. And, believe it or not, they often struggle to understand the difference.

For example, they may think a statement like “John thinks ice cream is the best food on earth” as an opinion, informing the reader of John’s attitude towards ice cream. However, the fact remains that John thinks ice cream is the best food on earth.

An opinion would be assuming that everyone should feel the same way. For example, “Ice cream is by far the best food on earth”.

An opinion piece without any facts to back it up is likely to be less convincing and less effective. Finding a middle ground between the two is important to write an effective opinion piece.

Show the differences between an opinion piece and a commentary

Students often confuse an opinion piece with a commentary. An opinion piece is a personal response to an issue – like a current event, a school or home rule, or even a new menu in the cafeteria. A commentary, on the other hand, is an unbiased analysis of an issue or topic. But, unlike an opinion piece, a commentary doesn’t offer the writer’s personal take on a subject.

You can illustrate this with a chart or table that shows the differences between opinion and commentary. For example, in the “Opinion” column, you might write, “Opinion is personal,” ; whereas in the “Commentary” column, you could write, “With commentary, it’s nothing personal” .

Show them how to organize their ideas with an essay outline

Create a simple visual representation of the framework – or essay outline. An opinion piece can’t be written off the bat. Students will need to construct an opinion piece. A standard essay outline lists the main points covered in the piece. So, first, pick a topic.

Alternatively, each student can pick their own topic, and you can all work on your anchor charts together. Next, create a mind map of the beginning, middle, and end of the “story” or opinion that needs to be put across: i.e., opening statement, argument, and conclusion.

Demonstrate persuasive writing

An opinion piece is written to persuade the reader to share the writer’s point of view on a topic. To write an opinion piece, you must develop the three key components from the previous point above a strong opening statement, an argument (or supporting paragraphs), and a concluding paragraph.

The first paragraph should grab readers’ attention and offer a detailed topic summary . The second paragraph should feature one or more supporting examples to help prove your point. The final section should conclude the topic and summarize the main points of your opinion piece.

Writing Hooks Anchor Chart From Sassy Savvy Simple Teaching

Opinion writing hooks anchor charts are the first charts you should introduce to your students when it comes to actual writing. Use charts to show them what a hook is and how they can use it to pull the reader in. 

Since writing a hook can be difficult for students, try to provide them with colorful examples and leave empty spaces for them to fill out. This will help them get a visual aid of hooks and start their creative process.

You can have an anchor chart that focuses on one or all of the most common hook types:

• Interesting fact

Opinion Transition Words Anchor Chart From Weebly

Show the students how they can link sentences and paragraphs together with transition words. This is a powerful tool that many students (especially younger ones) neglect, and they can get used to using it by having a chart by their side. This chart can help them come up with the appropriate transition word. As time goes by, using transition words will become more natural, and they won’t have to refer to the anchor chart every time.

You can use different designs here, depending on how you want them to use transition words. For example, you can use a stoplight design and give examples for three types of transition words:

Opinion Reasons Anchor Charts—OREO From Our Global Classroom

Opinion Reasons anchor charts are great as they teach students about the structure of a good opinion writing piece. It shows how they’re supposed to present their thoughts and how to reinforce them with logic. Having a memorable acronym is only a bonus.

Use this chart to introduce the OREO formula and show students how to present their ideas. The formula is as follows:

• Opinion —Introduce your opinion about a given topic
• Reason —Provide information or logical explanations that support your opinion
• Examples —Give details and real-life scenarios that support your opinion
• Opinion —State your opinion again to affirm your point of view

Download High-Quality Opinion Writing Anchor Charts From Teach Simple

While writing anchor charts can be straightforward, and you can even get your students to make them, they still need to be carefully thought out. How do you make sure you use all the necessary information and the easy-to-remember definitions? Planning an anchor chart can be difficult, and it can take you hours, especially if you’re new to it.

If you don’t have the time (or the will) to come up with your own for every class you plan, you can sign up for Teach Simple and find thousands of lesson plans , anchor charts, and other materials related to ELA and writing in particular.

Every product listed on Teach Simple is made by a teacher exclusively, and other teachers review each material to ensure it meets various standards and quality requirements. This way, you can rest assured you’ll enrich your classes with high-quality anchor charts made by people who know what it takes to teach students different types of writing.

Different ways to use anchor charts to teach opinion writing

Let’s look at how anchor charts can be used differently to highlight opinion writing.

  Scaffolding From Lucky Little Learners

Students who are not proficient in each element of scaffolding writing can become overwhelmed quickly, so instruction in these elements is crucial. However, breaking them down into bite-sized portions will make them much more manageable.

Fact Vs. Opinion sorting From Lucky Little Learners

Sorting facts and opinions is something that should be done in groups. What better way to get your students to express their opinions? And you can build the anchor chart together, making it far more relevant to the students. You could use many techniques to practice this skill with your team. For example, ask your students to jot down one thing they know about broccoli on a post-it note and stick it to the board. The students will typically write that it’s green, tasty, gross, healthy, and a vegetable. Once the notes are placed on the board, discuss whether a claim is a fact or an opinion and categorize it.

Display examples

It is essential to show students what various levels of mastery look like. Showing your students examples of completed writing can help them visualize expectations and encourage them to keep working and growing.

Model good opinion writing from Mrs. Winter’s Bliss

To illustrate how you would use a graphic organizer to plan your writing, model it for your students. At the beginning of your writing, introduce your perspective with a topic sentence. Next, list your supporting arguments. Finish with a final sentence that reiterates your viewpoint. As a group, identify the topic sentence, the supporting reasons, and the conclusion in your shared writing.

Opinion Essay Structure From Wild About Fifth

Opinion writing resources from Teach Simple

Looking for an opinion writing chart that covers all the bases? Here is everything you need. All these charts and resources support the elements you need to get started to ensure your students understand how to express their opinion in writing.

Opinion writing anchor chart By First in Line

These charts give students the O.R.E.O. acronym to remember and can be placed on a display board or in their notebooks.

Digital graphic organizers By Teach Me This

This resource is jam-packed with digital opinion writing templates that will give your students multiple opportunities to practice this comprehension strategy.

“What do you think?” opinion writing activity By Have Fun Teaching

This graphic organizer is perfect for younger students and guides them every step of the way.

“Would you rather…?” By Aunt Minty’s Education Place

This resource is compiled with 20 high-interest opinion/persuasive writing activities designed for students in Grades K-3.

Opinion writing unit – analyze two accounts of the same topic

This resource lets students practice analyzing multiple versions of the same issue and integrating their learning into a complete opinion response.

Opinion writing unit: paid for chores By Life Beyond the Gradebook

Two texts are included in this resource, one in support of the topic, and one against the topic. The students should use these texts to find evidence that supports their own opinion and use it in their essays.

Opinion writing Anchor Charts from Teachers

Opinion transitions from art of it.

Sentence starters and transition examples can ease students in and take some of the pressure off.

Opinion writing planner From Art Of It

This prewriting graphic organizer will guide students through their planning process.

  Opinion writing checklist From Worksheetplace

This checklist is great for helping students check their work to ensure they have covered everything.

Having a wide variety of opinion anchor charts available can help break down a topic into smaller chunks and make it easier to understand. In addition, using visual aids like anchor charts helps make the lessons more memorable and engaging. Finally, when students need a confidence boost, they are usually grateful to have something to refer so they can move forward independently.

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Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Teach Simple

Sentence Starters Anchor Chart [Hard Good] Option# 1

$ 15.00

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This is a hard good item. This is NOT digital. There is no download included.

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• Printed, laminated and cut out anchor chart ready to use!
• There are NO holes punched in the anchor chart. You may add holes using hole punch or add magnets to the back.

How to Use:

Anchor Charts can be used to teach concepts and then be displayed to review skills. Students have a reference point. They involve students during the creation process and they are much more ENGAGED in lesson because they have input in the creation of them! The anchor charts can be displayed in the classroom and students can refer back to them when working on their own.

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