24 PLAN A PLAYGROUND
ePresentation
Project Portfolio P
Writing Connection
Opinion Writing ORGANIZATION
Display Opinion Writing. Tell students that opinion writing presents an
opinion to an audience. Explain to students that opinion writing clearly states
the opinion, provides facts and details to support the opinion, uses linking
words and phrases, and has a strong conclusion. Read the passage aloud.
Basketball is the best sport. Millions of people all over
the world play basketball. It is fun and a good workout,
too. For instance, you build cardiovascular fitness as
you run up and down the court. This is one reason why
basketball is the best sport.
Model identifying the elements of opinion writing. Say: The writer states
his or her opinion, that basketball is the best sport, clearly in the first
sentence. Guide students in identifying the facts and details that support
the opinion, linking words and phrases, and the concluding statement.
1. Explore Writing Checklist & Assessment Guide
Distribute copies of the Writing Checklist (p. 46), the Project Portfolio
Assessment Guide (p. 43), and the Opinion Writing Assessment Guide (p. 41).
Review the Writing Checklist categories and the conventions and traits students
should include in their written work. Review the Project Portfolio Assessment
Guide to support students tracking the completion of project tasks.
Display the Opinion Writing Assessment Guide (p. 47). Review the expectations
and criteria. Tell students to refer to this assessment guide throughout the writing
process as a guide to meeting expectations. Have students store their Writing
Checklist, Project Portfolio Assessment Guide, and Opinion Writing Assessment
Guide in the back pocket of their P Project Portfolios.
2. Review Academic Vocabulary
Display Academic Vocabulary Review. Tell students that they are going to
use their knowledge of the academic vocabulary words to answer the
questions. Clarify that understanding the meaning of these vocabulary words
will be important when writing and presenting their proposals.
Ask: How can you use context to help answer the questions?
• What might you include in a budget for a community garden?
Ideas: money for land, gardening equipment, and seeds
WHOLE CLASS 5
Mins
WHOLE CLASS 10
Mins
WHOLE CLASS 10
Mins
Write
Day 7
Have students
refer to the academic
vocabulary definitions
in their P Project
Portfolios for support.