5th grade sample opinion essay

Student Writing Samples | Opinion Writing

Opinion Writing- Grade 5 - Autumn

Read Time 4 mins | Dec 8, 2021 4:49:12 PM | Written by: Toolbox

Informational/Opinion Writing Grade 5 Sample Autumn

Feedback for Improvement

Topic: Autumn - my favorite season Main Reason#1: changes in nature Main Reason #2: animals prepare  Main Reason #3: weather changes

What worked:

• Organization:   This piece includes an introduction, three main reasons and a conclusion. The student clearly understands the organization and author’s purpose of informational/opinion writing.
• Main Ideas: There are three main reasons, however, the nature of the main reasons is overlapping. See the prescriptive lessons below for additional commentary.
• Elaboration: There is some evidence of the detail generating questions. In paragraph two the author writes, “The leaves change slowly to red, orange, and yellow. This gives people the chance to gaze at this beautiful scenery for a little over two months.” There are additional sentences that are descriptive in nature, however they are extraneous from the main reason. In some instances, the descriptive detail does not go on to include “Why is it important?” so it reads like a description for the sake of description.
• Sentence Variety/Word Choice: The student uses interesting sentences. For example, “Therefore autumn offers us a large assortment of positive changes.” Another example, “Thus animals once again are ready for survival!”

Feedback with Prescriptive Lesson:

CHOOSE a Focus Skill: What skill will make the biggest impact for this writer?

Broad Yet Distinct Main Ideas/Reasons:  This piece of writing displayed some overlapping of main reasons. This student would benefit from a deep dive into this skill. When looking at the details that support each main reason, the reader can easily see that there are details that could fit into any one of these main reasons. For example, in the first main reason paragraph the author writes, “Many birds except for crows fly south where it’s a bit warmer in early October.” This detail could easily fit into the paragraph all about how animals prepare. Another example of the overlapping nature of the main reasons is in main reason three where the student writes, “The days get darker and darker as the earth rotates further and further away from the sun.” This detail is really about changes in nature. Because of this overlapping nature, the reader is left to wonder what this piece is really all about. 

All lessons in this section need to be taught with an emphasis on Lesson 3 Pick, List, and Choose. The importance of choosing broad yet distinct main ideas/reasons affects every other part of the writing. Once you’ve established a number of main ideas/reasons through the pick, list, choose process, then it’s imperative that you look at those that could potentially overlap and make sure students choose main ideas/reasons that are distinct from one another. 

• Section 2 Lesson 3: Pick, List, and Choose
• Section 2 Lesson 5: Main Ideas - Don't Overlap Them!
• Section 2 Lesson 6: Main Ideas/Reasons - Broad or Too Narrow?

This student obviously understands the structure of informational/opinion writing but needs direct instruction in choosing main ideas/reasons that are distinct. The fact that there is some powerful word choice, interesting description, and sentence variety is overshadowed by the overlapping nature of the main ideas/reasons.

Recommended Resources

• Empowering Writer's Methodology
• Informational & Opinion Writing Guide for Grade 5

55 Opinion Writing Prompts For 5th Graders

I believe that libraries should be open twenty-four hours a day. Keeping libraries open would give people who work odd hours the opportunity to use the services offered. It also gives unhoused individuals somewhere to go when the weather is bad at night. In addition…

Learning to form an opinion and supporting it is an important part of your education.

It makes you a stronger writer  and  it teaches you how to properly research things that are important to you.

Check out our list of prompts below, and get ready to write!

Using This Guide

There is no right or wrong way to use this guide. As long as you’re practicing the skills you’ve learned in school, you’re already on the right track. But if you need some ideas to help you get started, try one of these ideas:

• Scroll through the list and pick the first prompt that jumps out at you.
• Add today’s month and date, and use that number.
• Ask your teacher which topic they think you would be most interested in.

Pick a Prompt and Go!

• Which subject is the most important for students to learn? Why?
• Is it better to take risks or to be careful?
• Do you think sports should be segregated by gender? Why or why not?
• Is it important for kids to know about current events?
• Do you think school lunches should be healthier?
• Should students be allowed at parent-teacher conferences?
• Do you think students should be required to learn cursive? Why or why not?
• Should students be allowed to choose their teacher?
• Why do you think your favorite professional sports is team the best?
• Should Black history be taught more than just one month out of the year?
• Do you think 5th graders need cell phones?
• Would you rather wear a uniform to school, or casual clothes? Why?
• Should students have several short breaks throughout the day, or one long break?
• Are cell phones the biggest distraction in class? If not, what is?
• Do you think homework should be mandatory?
• Write a persuasive essay to your principal asking for a later start time.
• Would it be better to start and end school one hour earlier, or one hour later?
• Should students be required to read classic literature?
• Which type of pet is the best?
• Should students be allowed to pick where they sit in class?
• Should schools grade on a pass/fail basis or keep the A-F scale?
• Would you rather be the very best at one thing, or “just okay” at a bunch of things?
• You just caught your best friend cheating on a test. Do you tell the teacher? Why or why not?
• Should competitive gaming be considered a sport?
• Should students be paid for going to school? If so, what should they be paid for, and how much?
• Should schools teach more LGBT+ history?
• Do schools do enough to prevent bullying?
• What is the best video game ever made? Why?
• Should kids get to choose their own bedtime?
• In your opinion, is virtual school more or less beneficial than in-person learning?
• Is it important to try new things?
• Should students be required to take PE?
• Are mental health days important for students?
• Does your city do enough to help the environment?
• Do you prefer sweet or salty treats?
• Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
• Do you think aliens are real?
• Should students be required to take an art or music class? Why?
• What is the best board game ever made? Why?
• Is it important for everyone to learn at least one foreign language?
• Is cold pizza a tasty breakfast?
• Who is the better hero: Harry Potter or Percy Jackson?
• Are 5th graders responsible enough to babysit?
• What is the best book ever, and why?
• Should etiquette be taught in schools?
• Is your city a good place to live?
• Should students be allowed to be more involved in school politics?
• Do grades really matter? Why or why not?
• What do you think is the hardest job in the world?
• Should kids be allowed more screen time?
• Are schools inclusive and accessible enough? What more could they do?
• Who is the best Marvel hero? Why?
• Should the voting age be lowered? If so, to what age?
• Is social media harmful to preteens and teens?
• Which season is the best? Why?

Looking For More?

If you’re looking for more prompts, activities, and homework resources, we’ve got you covered.

And if you’re looking for something specific but can’t find it, let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

Opinion Writing Prompts 5th Grade: Express Your Insights

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.

1. Engaging Opinion ‍Writing Prompts to ⁣Nurture Critical Thinking ⁤Skills

2. ⁤promoting⁣ self-expression: captivating writing ideas for 5th graders, 3. crafting compelling arguments:‌ inspiring topics for opinion pieces, 4. encouraging ⁢empathy and⁢ perspective-taking ⁣through‌ opinion writing, 5. fostering a love for writing: exciting prompts for ‍5th grade⁤ opinion essays, 6. immerse in real-world⁢ issues: thought-provoking writing ⁣prompts for young⁤ minds, 7. ⁢nurturing‌ strong communication skills: opinion writing‍ activities and prompts, 8. enhancing analytical thinking: ⁢stimulating ⁢opinion writing prompts ‌for 5th graders, frequently asked questions, the ‍conclusion.

‍ ‍ Looking for ​ thought-provoking writing‌ prompts to​ stimulate your critical thinking​ skills? Look no further! Our engaging selection of‌ opinion writing prompts is designed ⁤to challenge your perspectives and encourage⁤ you⁤ to ​think ‍critically about various‍ topics. Whether you’re a student⁤ honing ‍your ​analytical abilities or⁣ an individual seeking intellectual⁢ stimulation, these ‍prompts will⁤ help you develop your critical thinking skills ‌in a fun and interactive ‌way.

⁣ Our carefully curated ⁤collection⁤ of ⁣opinion writing prompts covers a wide range of ⁤subjects, allowing you to explore multiple areas of interest. From current‍ events and ‍social issues to‌ personal beliefs and ethical dilemmas, our prompts offer a diverse set of ⁤topics to ensure​ a stimulating experience for every writer. By ​expressing your opinions, ⁤analyzing ⁤different⁣ viewpoints, and supporting your arguments with evidence, you ⁣will ​strengthen your ​critical thinking ⁤abilities and enhance‌ your ability to articulate⁢ your thoughts ​effectively. ⁢

• Encourage exploration: Our prompts are designed to spark ⁢curiosity and prompt ⁣in-depth research, allowing you to ‍dive deeper into various subjects.
• Promote analysis: By presenting‌ prompts‌ that require ‌you to evaluate multiple perspectives, we foster‌ critical ‍thinking‌ by encouraging you to ‌assess information ⁣critically.
• Develop argumentation skills: Crafting ​well-supported arguments helps⁢ exercise‍ your critical thinking ‍muscles and ​enhances your ability to communicate effectively.
• Foster open-mindedness: Engaging with diverse opinions and beliefs ‌through⁤ our⁤ prompts will nurture ​an open-minded approach to different perspectives.

Dive‍ into our collection of ⁣engaging opinion ‌writing prompts and unlock⁤ the potential of ⁢your⁢ critical thinking⁢ skills.⁣ Challenge yourself, ‌broaden your horizons, and sharpen your ​analytical abilities ​like never before! ⁣

Engaging 5th graders‍ in the world of writing ⁢can be ⁢an exciting journey of ⁣self-expression and ⁣creativity. Here, we ‍present a variety of ‍interesting⁤ writing ideas to help ⁣your 5th ​graders unleash​ their imagination and develop their ‌writing skills. Encourage them to express their ‍thoughts,‍ emotions, ​and experiences through captivating​ compositions ‌that will leave ⁢readers‌ wanting more.

1. Travel⁤ Diary: ⁢ Imagine you‌ are visiting ‌a place‍ that has always fascinated you. Write a descriptive travel diary entry capturing​ the ⁢sights, ⁢sounds, ‌and ​even the local culture of your ⁤dream‍ destination. Don’t forget ⁣to include ‍personal ⁤experiences ⁤and memorable moments!

2. Dear ⁣Future Me: Write a‌ heartfelt letter to your future ⁢self. Share your aspirations, goals, and dreams for the person‌ you’ll become. Reflect⁤ on the lessons you’ve learned and ‌the achievements you hope to accomplish as you grow older.

3. Superhero Tale: ⁣Create⁢ your own superhero⁤ and write an⁣ action-packed story featuring their incredible⁣ adventures. ​Consider their ⁣superpowers, challenges they face,‍ and the impact they make on society.​ Let ⁣your imagination soar!

4. ⁢ Poetry Corner: Explore the magic of poetry by writing a heartfelt poem about ⁣a significant ⁤person, place, or event in your life. Experiment with different‍ rhyming schemes or forms such as haiku⁣ or sonnet,⁢ and let your words flow like a river!

5. Pet Adventure: ⁣Imagine that your beloved pet embarks on an⁣ unexpected ​adventure. Write an engaging narrative that ⁢chronicles ⁤their thrilling journey ‌filled with⁤ unexpected twists and turns.⁢ Don’t forget to convey their ‌emotions and the lessons they learn along the‌ way!

Encourage‍ your⁢ 5th graders ​to‍ embrace these writing⁤ ideas as a canvas for their unique thoughts⁢ and ideas. Let‌ them showcase their creativity and watch as their passion for writing ​flourishes!

Opinion ​pieces are a powerful ​platform to express your thoughts, influence ‌public ‌opinion, ⁣and ignite meaningful discussions.‌ To ⁢craft a compelling argument, it is crucial to select‌ inspiring topics that captivate ⁢readers and stimulate ⁣their curiosity. Here are ⁤some thought-provoking subject areas to‍ consider:

• Climate change activism: Explore the urgency⁢ of combating climate change, the‌ importance of renewable energy sources, or the⁤ impact of ⁤climate policies on⁤ future ‍generations.
• Ethical ​considerations in technology: Delve ⁤into the⁤ ethical dilemmas surrounding⁣ artificial intelligence, ‌privacy issues ‌in social ⁣media,⁤ or the consequences‌ of technological advancements on⁤ employment.
• Gender equality and feminism: Discuss the progress ⁢made towards gender equality, the‍ challenges still faced by ‍women in‍ society, or the importance ​of intersectionality ⁣in‍ the feminist movement.
• Education⁢ reform: Investigate the‌ need for innovative teaching methods, the ⁣influence ‍of standardized⁢ testing ​on students, ⁢or⁢ the benefits of inclusive education.

Remember, ⁣the key to creating⁢ compelling arguments lies in presenting well-researched facts, engaging anecdotes, and persuasive⁤ reasoning.⁤ Choose topics ‍that⁤ align with your passions and leverage⁢ the power of your ‍words ​to ⁢inspire change and‍ spark⁤ dialogue.

Opinion​ writing‍ provides a valuable​ opportunity ⁤for students to ⁣develop⁢ their empathy ⁣and perspective-taking skills. By taking‌ a stance⁤ on​ a particular issue and presenting their own arguments, students are​ encouraged to consider alternative viewpoints and‌ understand⁣ the experiences⁢ and ⁣emotions ⁤of⁢ others. This process fosters‍ a‌ diverse ⁢range of perspectives ⁤and nurtures a sense of⁢ empathy​ in the classroom.

Here’s‍ how you can⁤ encourage empathy ‍and perspective-taking through opinion writing:

• Choose thought-provoking topics: Select​ topics⁤ that are⁤ relevant and ‍meaningful to students’ ‍lives. This will encourage them ‍to invest emotionally in their writing and develop a deeper ​understanding of the subject matter.
• Promote research and critical thinking: Encourage ⁣students to research​ different⁤ perspectives on an issue ⁣before forming their own opinion. This empowers them to critically evaluate information, challenge assumptions, and develop a well-rounded​ argument.
• Explore real-life experiences: Encourage students to incorporate personal anecdotes ‌or stories from others‍ to support their ​arguments. ​This not‍ only makes⁢ their ⁤writing more ‍relatable​ but also helps them connect with the experiences and ​emotions of others.
• Facilitate respectful discussions: Create a safe space ⁤for students to ⁢express their opinions‌ and engage ​in ⁣respectful dialogue ‍with their ⁤classmates. ‍This ​allows ​them ⁣to⁣ understand and appreciate differing viewpoints, fostering empathy‍ and perspective-taking ​in the process.

Incorporating these⁣ strategies into opinion writing⁤ lessons can promote a more‍ inclusive ‍and‍ empathetic ‍classroom environment. Encouraging​ students ⁢to ⁤consider‍ different⁢ perspectives through their writing ‌not ⁣only​ enhances⁣ their ⁤critical thinking skills⁤ but also cultivates empathy,⁢ an essential‍ attribute ⁢for fostering understanding and compassion in our​ increasingly ​interconnected world.

Encouraging students to develop a‌ love ​for writing is an essential part of their⁤ educational ⁢journey.⁣ Opinion essays provide a ⁣wonderful ⁢opportunity‌ for 5th graders to express⁣ their thoughts and ideas in‌ a structured ‍and persuasive manner. To make the writing process ⁤more enjoyable and engaging, here are some exciting prompts that will ⁤spark ⁣their ⁣creativity⁢ and⁤ inspire them to express ⁣their opinions⁣ with confidence:

• If I Could Create a‍ New Rule: ⁢ This ⁢prompt allows students⁢ to​ think‌ outside the box ‍and ⁤imagine a world where they have the power⁤ to ⁢make⁣ a new⁢ rule. They can explore different⁤ aspects of their lives or ⁤society that⁣ they would ⁢like to‌ change and provide strong arguments for⁤ their opinion.
• The⁤ Best Superpower: In‍ this prompt,⁣ students can let their imagination run wild and discuss what superpower ‌they ‌would choose if given the chance. They can explain ⁤why they believe ⁤that particular superpower would have the greatest positive impact on the world or their own lives.

By⁢ presenting these thrilling ⁣prompts, students will not only have ‍fun⁢ while writing‌ but also develop​ their critical thinking skills. Encourage them to gather evidence, think logically, ​and organize their thoughts effectively. Remember to​ provide opportunities for peer‌ sharing and feedback to⁣ further⁢ enhance their writing abilities. ​With these ‌stimulating prompts, 5th graders will discover ⁤the‌ joy of expressing⁢ their opinions through the ⁤power‌ of⁢ the written word!

Are you‌ a young⁤ and aspiring writer? ‍Do you want to ‌use your writing​ skills to tackle ‍real-world​ issues? Look ⁣no further!‍ Our collection of thought-provoking‍ writing prompts is here to help you immerse ⁣in ⁣the world of ‌critical⁢ thinking and problem-solving.

With these prompts, you can explore a wide​ range‌ of topics, from⁢ climate‌ change and social⁤ inequality to technological advancements‌ and global health ⁣crises. Each ‌prompt is‌ carefully ​designed to make you think ​deeply and reflect⁢ on the consequences of these pressing⁢ issues.

• Consider the ‌impact of climate change ⁢on your⁣ local⁤ community.
• Imagine a world without poverty⁤ and brainstorm actionable‌ steps to‍ achieve it.
• Explore the ethical ‍implications of ⁢artificial ⁤intelligence⁤ in healthcare.
• Analyze⁢ the⁤ role of social media in shaping public opinion.
• Discuss​ the challenges faced by ⁣refugees and⁢ propose ways to support⁤ them.

By‌ engaging with these prompts,​ you will sharpen your writing ​skills, ​develop ‌empathy, and gain⁢ a deeper ⁤understanding of the world‌ around you.‍ So grab ⁤a pen,⁤ embrace your creativity, and ⁤let your words be a catalyst ⁣for ⁣change!

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world,​ effective‌ communication is a fundamental skill ⁢that can open numerous⁢ doors ​of opportunity. Opinion writing is a powerful tool‍ to develop‌ and nurture‍ strong communication ‌skills in students. By expressing ⁢their thoughts and ideas on various ​topics, ​students improve‌ their ability to ​articulate‌ opinions and ‍support their arguments‌ with logical reasoning. Here are some creative‌ activities⁣ and prompts that can ‌help foster these skills:

• Debate Club: Encourage students ‌to ‍engage in lively debates that promote listening, critical thinking, and persuasive speaking. Prompt ⁤them ‌with controversial topics like⁣ “Should homework⁤ be abolished?” or “Is ⁤social media a positive influence?”.‍ This ⁢activity enhances their ability to present a convincing argument while respecting differing⁣ opinions.
• Opinion ⁤Journals: ⁣Have ‌students maintain opinion journals‍ where ​they⁣ can express their thoughts on current events or personal experiences. It allows⁣ them to reflect ⁤on ⁢their‌ own perspectives, refine⁢ their writing skills, and develop the⁣ habit ‌of effectively communicating their ideas in‌ writing.

Furthermore, ⁢organizing classroom discussions ‍or ⁤mock interviews relating to ‌real-world scenarios can​ significantly‌ enhance students’ ability to ‌express themselves confidently. Assigning opinion-based essays ‌or⁢ asking students to write persuasive letters to support⁣ causes they care about also strengthens their communication skills. ⁢By integrating these engaging‌ activities and prompts ⁤into the‍ curriculum, educators not only nurture strong communication ​skills,‍ but also ‍empower students to become effective ⁢communicators​ who ‍can express their ideas with ⁣clarity, coherence,⁣ and conviction.

Developing ⁣analytical thinking skills is ‌essential ‌in nurturing young minds.⁢ To ⁢bolster this skill set ‍in 5th ⁢graders, it’s‌ crucial to encourage⁢ them ‍to express their opinions in writing.‌ Opinion writing ⁤not only fosters critical thinking, but also enhances creative⁢ thought processes.⁤ Here ‍are some‍ engaging prompts that will get your⁤ 5th graders thinking critically and ‍expressing⁤ their thoughts in a structured manner:

• Should homework be abolished? ‌ Encourage‌ students⁣ to weigh the ⁣pros and cons of⁣ completing assignments ⁢outside⁣ of‍ the ‍classroom.‌ Urge them ⁣to⁤ provide evidence to support their stance and ‌consider the impact homework has on their​ learning experience.
• Is it better to⁢ be the oldest or youngest sibling? This⁤ topic sparks lively ⁣discussions⁢ as ⁢students debate the advantages and‌ disadvantages of⁤ each position within the family hierarchy. Prompt them to⁤ consider personal experiences or examples from literature​ or other media.
• Are school uniforms ​necessary? Explore this classic topic ⁢by encouraging students to critically evaluate the ‍impact of uniforms ⁣on individuality, self-expression, and overall‍ school ​atmosphere.

By engaging 5th graders⁤ in opinion writing ⁣using⁣ these‍ stimulating ⁣prompts, educators can promote analytical⁣ thinking and help⁤ students improve their ability ‌to ⁤articulate their thoughts effectively.​ Encourage them to support their⁤ opinions⁢ with substantial reasoning⁤ and‌ evidence. Remember, exploring diverse perspectives is key ⁢to ⁣honing their ‍analytical skills,​ so encourage ⁤lively debates​ and ‌discussions among your students. Together, let’s nurture⁣ their critical thinking ‌abilities ⁣and foster‌ a love for expressing their thoughts in ⁢writing!

Q: What are opinion writing prompts ⁢for 5th grade? A: ⁢Opinion writing prompts for 5th⁣ grade are thought-provoking questions or statements that encourage young students to express their ‍personal viewpoints on​ various topics.

Q: ⁤Why ⁤are ‍ opinion ‍writing prompts important ‌ for 5th graders? A: Opinion writing prompts play a crucial role in 5th ⁢grade ⁢education ‍as they help‍ develop critical thinking, creative expression, and persuasive ‌writing​ skills. These prompts empower students to form ⁣their own opinions, support them ⁤with⁢ evidence, and communicate their thoughts​ effectively.

Q: How do opinion ‍writing prompts ‌benefit⁣ 5th graders? A: Opinion writing prompts offer a range of benefits to 5th graders, such as improving their articulation​ skills, fostering⁤ their ability to analyze multiple ⁣perspectives, enhancing their ⁣vocabulary and grammar, ​and​ strengthening their overall writing ⁣abilities.‍ These⁢ prompts also encourage students to become⁣ more self-aware and confident in ⁣expressing their ‍unique thoughts.

Q:‍ What types of topics can be covered by opinion‍ writing ‌prompts for 5th graders? A:‍ Opinion writing prompts ⁣for 5th graders​ can cover a ​wide array of ⁣topics, ‍including social issues, personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, ​literature, current events, and more. This diversity allows students to engage with various areas of interest and expands their understanding of the​ world around‍ them.

Q:⁣ How can teachers use opinion ⁤writing‌ prompts effectively‌ in ​the classroom? A: ‌Teachers can ⁤effectively incorporate ‌opinion writing⁣ prompts into their classroom ‌by ​providing clear ⁤instructions and examples, encouraging active ⁢class‌ discussions, providing ample time for ‌brainstorming, and offering guidance through the ‌writing process.​ Additionally, teachers can use prompts⁣ as ⁢an opportunity​ to instill open-mindedness, respect⁤ for differing⁣ opinions, and ‍critical evaluation of arguments.

Q: Can opinion writing prompts enhance students’ critical thinking skills? A: Yes,⁤ opinion writing prompts‍ are an excellent tool‌ for improving critical thinking skills in 5th graders. By presenting ‌prompts ‍that require ‌students to evaluate ​different perspectives, students learn to analyze and integrate⁣ information, consider alternatives,‍ and develop well-reasoned ‍arguments to ​support their ⁤opinions.

Q: Is​ there a recommended format for writing⁣ an opinion essay using these⁣ prompts? A: While there is no strict format‌ for‌ opinion ⁤essays, it is generally suggested to structure⁣ them ​with ⁣an introduction stating the writer’s opinion, body paragraphs ‌explaining⁤ and supporting ⁣their ​viewpoint‍ with evidence, and a‍ conclusion restating the main opinion and summarizing the‌ main arguments.

Q: Are ⁢there⁢ any additional ‍resources available‌ to help 5th graders with ⁤their opinion writing skills? A: ‌Yes,⁣ there are ‌numerous resources available online, including writing ⁢guides,‍ worksheets, and interactive platforms specifically⁣ designed to assist 5th graders‍ in⁢ honing their opinion⁤ writing skills.‌ Teachers, parents, and schools can also provide valuable‌ support by offering feedback and encouragement throughout the writing process.‌

In‍ conclusion, opinion writing prompts ‌for‍ 5th graders offer a valuable opportunity to develop⁤ critical thinking skills and express personal perspectives. By engaging⁤ in‌ this type of writing, students ‍can enhance their communication abilities while learning to value and‍ respect diverse ‍opinions. ⁣

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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!

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Opinion Writing Unit FIFTH GRADE

Grade Level: 5th Grade

My fifth 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 fifth 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

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 30-45 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 Fifth Grade Writing Units:

Personal Narrative for Fifth Grade

Informational Writing for Fifth Grade

Fiction Narrative for Fifth 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 5. I also have opinion writing units available for grades two , three , and four .

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.

You May Also Enjoy These Resources

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• Kindergarten
• Learning numbers
• Comparing numbers
• Place Value
• Roman numerals
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Order of operations
• Drills & practice
• Measurement
• Factoring & prime factors
• Proportions
• Shape & geometry
• Data & graphing
• Word problems
• Children's stories
• Leveled Stories
• Context clues
• Cause & effect
• Compare & contrast
• Fact vs. fiction
• Fact vs. opinion
• Main idea & details
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Opinion essay writing

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Plan then write

In these worksheets, students plan and then write an opinion essay. The planning framework includes an essay topic sentence, reasons, supporting details, counterarguments and conclusions.

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EL Education Curriculum

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• ELA G5:M3:U2:L10

Writing an Opinion Essay: Planning

In this lesson, daily learning targets, ongoing assessment.

• Technology and Multimedia

Supporting English Language Learners

Universal design for learning, closing & assessments, you are here:.

• ELA Grade 5
• ELA G5:M3:U2

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These are the CCS Standards addressed in this lesson:

• W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
• W.5.1a: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.
• W.5.1b: Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
• W.5.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
• W.5.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
• W.5.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
• W.5.9b: Apply grade 5 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., "Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point[s]"").
• SL.5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• I can plan an essay that states an opinion and has reasons that are supported by facts and details. ( W.5.1, W.5.4, W.5.9b )
• I can give kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my partner. ( W.5.5, SL.5.1 )
• Opinion Writing Planning graphic organizer ( W.5.1, W.5.4, W.5.5, W.5.9b )
• Strategically pair students for the peer critique in the Closing with at least one strong reader per pair.
• Review the Opinion Writing Checklist ( see the Tools page ).
• Post: Learning targets and applicable anchor charts (see Materials list).

Tech and Multimedia

• Continue to use the technology tools recommended throughout Modules 1-2 to create anchor charts to share with families; to record students as they participate in discussions and protocols to review with students later and to share with families; and for students to listen to and annotate text, record ideas on note-catchers, and word-process writing.

Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 5.I.A.1, 5.I.A.3, 5.I.A.4, 5.I.A.5, 5.I.C.10, 5.I.C.11, 5.I.C.12, 5.II.A.1, 5.II.A.2, 5.II.C.6 , and 5.II.C.7

Important points in the lesson itself

• The basic design of this lesson supports ELLs by referring to the Factors for Success anchor chart from Unit 1 to plan their essays, inviting students to draw on conclusions from the text-based discussion to form their focus statements, allowing time for discussion throughout the lesson, and explicitly reviewing the characteristics of opinion writing as a class.
• ELLs may find it challenging to go from annotating the Model Essay: Branch Rickey in Work Time A to planning their own opinion essays with the graphic organizer in Work Time B without having seen this process modeled. Consider filling in the graphic organizer with components of the model essay in Work Time A, providing students with concrete examples to refer to during their planning (see Meeting Students' Needs).

Levels of support

For lighter support:

• Encourage students to use the focus structure from the Language Dive in Lesson 9, but it was _____, to write their focus statement, supporting students in using linking words and phrases to connect ideas. Challenge students to think of more than one way they could use this linking language to write their focus statement.

For heavier support:

• Consider color-coding the text in the displayed Opinion Writing Planning graphic organizer to match the corresponding information in the Painted Essay(r) template, signaling the information that goes in each section. For example, in the introduction paragraph box, the text "What context do you need to give to your reader?" would be color-coded red; "State your opinion:" would be green; all text in "Proof Paragraph 1" would be yellow; etc.
• Multiple Means of Representation (MMR): Students provide kind, helpful, and specific feedback during a peer critique of their opinion writing planning. As this familiar learning target is displayed, consider inviting students to share examples of this type of feedback from previous lessons and note their responses for visual display.
• Multiple Means of Action and Expression (MMAE): Continue to support a range of fine motor abilities and writing needs by offering students options for writing utensils. Also, consider supporting students' expressive skills by offering partial dictation of student responses.
• Multiple Means of Engagement (MME): Since peer review can be threatening to some students, continue to emphasize the benefits of peer review and feedback for all students. Make this activity relevant by reminding students that writers have editors who provide feedback for their writing through each step in the writing process, which improves their writing.

Key:  Lesson-Specific Vocabulary  (L);  Text-Specific Vocabulary  (T);  Vocabulary Used in Writing  (W)

• states, support, specific, reason, evidence, use my strengths (L)
• Close Readers Do These Things anchor chart (begun in Module 1)
• Academic Word Wall (begun in Module 1)
• Vocabulary logs (from Module 1; one per student)
• Opinion Writing Planning graphic organizer (one per student and one to display)
• Model Essay: Branch Rickey (from Lesson 9; one per student and one to display)
• Working to Become Effective Learners anchor chart (begun in Module 1)
• Directions for Opinion Essay (from Lesson 9; one per student and one to display)
• Opinion Writing Checklist (from Lesson 9; one per student and one to display)
• Colored pencils (green, yellow, blue; one of each color per student)
• Preparing for a Text-Based Discussion: Jackie Robinson note-catcher (from Lesson 7; one per student)
• Discussion Notes Form: Jackie Robinson (from Lesson 8; one per student)
• Promises to Keep (from Unit 1, Lesson 1; one per student)
• "This I Believe: Free Minds and Hearts at Work" (text; from Lesson 2; one per student)
• Listening Closely: "Jackie Robinson: Royals to Obamas" note-catcher (from Lesson 4; one per student)
• Factor for Success anchor charts (begun in Unit 1)
• Domain-Specific Word Wall (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 1)
• Opinion Writing Planning graphic organizer (example, for teacher reference)
• Sticky notes (two per student)
• Working to Contribute to a Better World anchor chart (begun in Module 1)
• Directions for Peer Critique (from Module 1; one to display)
• Peer Critique Protocol anchor chart (begun in Module 1)
• Language Dive I Practice: Model Essay: Branch Rickey homework (from Lesson 9; one per student)
• Language Dive I Practice: Model Essay: Branch Rickey homework (example, for teacher reference)

Each unit in the 3-5 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize their understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.

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5th grade nonfiction writing samples

by: Jessica Kelmon | Updated: July 23, 2016

Print article

When it comes to writing, fifth grade is a red-letter year. To prepare for the demands of middle school and high school writing, fifth graders should be mastering skills required for strong nonfiction writing . Learn more about your fifth grader’s writing under Common Core . All students should be learning three styles of writing:

Informative/explanatory writing

Reports that convey information accurately with facts, details, and supporting information.

Narrative writing

Stories, poems, plays, and other types of fiction that convey a plot, character development, and/or personal stories.

Opinion writing

Writing in which students try to convince readers to accept their opinion about something using reasons and examples.

Fifth grade writing sample #1

Bipolar Children

This student’s report starts with a decorative cover and a table of contents. The report has eight sections, each clearly labeled with a bold subhead, and includes a bibliography. At the end, this student adds three visuals, two images from the internet with handwritten captions and a related, hand-drawn cartoon.

Type of writing: Informative/explanatory writing

Fifth grade writing sample #2

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Dylan’s report is thorough and well organized. There’s a cover page, an opening statement, and four clear sections with subheads, including a conclusion. You’ll see from the teacher’s note at the end that the assignment is for an opinion piece, but Dylan clearly writes a strong informational/explanatory piece, which is why it’s included here.

Fifth grade writing sample #3

The Harmful Ways of By-Catch and Overfishing

This student includes facts and examples to inform the reader about by-catch and overfishing. Then, at the end, the student tries to convince the reader to take a personal interest in these topics and gives example of how the reader can take action, too.

Type of writing: Opinion writing

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

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When I look back to my first experience teaching five paragraph essays to fifth graders, I can remember how terribly unprepared I felt.

I knew that the five paragraph essay format was what my students needed to help them pass our state’s writing assessment but I had no idea where to start.

I researched the few grade-appropriate essays I could find online (these were the days before Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers) and determined that there was a structure to follow.

Every essay followed the same basic structure. I taught the structure to my students and they did well.

I have been teaching five paragraph essay structure and everything that goes with it for several years now. I hope that after you read this blog post, you will have a good understanding of how to teach and grade five paragraph essays.

Once you’ve learned all about teaching basic essay structure, you’ll be ready to grow your writers from “blah” to brilliant! 

Teaching five paragraph essays is just one part of teaching 5th grade writing. Click here to find out exactly how I teach writing to my 5th graders! 

Start with Simple Paragraphs

We always start with simple paragraphs.

Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me!

We spend a while cementing paragraph structure:

Topic Sentence

Closing Sentence

I give students topics, they come up with their own topics, we write together, they write with a partner or independently, the more variety, the better.

We have fun with simple paragraphs. Then, it’s time to move on to body paragraphs.

Organize and Write Body Paragraphs

Please refer to my five paragraph essay organizer below.

The three body paragraphs are absolutely crucial to the success of the five paragraph essay.

Some teachers have trouble teaching the structure of five paragraph essays because they start with the introduction paragraph.

Always teach the body paragraphs first!

I had a teacher say to me once, “What’s the point of just writing parts of the essay? They need to write the entire five paragraphs to get all of the practice they need.”

I understand that point. However, think of it as building a house. Should you test out the foundation and make sure it’s sound and sturdy before building on top of it? Absolutely! That’s what we’re doing here.

The three body paragraphs are the foundation of the essay.

Ask students to write out their three body paragraphs just like they have practiced…Topic sentence…Detail 1…Detail 2…Detail 3…Closing Sentence.

I “ooooh and aaaah” over their three paragraphs. Students are on their way to five paragraph essays, so be sure to build their confidence.

Teach the Introduction Paragraph

I have to say, this is my favorite paragraph to teach. The introduction paragraph is what draws readers into the essay and makes them want to read more.

We start with what I call a “hook.” The hook captures the readers’ attention and can come in many forms: asking a question, making a bold statement, sharing a memory, etc.

After the hook, I ask students to add a sentence or two of applicable commentary about the hook or about the prompt in general.

Finally, we add the thesis sentence. The thesis sentence always follows the same formula: Restate the prompt, topic 1, topic 2, and topic 3.

That’s all you need to write an excellent introduction paragraph!

I do suggest having students write the introduction paragraph plus body paragraphs a couple of times before teaching the closing paragraph.

Teach the Closing Paragraph

In the conclusion paragraph, we mainly focus on restating the thesis and including an engaging closing thought.

With my students, I use the analogy of a gift.

The introduction paragraph and body paragraphs are the gift and the conclusion paragraph is the ribbon that ties everything together and finishes the package.

When you talk about restating the thesis sentence, tell students that they need to make it sound different enough from their original thesis sentence to save their readers from boredom.

Who wants to read the same thing twice? No one!

Students can change up the format and wording a bit to make it fresh.

I enjoy teaching the closing thought because it’s so open to however students want to create it.

Ways to write the closing thought: ask a question, personal statement, call to action, or even a quote. 

I especially like reading the essays in which a quote is used as a closing thought or a powerful statement is used.

Example of a full five paragraph essay

Let’s Talk About Color-Coding!

Who doesn’t like to color? This is coloring with a purpose!

Training your students to color-code their paragraphs and essays will make grading so much easier and will provide reminders and reinforcements for students.

When students color-code their writing, they must think about the parts of their paragraphs, like topic sentences, details, and the closing sentence.

They will be able to see if they are missing something or if they’ve written something out of order.

Color-coding is a wonderful help for the teacher because you can skim to ensure that all parts of your students’ paragraphs and essays are present.

Also, when you are grading, you can quickly scan the paragraphs and essays. Trust me, you will develop a quick essay-grading ability.

I start color-coding with my students at the very beginning when they are working on simple paragraphs. I add the additional elements of the color-code as we progress through our five paragraph essays.

This is the code that I use:

Let’s Talk About Grading Five Paragraph Essays!

Imagine a lonely, stressed teacher grading five paragraph essays on the couch while her husband is working the night shift.

That was me!

Seriously, guys, I would spend about ten minutes per essay. I marked every little error, I made notes for improvement and notes of encouragement. I reworked their incorrect structure.

Those papers were full of marks.

On Monday, I proudly brought back the essays and asked students to look over them and learn what they needed to fix for next time.

You can guess what happened… there were lots of graded essays in the trashcan at the end of the day.

I decided that my grading practices had to change. I needed my weekends back and my students needed to find their own errors!

This is my best advice:

STOP correcting every error!

Your students are not benefiting from marks all over their writing. They need to find those errors themselves so that they will remember their mistakes and change their writing habits.

Do a quick scan of each student’s writing as soon as it’s turned in to you.

If there are major problems with a student’s writing, call him/her over individually and show him/her what needs to be fixed or put the student with a competent peer editor who will help them fix mistakes.

If you have several students who are struggling with a skill, like closing sentences, do a mini-lesson on this topic.

You can do a mini-lesson with a small group. However, I prefer doing mini-lessons with the entire class. The kids who need help will get it and the rest of your class will receive a refresher.

It’s OK if there are some small spelling/grammar mistakes!

If the errors are few and they don’t take away from the meaning/flow of the essay, I don’t worry about them.

Our students are still learning.

Even your brightest star writer will have a few spelling/grammar mistakes from time to time.

Don’t discourage students from writing because of small errors.

Students who receive papers back with markings all over them don’t think, “Oh boy, my teacher has made it so easy for me to make all of these corrections.” They are thinking, “What’s the point in writing? I must be a terrible writer. Look at all of these mistakes.”

If your students are taking a standardized writing assessment, the structure and flow of their essays will be worth much more than perfect spelling.

Need more help?

I created this five paragraph essay instructional unit for teachers who are new to teaching five paragraph essays OR just need all of the materials in one place.

“Teacher Talk” pages will guide you through the unit and this unit contains all materials needed to help students plan, organize, and write amazing five paragraph essays! Click here to check it out:

I have a freebie for you! Enter your first name and email address below. You’ll receive three original prompts with five paragraph essay organizers AND two lined final draft pages!

Once your students are good essay writers…

These task cards will help your students stay sharp on their five paragraph essay knowledge. Students will review hooks (attention-getters), thesis sentences, body paragraphs, topic sentences, closings, and more. Each card contains a unique writing example!

I suggest using these task cards as a quiz/test, scoot game, individual review, or cooperative group activity.

Click on the image to view these task cards:

To save this post for later, simply pin this image to your teacher Pinterest board!

21 comments.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always stressed over the thought of teaching writing, but your blog makes me think I can do it successfully. Putting your writing packet on my TPT wish list!

Thank you, Shannon! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I am so glad that my blog post was helpful to you!

Thanks for the tips! When I taught 6th grade I taught this same subject matter, but struggled to get started. I wish I had this then!

I appreciate your comment! Teaching was much different before Pinterest, wasn’t it?!?

This helped me so much!🙂 thanks a lot, I imagined being one student of yours. I’d be so smart and good at essays! Would’ve been so much easier in person❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much, Aizlyn!

Thank you so much for this! May I ask where I can see the rubric for scoring the compositions?

You are so welcome! Click on the resource link. Then, you will see the rubric in the preview!

Thank you so much,I am a parent and this really helped me be clear how to guide my son. God bless you always.,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

you are welcome!!!

This looks great! Looking forward to using your tips and freebies with my 6th graders. 🙂 THANK YOU.

You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

Can’t wait to use this with my class tomorrow! Thanks a bunch for sharing!!

You are so welcome, Amy!

Thank you for making it easy to teach an essay with clarity.

You are very welcome, Yamuna! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂

I am so happy I discovered your blog. I just started teaching grade 5 in September I have been searching for a simple method to hel me in guiding them in writing. I will be putting your method into practice in the coming week.

That’s wonderful, Cherry! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Welcome to fifth grade 🙂

Beautiful lesson well explained! Thank you so very much .

Thank you so much, Cheryl!

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