My Opinions walks kindergarten students from naming a preference to giving a reason, one sentence frame at a time. They draw and complete "I like to play with" about a toy and "My favorite food is" about a food. Then come "I like ... because" for an animal and "I think ... is the best because" for an outdoor game. It practices Common Core W.K.1. The answer key offers sample sentences like "I think tag is the best because I love to run fast."
W.K.1
“Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is...).”
Parts 1 and 2 state a preference, and Parts 3 and 4 add a reason with because.
Students draw a toy they like to play with and finish the frame "I like to play with".
A drawing of the best food to eat, then the frame "My favorite food is".
Students draw their favorite animal and fill two blanks, one for the animal and one for the reason after because.
The best game to play outside, drawn and then written up with the frame "I think ... is the best because ...".
Hear because first
Say a few frames aloud before Part 3, such as I like rain because I can jump in puddles. Students who hear because in a sentence use it more easily.
Class tally
Have students read their Part 4 sentence aloud. Tally the games on the board and turn the count into a quick class graph.
Two short sittings
Parts 1 and 2 go quickly. Do those on the first day and the because frames on the second, when you can give more support.
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