Have you been wondering how to teach opinion writing to 2nd graders? It’s frustrating when your school doesn’t provide a writing curriculum (or worse, it’s an awful one). Have you found yourself googling ‘how do you teach second graders opinion writing?!’ If so, don’t worry! I’m here to help! I’m going to share all about my 2nd grade opinion writing unit.

What’s included in this 2nd grade personal narratives writing unit?

First up, you’re provided with everything you need to organize your lesson planning. There’s a list of common core standards that align with the unit, suggestions for differentiation, and suggested lesson times. Also, there’s a unit scope, at-a-glance calendar, list of materials, and a video overview to help you implement the unit!

Opinion writing 2nd grade Lesson plans

Next, there are 25 step-by-step lesson plans. These one page scripted plans are easy to grab and teach! The lessons in this unit follow a simple format of mini lesson, think and share, and independent writing time. There’s a short script and differentiation is included for the writing tasks.

This is NOT one of those big box curriculums where you have to sift through 10 pages of background teacher information for each lesson or read from the most BORING script. I hear so many teachers say that those curriculums are “Not teacher friendly, wordy and annoying to follow. SO many pages to read for just one lesson!“

Opinion writing posters

Next up, this unit includes 20 posters. Posters are a great way to share definitions, give examples, and explain concepts. They are used during the mini lesson but can also be displayed while students are writing (as reminders). Whether you’re teaching opinion writing introductions or conclusions, there’s a poster to cover it!

The posters also help with brainstorming. For example, the posters will give opinion writing topic ideas.

There are so many topics covered. For example, you’ll find a sentence starters poster and editing checklist.

When teaching any writing genre, I highly recommend using posters!

Mentor texts

This 2nd grade opinion writing unit includes six original mentor texts because why should you have to spend time sourcing your own?

Every mentor text has examples of the concepts and features of opinion writing that are taught in this unit (for example, all the mentor texts have reasons and examples).

Fun fact – this unit is ALL about making your life easier. That means that you’ve always got options. The mentor texts come in color and black and white PDF, as well as PowerPoints. You can print or display digitally, it’s up to you!

Mentor texts are so important when teaching writing. You need to provide 2nd grade opinion writing examples and mentor texts are the way to do this!

Click here to grab the unit from this website you’re on right now. Use the code TERRIFIC10 at checkout to save 10%!

Opinion writing prompts, graphic organizers, and worksheets

How do you engage students in opinion writing? I hear many teachers say that the big box curriculum that they are provided with is so boring for students. That’s why I made sure that this unit has ENGAGING student activities!

In this unit, students are NOT told to just ‘go off and write’ as if that will magically make them good writers! In this unit, each concept is explicitly taught and students learn all about the structure and features of opinion writing. They use the printables to work on what they have learned.

The unit slowly increases in difficulty. At the beginning, students are coloring in, sharing one word answers, tracing, and writing a single sentence or sharing one reason. By the end of the unit, they are sharing three reasons, using linking words, and writing paragraphs!

What is a fun opinion writing prompt for 2nd grade? This unit has lots of fun opinion writing prompts, such as ‘my favorite food’ and ‘my favorite animal’.

What kid doesn’t love OREOs? This OREO opinion writing graphic organizer is sure to be a hit with your kiddos! Pro tip – your lesson will be a massive success if you bring in a pack of OREO cookies!

How do you write an opinion piece in 2nd grade? It can feel a bit overwhelming! That’s why this unit will be a life saver. Things like introductions and conclusions are covered.

Cut and paste activities

Writing lessons don’t always have to be just pen and paper. This unit incorporates cut and paste activities to keep students engaged! The hands-on element allows students to really grasp the concepts.

It doesn’t matter what writing genre you’re teaching, I think that cut and paste activities are a great way to engage students!

Ever wondered how to teach paragraphs to second graders? In this unit, students are given a jumbled piece of opinion writing and are asked to put the sentence strips into order and sort them into paragraphs.

How do you teach fact vs opinion in second grade? In this unit, there’s a lesson where students sort sentences into fact and opinion columns.

Interactive notebooks

How do you make opinion writing fun? Writing lessons should be enjoyable for your students, so that’s why I recommend interactive notebooks.

Students love hands-on activities and this unit includes two opinion writing interactive notebooks!

EDITING CHECKLISTS

How do you teach students to edit and revise their writing? At the end of this unit, students use opinion writing editing checklists to proofread their work for things like spelling and punctuation, but also opinion writing features (reasons, examples, conclusion etc).

Writing folder

This unit comes with a workbook cover (in boy and girl versions)! You can choose between the wording ‘folder, journal, or notebook’.

Interested in the unit? Click here to grab it from TPT!

Opinion writing craft

One of the reasons that students often find writing lessons boring is that they are just told to write on a lined piece of paper and that’s the task. I think that adding a crafty element can really get students excited about writing!

In this opinion writing unit, students create heart pockets to store their writing. You can print on white paper (students can then color and draw) or on colored paper.

Publishing party

It’s so important for students to celebrate their work. That’s why this unit ends with a publishing party! Certificates and compliment notes are handed out as students share their final writing piece.

early finishers

Ever wondered what to do with early finishers in writing? If you’re tired of hearing, “I’m done, now what?” or worried that your high flyers aren’t being challenged, don’t worry! This unit features 24 task cards (in color and black and white) where students can write in response to an opinion writing prompt.

Writing assessment rubric

How do you assess opinion writing? It’s important to assess your students’ writing and that’s why an opinion writing assessment rubric is included in this unit.

But there’s nothing worse than grading on a rubric that you can’t make sense of. So, I made sure to include examples and elaborations to help you understand the rubric. There’s even a video!

What lessons are taught in the unit?

• What is opinion writing?
• Facts vs. opinions
• Sharing opinions
• Answering opinion questions
• Writing an opinion sentence
• Opinions vs. reasons
• Sharing one reason
• A detailed reason
• My favorite animal
• Reasons need examples
• Sharing two reasons
• Linking words
• Paragraphs
• When I grow up
• Introduce the topic
• Share three reasons
• Lesson 17 – The conclusion
• My dream vacation
• The brainstorm
• Creating a plan
• The first draft
• Time to revise
• Time to edit
• The final draft
• Publishing party

Are you short on time?

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

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

This unit comes from Terrific Writing. It’s a curriculum that is standards based (to the common core) and genre based.

Are you struggling to teach writing? Do your students hate writing lessons?

Does your school not provide you with a writing curriculum? Or worse, is it awful? 

What if there was a way for your writing lessons to be engaging for students and enjoyable for you to teach?

Check out unit 2 of Terrific Writing today! Click here to grab it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Wanna save 10%?

Click here to grab the unit from this website you’re on right now. Use the code TERRIFIC10 at checkout!

P.S. – Interested in free crafts and worksheets? Access my free resource library here!