CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1
The Standard
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students write what they think about a familiar topic or book. They explain their thinking with one clear reason and finish with a closing sentence.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A strong response names the book or topic, gives a clear preference, and supports it with a matching reason. It ends with a closing thought such as “That is why I choose this book.”
Common Misconceptions
- Students may retell a book instead of giving their own view. They may use “because” without a reason, give an unrelated reason, or stop abruptly.
How to Assess It
- Post the titles of two recent read-alouds. Ask: “Which book should we reread? Write your choice, one reason, and a final sentence.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs picture cards of classroom choices; students sort them by preference, then build an opinion sentence with word cards.
After a read-aloud, ask, “Was the character’s choice a good one?” Students discuss with a partner, then write one supported opinion.
Play Because Match: students pair opinion cards with reason cards, reject weak matches, and read the strongest pair aloud.
Have students write a note to the principal recommending one playground improvement and explaining why it would help.
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Printable W.1.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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