CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c

ELA4th GradeText Types and Purposes

The Standard

Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students choose connecting words that show how each reason supports an opinion. They use different phrases to add a point, introduce an example, or explain a purpose.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student writes a clear opinion paragraph with reasons in a logical order. Connecting words accurately signal an added reason, an example, or a purpose.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat all connecting words as interchangeable or repeat the same one in every sentence. They may introduce a reason with a phrase meant for an example, making the logic unclear.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Write four sentences explaining whether recess should be longer. State your opinion, give two reasons, and use two different connecting phrases.

Lesson moves

Give pairs sentence strips and transition cards, then have them build an opinion paragraph that clearly connects each reason.
Ask students to explain which connecting phrase best fits before an example and defend their choice in writing.
Play Transition Sort by having teams place phrase cards under headings for adding, giving examples, explaining purpose, or showing cause.
Students write a note to the principal requesting a school change, using three connecting phrases to organize their reasons.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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