CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1
The Standard
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…).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards
What This Standard Means
Kindergarten students need to name a topic or book and tell what they think about it. They can use pictures, labels, copied words, invented spelling, or dictation. The key is that a reader can tell what they are writing about and what their opinion is.
Mastery looks like a page that says or shows, “I like dogs,” or “My favorite book is The Snowy Day,” with a reason if the student is ready. Students often get stuck by retelling the whole book, drawing without naming the topic, or saying only “I like it” with no clear “it.”
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on activity: Give students two book covers, have them choose one, draw it, and finish the sentence, “I like this book because...”
- Discussion prompt: Ask, “Which classroom snack is best, apples or crackers, and how can you tell someone your choice?”
- Quick assessment: Show a student drawing and ask, “What is your topic, and what do you think about it?”
- Real-world connection: Have students make a class recommendation wall with drawings and dictated opinions about favorite recess games, books, or lunch choices.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some inf...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking wo...
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