South Dakota ELA K.W.1
The Standard
Compose opinion pieces that tell the reader their opinion on a topic and state a reason using a combination of drawing, dictating and writing.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025) · Text Types and Purposes
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Children make a choice and tell a reader what they prefer. They use a picture and early writing or words dictated to an adult to explain why.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A reader can tell what the child prefers and why. The picture fits the choice, and the child writes or dictates a reason that goes with it.
Common Misconceptions
- Some children name two choices without picking one. Others say only, 'I like it,' as their reason, or draw something that does not match their choice.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: 'Which is better for recess, swings or slides? Draw your choice and write or tell me why.' Record dictated reasons under the drawings.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Let children test two markers on scrap paper, then draw their preferred marker and dictate why they chose it.
Ask, 'Which class read-aloud should we reread, and why?' Have partners share a choice and one reason.
Play a matching game with picture cards of pets and reasons, then have children say, 'I choose ___ because ___.'
Let children choose between two spots for a class plant, then draw their choice and dictate a reason about sunlight.
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Printable K.W.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.W.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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