Elementary ELA
Leadership Network
Allegan Area ESA
January 23, 2012
Presented by: Pam Rickli
ELA Consultant
Opinion Writing Units
(MAISA)
Part One
Introductions
• Please introduce yourself to a partner at your table
• With your partner, please share effective advice
you’ve received or given about good writing
• Be ready to share one piece of advice with the group.
Outcomes: Part 1
Become familiar with the Common Core
State Standard and text type of the unit
Interact with a Michigan-created
Opinion/Argument Unit
Anchor the Standard of Focus
Text Types and Purposes
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of
substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey
complex ideas and information clearly and accurately
through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of
content.
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, well-chosen details,
and well-structured event sequences.
Range of Writing
10. Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for research, reflection, and revision) and
shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or
two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and
audiences.
Opinion/Argument Writing
•K-5 Opinion
•6-12 Argument
Reading like a
Detective
&
Writing like an
Investigative
Reporter
It’s all about
Evidence
Persuasive Writing vs. Argument…
• “‘In persuasive essay, you can select the most favorable
evidence, appeal to emotions, and use style to persuade your
readers. Your single purpose is to be convincing’ (Kinneavy
and Warriner, 305)
• Argument, on the other hand, is mainly about logical appeals
and involves claims, evidence, warrants, backing, and
rebuttals.” (Hillocks, xvii)
• From Page 24 of Appendix A of ELA Common Core State Standards
Document
Immersion
Immersion Work:
It is recommended that immersion work take
place during reading, a week or more prior to
beginning the writing unit of focus. It is also
suggested that text selection should include
published reviews as well as student authored
work.
Unit Plan
• Overview of Template
• Please bring your generic Curriculum Unit Plan and
the Unit Plan for your opinion/argument unit.
• Find someone from another table
• Partner 1, explain the Unit Plan template to partner
2 as if he/she has never heard of this document
2 minutes
• Partner 2, explain the Unit Plan template to partner
1 as if he/she has never heard of this document
2 minutes
• What did you come to understand
about this unit format?
• What lingering questions might you
have?
Let’s look at the lessons….
www.aaesa.wikispaces.com
Turn and Talk
• With an elbow partner, turn and talk
about what you noticed regarding the
flow of the lesson segments.
• Be ready to share with the whole
group.
On Chart Paper:
• Write the session number
• For the Teaching and Active
Engagement portions of your lesson:
• words, phrases
• bulleted lists
• sketches
Progression of K-5 Skills for
Opinion Writing
Organize and Integrate
Road Map to the Next Level
Do-able Goals Start End
Goal #1
Goal #2
Goal #3
Criteria for
Success
Accountability
Making it Real
• With a partner, talk about your doable goals
• Write your goals
• Stand up and share your goals with an eye
partner
Happy Writing and Teaching