Independent
Online Games (Websites & Apps):
Videos:
- Fact and Opinion
- Listen to a poem where the writer expresses her opinion
Games & Activities:
1. Study How a Mentor Author Portrays a Character
- Reread a text you know well
- Pay close attention to details you think are significant and important
- Notice the traits, motivations, struggles, and changes of your character; then use prompts to write about the ideas you have
- The thought I have about this is…
- To add on…
- This shows…
2. Craft Theses Quickly
- Think of a story/fairy tale you know well
- Think about, “What might the story really be about?” or “What life lessons does the character learn?”
- Use a template to produce a thesis:
Some people think (story you’ve chosen) is a story about (tell the story briefly), but I think it is also a story about (life lesson the character learns).
3. Mentor Texts: Study mentor texts written by other 4th gradersStudy mentor texts written by other 4th graders
4. Notebook Entries: What’s your opinion? Write entries in your notebook in response to some of these questions:
- Should we have more recess time?
- Should we get paid for school?
- Should we have a shorter school day?
- Should I have a Facebook page?
- Should I have a cell phone?
- Should people eat healthier?
- Should our school have its own football field?
- Should people stop abusing animals?
- Should our school have more recess equipment for older kids?
- Should gas stations stop selling energy drinks to kids?
- Should hunters be allowed in national parks?
- Should kids be allowed to play Dodgeball at school?
- Should kids have jobs?
- Should every student at PS 11 have an iPad?
- Should girls be allowed to play baseball professionally?
- Should elementary schools have sports teams?
- Should we have school uniforms?
- Should people stop hunting animals for skin, fur and meat?
- Should people recycle more?
- Should we do more experiments/activities in school?
5. Research
Collect information about topic. Create a list of everything you’ve discovered.
Worksheets:
Use graphic organizers to help you organize your opinions on things (OREO)
Family
Games & Activities:
- Grow Ideas – Elaboration with Prompts
As you have conversations practice growing ideas by using the following elaboration prompts:
- I’m learning that…
- For example..
- I used to think …., but now I think…
- What surprises me about this is …
- Many people think…, but i think…
- This is important because…
2. Oral Stories
Practice telling the same original mini-story several times at home. When you’re done write a quick draft of it.
Videos:
- Brainpop: Fact and Opinion Video
- Brainpop: Five Paragraph EssayFive Paragraph EssayFive Paragraph Essay