Jamie Mnayer

In a fun and engaging opinion writing unit, second graders practiced an important standard for their grade—being able to clearly express and support their opinions. They explored topics like which is better—summer or winter, the most important tech invention, or whether inside or outside recess is more fun. The students worked on providing reasons to back up their opinions, learning how to make their arguments stronger and more convincing.

The class went through the complete writing process, from brainstorming ideas to drafting, revising, and finally creating a polished final draft. To ensure they had all the important pieces in their writing, students used a rubric that highlighted key elements like clear reasons and strong details. They also looked at different examples of opinion pieces—some really good, some okay, and some that needed more work. This helped them understand what makes an opinion piece strong. Working in groups, students peer-edited each other’s drafts, offering feedback and suggestions. By the end of the unit, the second graders were proud of their work and more confident in their ability to share their opinions with others!

Jamie Mnayer