Teacher’s Brain

Category: Teacher’s Pay Teachers

3 Fun Ways to Practice Opinion Writing

Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Writing


As teachers, we know that opinion writing for kids is an important skill to learn early on in students’ education. It’s a great way to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and empowerment in students- preparing them for the future! 

opinion writing

If you are getting ready to start your opinion writing unit with your elementary students and you’re looking for some opinion writing prompts or opinion writing activities that will fully engage your students in their lessons, you’re in the right place! 

What is a fun way to introduce opinion writing?

There are many ways that you can start your opinion unit. Try out these ideas:

Classroom Survey

Begin by conducting a classroom survey on a light-hearted topic, such as your favorite ice cream flavor or preferred recess game. Students can then analyze the survey results and write about their own opinions, providing reasons to support their choices.

Picture Book Analysis

Choose a picture book with a clear opinion expressed by the characters or narrator. After reading the book together, discuss the opinions presented and encourage students to share their own viewpoints. This can serve as a springboard for students to start forming and writing about their opinions.

Role-Playing Activity

Create a scenario where students take on different roles or characters with differing opinions on a simple topic, such as “Best Season of the Year” or “Preferred School Lunch.” Allow students to express their assigned character’s opinion and reasons through role-playing, then transition to writing about their own opinions independently.

Looking for some ready-made activities that are low-prep and, most importantly, fun?! Look no further than these opinion writing activities! 

Opinion Writing Unit with Cookies

Opinion Writing with Cookies is a student favorite! Add some cookies and watch the creative writing flow. 

Designed with K-2 students in mind.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Table of Contents

Lesson Plan for 5 Days

Brainstorm Page

In My Opinion Page

Thank About Your Cookie

Cookie Opinion Organizer for K-1

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 TEACHER SAMPLE

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 With intro and closing help

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 Blank (Students do all on their own.)

Primary Writing Lined Paper

Intermediate Lined Writing Paper

Cookie Acoustic Poem

Opinion RUBRIC for scoring

Writing Certificates

Transition Words

Descriptive Words for Cookies

POSTER

Parent Home Letter (cookie request)

Opinion Writing Dog vs Cat Writing Activity

Dogs vs Cats is a student favorite and gets their creative writing juices flowing! Students can use the graphic organizers to plan their opinion papers.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Table of Contents

Lesson Plan

Donation Request (dog and cat-themed treats)

Opinion Poster

Cover for a Book (optional)

Transition Words/Phrases

Descriptive Words

Brainstorming

Think About Your Favorite

Primary and Intermediate Opinion Graphic Organizers with a SAMPLE (on pages 12-14)

CAT HEAD Writing Toppers (on pages 15-20)

DOG HEAD Writing Toppers (on pages 21-25)

Primary and Intermediate, Dog and Cat Paws, Writing Paper to match the topper they choose. (on pages 26-39)

Acrostic Poems (Extra Activity) (on pages 40-41)

RUBRIC

Super Author Certificates

Opinion Writing Prompts BEST Candy | Graphic Organizers

Opinion Writing with Candy is a student favorite! Add some candy and watch the creative writing flow. 

Designed with K-3 students in mind.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Standards

Lesson Plan

Brainstorm Page

In My Opinion Page

Think About Your Favorite Candy

Candy Opinion Organizer for K-1

Candy Organizer for 1-3 TEACHER SAMPLE

Candy Organizer for 1-3 With intro and closing help

Candy Organizer for 1-3 Blank (students do all on their own.)

Primary Writing Lined Paper (on pages 12 & 13)

Intermediate Lined Writing Paper (on pages 14 & 15)

Picture Box Writing Options (on pages 16 & 17)

Acoustic Poem

Opinion RUBRIC for Scoring

Writing Certificates

Transition Words

Descriptive Words for Candy

POSTER

Parent Donation Request Letter

I hope your students love these opinion writing activities! For more writing fun, check out my post here!

Three Solar Eclipse 2024 Activities to Ignite Kids’ Curiosity

Teacher's Pay Teachers

The 2024 solar eclipse is a great event that promises wonder and awe for people of all ages. For kids, it’s an incredible opportunity not only to witness the magic of the universe, but also to engage in hands-on activities that deepen their understanding of this rare phenomenon. Here are three solar eclipse activities that will spark curiosity and foster a lifelong love for astronomy.

THREE ACTIVITIES

  1. Create a Pinhole Projector: One of the safest ways to observe a solar eclipse is by creating a pinhole projector. This simple yet effective device allows kids to safely view the eclipse without directly looking at the sun. All you need is a piece of cardboard, aluminum foil, tape, and a pin or needle.

Instructions:

  • First, take the cardboard and cut out a small square or rectangle, about the size of a smartphone screen.
  • Next, cover one side of the cardboard with aluminum foil and secure it tightly with tape.
  • Then, using a pin or needle, poke a small hole in the center of the foil.
  • With the sun at your back, hold the cardboard with the pinhole facing the sun, and position another piece of white paper or cardboard a few feet away from it.
  • Finally, watch as the image of the sun is projected onto the second piece of cardboard, showing the progression of the eclipse as the moon passes in front of the sun.

2. Eclipse Model: Building a model of the Earth, moon, and sun provides a hands-on way for kids to visualize the mechanics of a solar eclipse. This activity not only reinforces concepts of motion, but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can see how the moon moves in front of the sun to block light to Earth. My students LOVED this activity during the last solar eclipse unit!

Materials:

  • Cardstock to print a sun, the Earth, and the moon
  • 2 Brass Brads to Make Moveable Parts
  • Glue
  • Two Long Strips

3. Crafts and Writing Engage kids in reflective writing about their solar eclipse experience with this fun activity! Provide them with a worksheet titled “Solar Eclipse – Explain a solar eclipse.” along with colored pencils or crayons. Encourage them to describe what they observed during the eclipse, including its phases and any thoughts or feelings they had while witnessing this celestial event.

These 2024 “SUN” glasses are fun for a solar celebration. Kids can wear them while writing, work on fine motor skills, or use them just for fun!

BONUS

Use this FREE Download to have students create the moon on a stick to show how the moon blocks the sunlight from the earth. I think this is a great way to show students how an eclipse works.

5 Helpful Tips for Making Writing Activities Fun

education, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Writing

Looking for writing activities for kids that are actually fun? You’re in the right place.

It’s no surprise that writing is an essential skill for any student. It is something they will use for the rest of their lives. Making writing fun for our early elementary students is key to fostering a love for language and expression.

writing activities

How do you make writing fun for kids? 

Here are 5 writing ideas to get you started. 

  1. Creative Prompts: Use imaginative prompts to spark their creativity. For example, “Imagine you’re a superhero. What powers do you have? Write about a day in your superhero life.”
  2. Incorporate Visuals: Use pictures, drawings, or objects to inspire writing. Show a picture and ask them to describe what they see or create a story around it.
  3. Interactive Activities: Turn writing into a game or interactive activity. For instance, play “Story Dice” where students roll dice with pictures on them and incorporate those images into their story.
  4. Collaborative Writing: Pair students up for collaborative writing projects. This not only makes writing more enjoyable but also teaches teamwork and cooperation.
  5. Personal Connection: Encourage students to write about their own experiences, interests, and feelings. Personal writing connects them to their work and makes it more meaningful.

By focusing on these five strategies, we can create a fun and engaging writing environment that inspires our young learners to explore their creativity and express themselves through writing.

If you’re looking for done-for-you writing activities that you can do with your students, check out these ideas! 

Opinion Writing with Cookies

A deliciously fun way to get your students excited about opinion writing! 

Comic Book Writing Templates

A creative way to get students excited about creative writing! 

Writing Poetry Activity

Teach your students to write poems for beginners with this engaging resource! 

If you’re looking for more writing activities for kids, check out my post here! 

5 Engaging Activities to Get Your Students Excited About the Solar Eclipse

Teacher's Pay Teachers

As you know, we are just weeks away from a major historical event- the solar eclipse! 

This is a pretty big event because it is a total eclipse. Whether you are in the path of totality or not, this is a fantastic time to get your students excited about this fantastic solar event. 

solar eclipse activities

If you are looking for ways to get your students excited about the solar eclipse, I have you covered! Check out these solar eclipse activities for kids! 

Storytelling:

Begin with a story about the solar eclipse. You can use simple language and visuals to explain the what a solar eclipse is, why it’s so cool, and what to expect during the eclipse. Encourage your students to ask questions and express their curiosity! 

Try out making DIY Pinhole Projectors:

Guide students in creating their own pinhole projectors to safely view the solar eclipse. This hands-on activity not only teaches about the science behind eclipses but also emphasizes the importance of safety when observing celestial events.

Make some Eclipse Artwork:

Help your students to express their understanding of the solar eclipse through artwork! Using materials like crayons, markers, and colored paper, prompt them to draw what they imagine the eclipse will look like or how it makes them feel. This activity is a great way to foster creativity while reinforcing concepts they learned about the eclipse.

Do an Eclipse Simulation:

Utilize some digital tools or simple props to simulate the solar eclipse in the classroom. You can use a flashlight to represent the Sun, a ball to represent the Moon, and smaller objects as Earth and its orbit. Demonstrate how eclipses occur and the different types of eclipses that can happen!

Eclipse Journaling:

Have students keep a journal leading up to and during the eclipse. Encourage them to record their observations, thoughts, and questions before, during, and after the event. This activity promotes scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection on their learning experience. Plus, it is a great activity for writing practice! 

If you’re looking for some done-for-you eclipse activities, you’ll love this resource! This simple small model resource will get your kiddos excited to learn about this amazing eclipse! 

Need a fun, engaging week unit with activities to teach about the Sun, Moon, and Earth using the Solar Eclipse this year? I have a perfect lesson plan. It covers standards for K-2, models, home connections, collecting data, diagrams, shadows, gravity, links, and more! 

Here’s what you’ll get with this resource! 

  • Cover
  • Table of Contents
  • Home Connection
  • Note to Teachers
  • Lesson Plan
  • Standards K-2, Vocabulary, Links
  • KWL
  • Elephant and Bat Shadow Puppets
  • Bunny and Horse Shadow Puppets
  • Sun and Moon Venn Diagram
  • Earth and Moon Venn Diagram
  • Sun and Moon Demonstration of an Eclipse
  • All About the Moon Writing (Primary)
  • All About the Moon Writing (Intermediate Lines)
  • All About the SUN Writing (Primary)
  • All About the Sun Writing (Intermediate Lines)
  • All About the Earth Writing (Primary)
  • All About the Earth Writing (Intermediate Lines)
  • Gravity Writing (What does gravity have to do with a solar eclipse?)
  • Ask A Friend about a moon visit, Tally Answers
  • Gravity ARTWORK
  • EXAMPLE (model for student) of a Solar Eclipse Craft
  • Solar Eclipse Craft (need to brass brads)
  • Directions for the HAT Solar Eclipse Activity
  • Moon Earth and Sun (black and white/color) Headband printables (pages 25-30)
  • Headbands to glue on the earth, moon, and sun (pages 31-32)
  • POSTERS (Shadow, Diagram, Eclipse, Properties, Light, Gravity, Eye Safety, Sun, Moon, Earth) (pages 33-42)
  • Solar Eclipse JOURNAL (weeklong) (pages 43-59)
  • Rubric (page 50)
  • Opinion Writing, Extra Activities & Credits (pages 51-57)

WHAT else do you need for this unit besides the printables?

  • Cardstock for printing on
  • 3 Brass Brads to make the parts movable on crafts
  • Glue
  • Colored Pencils or Crayons
  • Flashlight

I hope your students love these activities! Want more science fun? Check out my post here!