Writing Archives - Teacher's Brain

3 Fun Ways to Practice Opinion Writing

April 12, 2024 teachersbrain 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!

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!

5 Helpful Tips for Making Writing Activities Fun

March 29, 2024 teachersbrain 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.

How do you make writing fun for kids?

Here are 5 writing ideas to get you started.

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.”
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.
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.
Collaborative Writing: Pair students up for collaborative writing projects. This not only makes writing more enjoyable but also teaches teamwork and cooperation.
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!

3 Engaging Easter Activities for Your Classroom Easter Party

January 26, 2024 teachersbrain Craft Ideas, Teaching Tips, Writing

Easter is rapidly approaching and if you are looking for Easter activities for kids or Easter activities for elementary school, you’re in the right place!

How do you make Easter exciting for kids?

There are so many ways you can make Easter exciting for kids. With bunny or egg-themed Easter activities, Easter worksheets, Easter crafts, and Easter games for kids, the possibilities are endless.

Additionally, you can have a small Easter party for your elementary students! This gives your kiddos something eggcellent and fun to look forward to and adds a much-needed break for fun and celebration during the day.

How do you throw an Easter party for kids?

Simply! Your party doesn’t have to be elaborate to be a blast for your students. Here are some simple but impactful ways to have a fun classroom Easter party.

Include some Egg-citing Games:

Plan classic activities like an Easter egg hunt, bunny hop races, and “Pin the Tail on the Bunny.” These not only entertain but also promote teamwork and physical activity.

Create a Crafty Corner:

Set up a crafting station for decorating Easter eggs and making bunny masks. Let kids get creative, and display their masterpieces for everyone to enjoy.

Try some Tasty Treats:

Organize a cookie decorating station or a “Build Your Own Bunny Sandwich” corner. Make the preparation part of the fun, and consider healthier options like a fruit kabob station.

What activities do you do during Easter?

There are so many things you can do that your students will love and appreciate. If you’re looking for some easy Easter activities for kindergarten, first, second, or even third grade that are fun and educational, here are some spectacular ideas!

Bunny Rabbit Mask and Headband Set

Looking for a simple and easy craft for your party? Try these Bunny Rabbit Mask & Headband crafts. There are two writing papers included too. (intermediate lined and primary)

1 Bunny Mask
1 Bunny Headband
2 Spring Bunny Writing Papers

How to Catch the Easter Bunny Writing Activity

Need a good Easter writing activity? I have you covered with these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts to design their own Easter Bunny trap. Then, they will write a narrative, persuasive, or opinion paper about how they plan to catch the bunny.

Bunny Craft Printables

Need some engaging bunny crafts and writing activities? Try these printables to easily create different bunny crafts! They make great centers and bulletin boards too!

5 Crafts with Photos
4 Spring Writing Papers (Primary and Intermediate Lined
Make a Headband, Bunny Candy Bag, Writing Craftivity, or Letter Art

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Easter in elementary? Let me know in the comments! For more Easter fun, check out my post here.

3 Writing Activities to Get Students Excited About Writing

January 19, 2024 teachersbrain Writing

Writing is an essential part of learning in elementary. It’s a foundational skill that students will use again and again throughout their lives. Needless to say, we have to practice, practice, practice!

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done sometimes. Our younger students can get tired and bored, so it’s up to us to add some fun and excitement to our writing lessons.

If you’re looking for writing activities for elementary students, you’re in the right place. I’ve got three exciting and engaging writing activities that will turn your classroom into a hub of creativity.

But first, you may be wondering…

How do I make writing fun?

These are 3 of my favorite activities that get students fully engaged and excited to write:

Seasons Would You Rather Opinion Writing Activities for Kids

Be every student’s favorite teacher by making writing enjoyable! Would You Rather Prompts are a great way to get your students engaged in writing their opinions about each season. Use these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students show one or two fingers to share their choice. Then have them write why they chose what they did.

Opinion Writing with Cookies Activity

Do you need an engaging lesson to teach opinion writing? Opinion Writing with Cookies is a student favorite! Add some cookies and watch the creative writing flow.

Comic Strip Templates Writing Activities

Want to find a great creative writing assignment for students with comic strip templates? There are over 100 templates with examples and posters to teach children about design elements, sequencing, character design, and how to organize information!

These are great for interactive notebooks, early finishers, inside recess, writing centers, morning work, or just for fun! Use to teach sequencing, onomatopoeia, writing, character elements, speech bubbles, or storytelling!

Your students are guaranteed to love this activity!

I hope you and your students have a blast with these writing activities for kids! If you want more writing fun, you can check out my post here!

What are your favorite ways to make writing fun for your students? Let me know in the comments!