1st Grade · English Language Arts · Parent guide
Short answer. W.1.1 asks your first grader to write an opinion, name the topic or book, give one reason, and wrap it up. Example: I love dogs because they are loyal.
Quick answer
W.1.1 asks your first grader to put an opinion in writing, with structure. He names the topic or the book he is writing about, states what he thinks, gives a reason for it, and ends with some kind of closing. A complete piece can be as short as: "My favorite book is Dragons Love Tacos. It is funny because the dragons eat spicy salsa. You should read it." That is topic, opinion, reason, and closure, all there.
Why parents see this skill
The word "because" is doing heavy lifting here. Backing up an opinion with a reason is the seed of persuasive writing and, honestly, of clear thinking. Every argumentative essay he writes for the next 12 years grows out of this exact four-part shape.
For reference
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.Official Common Core source
See it, then try it
You do not need a lesson plan. Look for these signs in ordinary play, reading, and conversation, then choose one short activity.
At dinner, someone states an opinion ("summer is better than winter") and everyone else has to agree or disagree with a because. No writing yet, just the habit of reasons. Once the talk flows, hand him a sticky note to write his best opinion-plus-reason and stick it on the fridge.
After tonight's bedtime story, fold a paper in half. He writes the book's name and his opinion on the front, and one reason plus a closing line inside. Keep the finished reviews in a shoebox; a stack of his own reviews is more motivating than any prompt.
Pick a real household decision, like what to have for Saturday breakfast. Your child makes a small poster arguing his pick: name the topic, state the opinion, write one reason, end with "vote for pancakes." Then actually hold the vote. Writing that changes breakfast is writing with a purpose.
Choose what helps today
Start with the domain guide for context, use the learning library when a concept needs explaining, or print a page when your child is ready to practice.
See every W.1 skill in order and how the codes fit together.
Open resourceFilter free pages by literacy, phonics, handwriting, and comprehension skills.
Open resourceLow-pressure pencil-control and early writing practice.
Open resourceSimple reading and vocabulary ideas for home and classroom routines.
Open resourceMy son's opinion writing is one sentence long. Is that failing the standard?
One sentence is a normal starting point in fall of first grade. The standard is a year-end target, and teachers build up to it one part at a time, usually starting with opinion plus because. Ask him "why?" and "how should it end?" out loud, and let the extra sentences come from his own answers.
Do spelling and handwriting count in opinion writing?
Teachers mostly grade this standard on ideas and structure: is there a topic, an opinion, a reason, and an ending. Inventive spelling like becuz is expected in first grade. If you correct every misspelled word, kids start writing shorter to avoid mistakes, so save spelling fixes for one or two words at most.
Keep the sequence
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