Kindergarten · English Language Arts · Parent guide
Short answer. W.K.1 asks kindergarteners to share an opinion using drawing, dictating, and writing, like naming a favorite book and telling why they like it.
Quick answer
W.K.1 asks your child to compose an opinion piece, which at this age means some mix of drawing a picture, telling you what to write down, and writing what she can herself. The finished piece needs two things: what she is talking about (a book, a food, a season) and how she feels about it ('My favorite book is Corduroy'). Spelling can be inventive and most of the message can live in the drawing. The point is stating a preference on paper for someone else to read.
Why parents see this skill
Opinion writing grows into the persuasive and argument writing that runs through every later grade. Just as useful right now, it teaches a kid that her preferences are worth recording and that writing is a way to tell people what you think, not just a handwriting exercise.
For reference
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is...).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.
Before you plan next week's meals, give your child a paper 'ballot.' She draws her favorite dinner, dictates or writes a sentence like 'I pick tacos,' and hands it in. Then actually cook the winner one night. Opinion writing that changes real outcomes teaches the purpose of the genre better than any worksheet.
After a bedtime story, fold a paper in half. On one side she draws her favorite part; on the other, she writes or dictates 'My favorite book is ___' and one word about why. Post it on the fridge where visitors will see it. One book a week builds a whole gallery by spring.
After a trip to the park, the dentist, or grandma's house, hand her an index card. She draws a thumbs up or thumbs down, then adds the place and a word or dictated sentence about why. Keep the cards in a box. Reading old ones together doubles as a lesson that writing saves your thoughts for later.
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.K 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 resourcePractice selected for the skill behind W.K.1.
Open resourcePractice selected for the skill behind W.K.1.
Open resourceAre kindergarteners really expected to write essays for W.K.1?
No. In kindergarten, an opinion piece can be very small. A drawing, a dictated sentence, and a few copied or invented words can count as real writing practice.
What counts as drawing and writing together?
A picture can carry part of the message, especially at this age. If your child draws a cat and says or writes “I like cats,” the drawing and words are working together.
Does the spelling need to be correct?
Perfect spelling is not the goal yet. Invented spelling, like “I lik dg” for “I like dogs,” shows that your child is listening for sounds and connecting them to letters.
How is opinion writing different from narrative writing?
Opinion writing tells what your child thinks, likes, dislikes, or prefers. Narrative writing tells what happened, often with a beginning, middle, and end.
Which Whizki worksheets help with W.K.1?
Start with sentence building worksheets if your child needs help putting words in order. Use letter formation worksheets if handwriting is the part that feels hard. Pair either one with a quick drawing and a simple opinion sentence.
Keep the sequence
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