Grade by Grade
D. Composition · Writing Our Ideas

Writing to Teach and to Convince: How-To and Opinion

D2.1 D1.4 D2.3About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can write a how-to text with steps in order.
  • I can write an opinion and give reasons.
  • I can choose words that show what I think and feel.

Words to know

how-to (procedure)
Writing that teaches how to do or make something, step by step.
materials
The things you need to do or make something.
opinion
What you think or feel about something. Others might think differently.
reason
Why you think something. Reasons often start with because.
persuade
To try to get someone to agree with you or do something.

Two new kinds of writing

  1. A how-to text teaches someone how to do or make something.
  2. An opinion text tells what you think and tries to persuade (convince) the reader to agree.

Model how-to: How to Make a Bird Feeder

You need: a pine cone, sunflower seed butter or another sticky spread, birdseed, a string.

  1. First, tie the string to the top of the pine cone.
  2. Next, spread sunflower seed butter all over the pine cone.
  3. Then, roll the pine cone in birdseed.
  4. Last, hang it on a tree branch outside.

Now watch the birds come to eat!

1 Tiethe string2 Spread onseed butter3 Roll inbirdseed4 Hang iton a branch
The bird feeder how-to as pictures. Each step starts with a bossy word: tie, spread, roll, hang.
Part of a how-toIn the model
Title that says what you will makeHow to Make a Bird Feeder
Materials (what you need)pine cone, spread, birdseed, string
Steps in order, with numbers or order words1 First… 2 Next… 3 Then… 4 Last…
Bossy (action) words at the start of stepstie, spread, roll, hang
EndingNow watch the birds come to eat!
What makes a good how-to
Worked example

Let's write a how-to together

Write how to put on winter clothes to go outside.

  1. Title: How to Get Ready for Snow.
  2. Materials: snow pants, boots, coat, toque, mittens.
  3. Steps in order, each starting with an action word: 1. Put on your snow pants. 2. Pull on your boots. 3. Zip up your coat. 4. Put on your toque and mittens.
  4. Ending: Now you are ready to play in the snow!
  5. Check: Could someone follow it? Is the order right? (Snow pants before boots, mittens last so your fingers can zip.)

A clear how-to with a title, materials, 4 steps in order and an ending.

Opinion writing

An opinion is what you think. People can have different opinions, and that's okay!

An opinion text has:

  1. Your opinion: I think winter is the best season.
  2. Reasons (with because): because I can go sledding, because we have snow days.
  3. An ending that says your opinion again: That is why winter is the best!
Opinion: I think winter is the best season.Reason: because I can go sledding.Reason: because we have snow days.Ending: That is why winter is the best!
An opinion text is like a hamburger: your opinion on top, reasons in the middle and an ending that says your opinion again.
Worked example

Let's write an opinion together

Write an opinion: Which is the best pet, a dog or a cat?

  1. Choose your opinion: I think dogs are the best pets.
  2. Reason 1: They love to play fetch.
  3. Reason 2: They go on walks with you.
  4. Use strong feeling words: Dogs are so loyal and fun!
  5. Ending: That is why dogs are the best pets!

I think dogs are the best pets. They love to play fetch. They go on walks with you. Dogs are so loyal and fun! That is why dogs are the best pets!

Fact or opinion?

A fact can be checked and is true for everyone: A dog has four legs.

An opinion is what someone thinks: Dogs are the best pets. Someone else might think cats are best!

Opinion words: I think, I believe, best, favourite, should.

Just for fun

Fact or opinion? "Broccoli is green." That's a fact. "Broccoli is the yummiest food in the whole world." That's an opinion, and lots of people would disagree! 🥦

Hands-on activity

Teach a grown-up!

You need: paper, a pencil, and something simple to make (a peanut-free snack, a paper hat, a sandwich, a paper airplane).

  1. Make the thing once with your grown-up and say each step out loud.
  2. Write a how-to: title, what you need, numbered steps, ending.
  3. Give your how-to to a grown-up. They must do exactly what it says (and nothing else!).
  4. Did it work? If a step was missing, add it.

Bonus: Write an opinion about the snack you made: I think this is the best snack because…

Your turn

1

What is the purpose of a how-to text?

2

What are the materials in the bird feeder how-to?

3

What is the second step of the bird feeder?

4

Finish this opinion: I think summer is the best season because…

5

Fact or opinion? Pizza is the yummiest food.

6

Fact or opinion? Snow is made of ice crystals.

More practice: warm-up

1

What word often starts a reason?

2

Name one action word from the bird feeder steps.

3

What is an opinion?

4

Do numbers help in a how-to?

5

Is My favourite colour is blue a fact or an opinion?

More practice: on your own

1

These steps are out of order. Fix them: Eat the toast. Put bread in the toaster. Spread butter on the toast.

2

Give two reasons for this opinion: We should have more recess.

3

What step is missing? How to plant a seed: 1. Fill a cup with soil. 2. ___ 3. Water it.

4

Why should each step in a how-to start with an action word?

5

Write an ending for an opinion about why hockey is fun.

Challenge

1

Write a 3-step how-to for brushing your teeth, with a title and materials.

2

Your friend thinks cats are the best pet. You think dogs are. Can you both be right? Explain.

3

Write a short note to persuade your family to go to the library on Saturday. Use an opinion, two reasons and an ending.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

What does a how-to text do?

2.

Which is an opinion?

3.

What usually comes first in a how-to?

4.

Which word often starts a reason?

5.

Which step should come first when making a sandwich?

6.

Which is the best ending for an opinion about snow days?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 1 writers draft procedural texts (how-to) and simple persuasive texts (opinions with reasons). They sequence steps in an order that fits the text form, and use words that show their thoughts, feelings and opinions.

How to help at home:

  • Cook or build together and ask your child to tell the steps. Write them down together.
  • Ask for your child's opinion often ("Which park is best? Why?") and ask for because reasons.
  • Let them write a persuasive note to you ("Can we have a picnic?"). Respond in writing!

Common difficulties:

  • Skipping obvious steps ("Make the toast. Eat it."). Follow their steps exactly and literally; children love finding the missing step.
  • Opinions with no reasons. Ask "Why do you think that?"
  • Mixing up fact and opinion. Ask "Is that true for everyone, or is that what you think?"

Allergy note: The model bird feeder uses sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter so it is safe to share with nut-free schools.