Fidget Spinner Opinion Writing Prompt- Informational Texts - Graphic Organizer

Should fidget spinners be banned from schools? This comprehensive resource comes with a writing prompt, three different passages, and many extras to help students write an organized, evidence-based opinion essay and prepare for the state test. If your students have to take a standardized writing test that comes with passages, then this product is a must-have!

*Please note that this writing prompt is just part of my YEAR LONG BUNDLE. The yearlong bundle includes 5 opinion writing prompts (including this one), 4 informative writing prompts, and a career research project.

Nowadays, there is a noticeable difference in how students are expected to write their essays on the standardized writing test. Many standardized tests, such as RISE in Utah (formerly SAGE), PARCC in New Jersey, and FSA in Florida, require the students to read/listen to multiple texts and then use information from those passages/articles in their writing.

According to the RISE rubric, students are expected to write essays that are well-organized (this includes writing strong introductions and conclusions), smoothly incorporate & cite text evidence, elaborate on their details (this includes using domain-specific vocabulary), and use proper grammar/spelling. This product provides many resources to help you do just that!

To prepare my students for the state test, I don’t hesitate to get them started. From the very beginning, my students are given writing prompts with passages. We practice annotating the text and then we practice using that information to write a well-organized, 5-paragraph essay. Writing these essays take a long time to write, especially at the beginning of the year. It typically takes me three weeks to get through one writing prompt with the students. This product includes both a prompt and mentor texts that are great for getting the students started.

THE PROMPT

During the spring of 2017, an inexpensive gadget called a fidget spinner quickly emerged and became very popular amongst kids. Fidget spinners are advertised as helpful, yet many schools have banned them. Write an essay where you give your opinion. Should fidget spinners be banned from schools? Your opinion must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passages. Manage your time carefully so you can plan, write, revise, and edit your essay.

THE PASSAGES/ARTICLES

This product comes with three unique passages written by me. All three passages/articles are informational texts about fidget spinners.

Passage #1: The first passage explains what fidget spinners are. It even explains that they are made with a ball bearing in the middle. It also explains that there is a variety of fidget spinners. Not a lot of information from this passage will be used in the students' essays, but I included this passage because I wanted to explain what fidget spinners are for any students that don't know a lot about them. That way they have the schema necessary to write a successful essay.

Passage #2: Since fidget spinners are often advertised as being helpful for children with ADHD and autism, I wanted to make sure that the students writing this essay understand what these conditions are. That's what this passage is for. It explains what ADHD and autism are and how fidget spinners might be helpful for these students.

Passage #3: The biggest controversy when it comes to fidget spinners is the fact that they are being banned from schools. This passage explains why they are being banned and how people are reacting. This passage includes a bullet list for both sides. It explains reasons for banning fidget spinners, and reasons for keeping fidget spinners in school. A lot of the information from this passage will be used in their essays.

***In all three passages, the paragraphs are numbered and there's a glossary at the end. (Just like the SAGE test in Utah)***

THE EXTRAS

This product has quite a few extras! If you buy this product, you will not only be getting a prompt and three mentor texts, but you will also be getting the following: (please click the preview, where I have posted EVERY SINGLE PAGE of this product):

•Day-to-day instructions that explain what I do with the students for 14 days

•4 different rubrics to choose from (I’ve taken information from the RISE rubric and turned it into one that is more student-friendly and teacher-friendly).

•Brief descriptions of each rubric so that you can know which one you want to use.

•A schedule that outlines what the students will be doing for the next 3 weeks (the rubric and schedule are things I show the students before we begin writing our essays so they know what is expected of them, how long it will take, and how to be successful).

•A checklist that the students can use while they write their essays to make sure they are including everything that their essay needs.

•Two different graphic organizers to choose from (one is completely blank, while the other one has fill in the blanks to help those who struggle with writing).

•Alternative graphic organizers that are decorative (they write their reasons in a fidget spinner).

•Many different types of rough draft paper that you can choose from. (My favorite rough draft paper is the one that has ARMS at the bottom. Many teachers like to use the acronym ARMS when revising with their students).

•An ARMS handout

•Peer Editing Sheets (I love using these! Instead of having students write all over each others’ papers with red pens, they look for certain criteria, fill out the form, and give feedback)

•Two sample graphic organizers, one for each side, that has been filled in by me

•Two sample final drafts, one for each side, that meet all the requirements to get a really good score on the RISE test (both of them are written by me)

•Decorative lined paper that the students can write their final drafts on

•Decorative title pages (the students can use these as a cover for their final drafts.)

•A note that can be sent home to parents to announce the completion of their essays and the sharing party that will take place in class

THE RESULTS

At the end of previous school years, many of my students expressed phrases such as, “Mrs. Lott, thank you for teaching me how to write an essay,” “I like writing now,” “I finally get how to write an essay,” and “I’m not as worried to take the test because I know what I’m doing.” These comments, of course, brought tears to my eyes. I love helping my students become confident writers. Then seeing their end-of-year test scores brought even more tears to my eyes. All students improved and almost all scored between 400-500, which is proficient. I even had several students score over 500!! :)

Please note that this product does not teach students how to write an essay. The intent of this product is to provide an outline and description of what I do for 3 weeks and the resources I use to do it. If you are interested in how I teach my students how to write, follow me on TpT and stay tuned. It is my goal to eventually make writing curriculum that covers every single writing standard for grades 3rd-5th, which is what my 3rd-5th grade writing MEGA BUNDLE will eventually become.

THE STANDARDS

This product is aligned with the following 4th grade writing standards:

CCSS.ELA-LIT.W.4.1

CCSS.ELA-LIT.W.4.4

CCSS.ELA-LIT.W.4.5

CCSS.ELA-LIT.W.4.9

CCSS.ELA-LIT.W.4.10

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© Lotts of Learning 2017