Lessons & Units :: Fact and Opinion 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Identifying Opinions with Signal Words

Lesson Plan

Dandelions: Stars in the Grass | 460L

Dandelions: Stars in the Grass
Learning Goal
Use signal words to identify an opinion.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials

Provided:
1. Example Chart for Direct Teaching
2. Independent Practice Worksheet

Not Provided:
1. Dandelions: Stars in the Grass by Mia Posada
2. chart paper
3. markers

 

  • Teacher Modeling

    will introduce the definition of an opinion by explaining that an opinion is how you feel or think about something or what you like. An opinion is something that people can have different ideas about. I will give examples of opinions (“Broccoli is the best vegetable.” “Skunks are cute.” “The dark is scary.”) and let the students agree or disagree with my opinions. I will explain that there are sometimes signal words that can help us identify opinions and I will read the signal words from the chart. (Example is provided.) I will provide examples of opinions that use these signal words. I will use Dandelions: Stars in the Grass by Mia Posada to model how to identify opinions. I will read the front jacket of the book and explain that the first sentence inside the book expresses an opinion about dandelions. I will identify the opinion (“the dandelion is a noble breed”) on page 1 and discuss how the sentence starter “to me” is similar to “I think” or “I feel.”

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I decide if a sentence expresses an opinion? Students should respond that you looked for words like "I think," "I feel," or "to me." These are words that tell the reader that it is an opinion.

  • Guided Practice

    will work together to identify the opinion about how dandelions look when they bloom on page 3, what the circle looks like on page 9, what the seeds remind the author of on page 13, and what the dandelions like best on page 17. We will discuss how we knew these were opinions and discuss if we agree or disagree with them.

  • Independent Practice

    will use signal words to identify opinions and explain in writing how you knew they were opinions. (Independent Practice is provided.)

Build Student Vocabulary emerge

Tier 2 Word: emerge
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story In place of petals emerge fluffy tufts of white.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Emerge means to come out of hiding. You can’t see the fluffy white tufts, because the yellow petals are covering them. When the petals fall off, then the fluffy white tufts emerge or come out of hiding.
Students repeat the word Say the word emerge with me: emerge.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts The other day I could not find my dog, until he emerged from under the bed. The sun was hidden until it emerged from behind the clouds. When the school bus stops in front of the school, the children emerge and begin to walk toward the building. The children cannot be seen until they emerge or come out of the bus.
Students provide examples Can you think of a time you saw something emerge? Tell me about it by saying, “Once I saw _____________ emerge from behind___________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? emerge
Additional Vocabulary Words noble, slender

Build Student Background Knowledge

After reading the book, show students the supplementary section in the back of the text, "Eating Weeds." Explain to students that dandelions are considered weeds. Weeds are plants that are out of place and grow where they are not wanted. Since dandelion seeds scatter in the wind, they may end up in unexpected places, like the sides of highways or yards where they were not supposed to be.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

I am a mother of first grader who wants to teach my child how to identify and write opinion. I am waiting for this lesson to be published sooner.

Submitted by tejaswinipereira_1357259 on 2/25/16