📖

Linking Opinions Together

Building Strong Opinions

Day 72of 180
Week 15of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn and use linking words for opinion writing

2

Connect ideas using transitional phrases

3

Practice creating coherent opinion paragraphs

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 15:23

“A man has joy in giving an apt answer; and a word spoken at the right time, how good it is!”

— Proverbs 15:23 (WEB)

Just as good words connect ideas, linking words help us express our thoughts clearly

📦 Materials Needed

  • Writer's notebook
  • Colored pencils
  • Linking words reference sheet
  • Whiteboard and markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and explain how linking words help us connect our thoughts, just like friends connect in conversation

💭 Review Question: Can you think of a time when explaining something was difficult?
2Teaching (10 min)

Introduce linking words for opinion writing: because, therefore, since, for example, in addition

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Linking words help readers understand our ideas
  • They show how different thoughts are connected
  • Good writers use linking words to make their writing clear
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think linking words are important?
  • How do linking words help us understand someone's opinion?
3Activity: Linking Words Puzzle (10 min)
hands-on

Students create opinion paragraphs using linking words to connect ideas

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose an opinion topic
  2. Write a main opinion statement
  3. Create 2-3 reasons using linking words
  4. Draw a picture to illustrate your opinion
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide a word bank of linking words

Challenge: Create a multi-paragraph opinion piece

4Closing (5 min)

Share a few examples of opinion paragraphs with strong linking words

📝 Review Questions:
  • What linking words did you use today?
  • How do linking words help our writing?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us communicate our thoughts clearly and kindly

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about adding evidence to our opinions

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 15:23

“A man has joy in giving an apt answer; and a word spoken at the right time, how good it is!”

— Proverbs 15:23 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Linking Words Chain Game

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Third graders are learning to express opinions with more complex language

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage precise language
  • Help children understand the difference between opinion and fact
  • Model using linking words in everyday conversation
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse linking words or overuse them

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Clear connections between ideas using appropriate linking words

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a linking words poster
  • Write a letter to a friend using linking words
  • Play a linking words verbal game

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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