1. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1.A - Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons (English Language Arts Standards).
   1. Introduce the topic they are writing about.
      1. Remembering
         1. Know the definition of a "Topic"
            1. Students will be able to recite the definition of a topic in terms of their writing before moving on to the next step.
      2. Understanding
         1. Students will demonstrate their understanding of a Topic.
            1. Students will be asked to list the qualities of a topic and why it is important to stories and writing.
      3. Applying
         1. Students will identify the correct topic for a variety of mediums.
            1. Students will be provided with various mediums like text and images with a list of possible topics. They will be responsible for matching the correct topics with the appropriate source before moving on.
      4. Analyzing
         1. Students will create a topic when provided with a group of common information.
            1. Students will be provided a list of facts and a group of images and they must come up with their own topic for each. They will also be given the opportunity to mix and match the text and pictures to come up with new topics before moving on.
      5. Synthesis
         1. Students will create their own topic.
            1. Students will be asked to create their own topic based on facts that they have collected accompanied by an illustration of the topic. Students can move one once they demonstrate mastery of topic creation
      6. Creating
         1. Students can deconstruct a topic.
            1. Students will be provided a single sentence explaining a topic and will be instructed to come up with facts, ideas or images that would support the main idea. Should be completed once established the student has the ability or needs a challenge.
   2. State their opinion.
      1. Remembering
         1. Know the definition of an "Opinion"
            1. Students will be able to recite the definition of an opinion before moving on to the next step.
      2. Understanding
         1. Students will demonstrate their understanding of what an opinion is.
            1. Students will be asked to list the qualities of an opinion and why it is important to stories and writing.
      3. Applying
         1. Students will identify the difference between an opinion and a fact.
            1. Students will be provided with sentences that represent both facts and opinions. Students will be asked to sort them into two separate categories. They will also answer a few questions with a partner about the differences they used to sort them apart. This should be completed before moving on.
      4. Analyzing
         1. Students will come up with what components make up an opinion.
            1. Students will analyze their previous examples of opinions or even write their own and come up with a formula for the appropriate components of an opinion. Like key words and other descriptive characteristics. This should be completed before moving forward to the next step.
      5. Synthesis
         1. Students will create their own opinions.
            1. Students will be asked to create their own topic based on facts that they have collected. Students will share their opinions with others at their table. Students should demonstrate mastery of opinion formation prior to moving forward.
      6. Creating
         1. Students will create opposing opinions and be able to differentiate between the two.
            1. Students will be asked to come up with two opposing opinions for a set of information. They will then be asked to illustrate these opinions using technology of their choice. They will be able to show significant differentiation between the two sides of the opinions.
   3. Create a structure that lists reasons for their opinion.
      1. Remembering
         1. Know the proper structure for supporting their opinions with reasons
            1. Using what they have learned about Topics and Opinions students will define what structure is used to use reasons or facts to support opinions. They should be able to recite this before moving forward.
      2. Understanding
         1. Students will understand why reasons are used to support opinions.
            1. Students will be asked to list the reasons for using reasons or facts to support opinions. They will be asked to find examples in a collection of non-fiction writing.
      3. Applying
         1. Students will be able to identify reasons that do not support the appropriate opinions.
            1. Students will be provided a list of opinions and a series of different media like text, video and/or audio. They will be asked to pair the appropriate opinions with the different supporting reasons. This should be completed before moving forward.
      4. Analyzing
         1. Students will poll their classmates regarding their options
            1. Students will use a set of facts or a set of information and present it to their classmates. They will then poll their classmates on their opinion of the topic based on the information. Students will sort the data and draw conclusions as to why their classmates had the opinions they had.
      5. Synthesis
         1. Students will find their own facts to support a previously made opinion.
            1. Students will come up with an opinion and then research and find facts to support their thinking. They will use the structure they learned earlier to put them all together including their Topic and Opinion. Students should demonstrate mastery int his prior to moving forward.
      6. Creating
         1. Students will use reason to support an opinion regardless of if they agree or not.
            1. Students will be placed in pairs and will each be assigned one side of an opinion they will most likely not agree with. They will then be responsible to find information to support their opinion and will have to argue their side with their partner to try and convince them to agree!