Lesson
3
:

Writing an Opinion Piece About Compassion

Grade

Grade 3

UNIT

6

Compassion

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

In Unit 6, Lesson 3, “Writing an Opinion Piece About Compassion,” students will write an opinion piece in which they introduce the topic they are writing about, state an opinion, create an organizational structure that lists reasons, use linking words and phrases, and provide a concluding statement or section.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Demonstrate comprehension of the word compassion
  • Write an opinion piece that introduces the topic, states an opinion, creates an organizational structure that lists reasons, uses linking words and phrases, and provides a concluding statement or section.
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 6 Worksheet 3: Writing an Opinion Piece About Compassion

VOCABULARY:

  • Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B

Provide reasons that support the opinion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C

Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D

Provide a concluding statement or section.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4

With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.C

Use abstract nouns (e.g., childhood).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.F

Ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.I

Produce simple, compound, and complex sentences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A4

Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community)

Self-Awareness A3

Explain the ways in which you use and practice your personal strengths (e.g., your willingness to help others, your positivity)

Civic Character A4

Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3

Understand and recognize the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., honesty, compromising, sharing, encouragement)

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will write an opinion piece about the most important way you can show compassion. An opinion piece does five things. 

  1. First, it introduces the topic you are writing about.
  2. Second, it states your opinion.
  3. Third, it supplies reasons that support your opinion
  4. Fourth, it uses linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons
  5. Finally, it provides a concluding statement or section
  6. Here is an example of an opinion piece about compassion. Write on the board:

    Topic: There are many different ways we can show compassion.
    Opinion: The best way I can show compassion is by helping my students learn to read and write well.
    Reason 1: Reading well helps us to succeed in life because it helps us to learn all the information we need.
    Reason 2: Reading well helps us to learn about new worlds and ideas, and to enjoy experiencing stories.
    Reason 3: Writing well is very important so that we can communicate well with others and form good relationships.
    Closure: In my opinion, the best way I can show compassion is by helping my students learn how to read and write well so they can have good relationships and be successful.
  7. Now each student will write their opinion piece on their worksheet.

NOTE: Collect and keep the worksheet on the following page for the next day’s lesson in which students will share their opinion pieces with a partner.

GRADE 3 UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN OPINION PIECE ABOUT COMPASSION

Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. 

ACTIVITY: Write an opinion piece about the best way you can show compassion.

Topic:

Opinion: 

Reason 1: 

Reason 2: 

Reason 3: 

Closure:  

Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

unlock all lessons:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.