Lessons

Grade 4

Lesson

3

:

Writing an Opinion Piece About Grit

Lesson
3
:

Writing an Opinion Piece About Grit

Grade

Grade 4

UNIT

2

•

Grit

Last Updated:

May 26, 2025

In Unit 2, Lesson 3, “Writing an Opinion Piece About Grit,” 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.

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SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Demonstrate comprehension of the word grit
  • 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 

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Prohuman Grade 4 Unit 2 Worksheet 3: Writing an Opinion Piece About Grit

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VOCABULARY:

  • Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up.

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.A

Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer's purpose.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.B

Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.C

Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.D

Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.F

Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.A

Use correct capitalization.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.D

Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3.A

Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

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Performance Character A5

Define grit (e.g., perseverance and passion for a long-term goal)

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Self-Awareness A1

Understand and explain why different situations may set in motion or give rise to different emotions (e.g., learning something new or difficult, meeting someone new)

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Self-Awareness A3

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

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Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A1

Write and share with your classmates an ethical principle you wish everyone in the world would follow all the time (e.g., all people are created equal, be honest, be kind)

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LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will write an opinion piece about the best way you can show grit and why it is important to show grit. 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 (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 grit. Write on the board:
    Topic: There are many different ways I can show grit.
    Opinion: The best way I can show grit is by grading all my students’ papers quickly.
    Reason 1: My students need me to grade their papers to help them become better writers.
    Reason 2: Grading my students’ papers on time gets them the help they need more quickly.
    Reason 3: The faster my students get their papers back, the faster they can improve their writing.
    Conclusion: In my opinion, the best way I can show grit is by grading
  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.

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GRADE 4 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN OPINION PIECE ABOUT GRIT

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Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up.

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ACTIVITY: Write an opinion piece about the best way you can show grit and 3 reasons it is important to show grit.

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Topic:

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Opinion: 

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Reason 1: 

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Reason 2: 

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Reason 3: 

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Closure:  

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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/

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