Compare two opinion pieces, then plan your own piece about an instrument.
Read two opinion pieces
Ms. Haddad's class will learn to play one kind of instrument this spring. The class can choose recorders or hand drums. Kiara and Ravi each wrote an opinion piece to help the class choose.
Kiara's Piece: Let's Learn the Recorder
1Which instrument should our class learn this spring? We get to choose between recorders and hand drums. I think we should learn to play the recorder.
2One reason is that recorders are small and light. You can carry one home in your backpack. That means you can practice every night after dinner.
3Another reason is that you can play real songs on a recorder because you cover different holes to make different notes. We could learn some songs and play them for our families.
4For these reasons, recorders are the best choice for our class. Please vote for the recorder!
Ravi's Piece: Let's Play Hand Drums
1Our class gets to pick an instrument to learn this spring. In my opinion, hand drums are the best pick for us.
2First, hand drums are easy to start. You just tap the top with your hands, so everyone can play on the very first day. Nobody has to wait a long time to join in.
3Also, drums are great for playing together because the whole class can keep the same beat. When we all tap at once, it sounds like one giant heartbeat!
4That is why our class should pick hand drums. Let's make music together as a class!
1.
Who gave each reason? Sort the reasons.
Everyone can play on the very first day.You can carry it home in a backpack.You can play real songs with different notes.The whole class can keep the same beat.You can practice every night after dinner.
Kiara (recorders)
Ravi (hand drums)
2.
Look at paragraph 1 of each piece. How do both writers begin?
○A.They tell a story about their last music class.
○B.They list all of their reasons in one sentence.
○C.They name the topic and then tell their opinion.
○D.They ask the class to vote before any reasons.
Linking words and endings
Linking words connect an opinion to its reasons. An ending tells the opinion again.
3.
Kiara does not use First and Also. Write the word she uses to begin each of her reasons.
Reason 1: reason is that recorders are small and light. Reason 2: reason is that you can play real songs on a recorder.
4.
Circle the four words below that Ravi uses as linking words in his piece.
tapfirstsohandsbeatalsobecausegiant
5.
Which sentence would be one more good reason for Ravi's piece?
○A.Recorders fit inside a small, thin case.
○B.Drumming helps us feel the beat of a song.
○C.My cousin lives next door to a music store.
○D.Our music room has a big, sunny window.
6.
Which sentence could be a different ending for Kiara's piece?
○A.Which instrument should our class learn this spring?
○B.Hand drums are fun to tap with your hands.
○C.My recorder case is purple with white stars.
○D.So let's pick recorders and make music together!
Plan your own opinion piece
Which instrument would you most like to learn to play? It can be any instrument. Plan your own opinion piece.
7.
Opening: Write a sentence that names your topic. Then write a sentence that tells your opinion.
8.
Reasons: Write two reasons. Use because in your first reason. Start your second reason with Another reason is.
9.
Ending: Write a sentence that tells your opinion again. Start it with For these reasons.
