2. Pre-Assessment
1. Think of a book, movie, restaurant, game, or
other experience that you have strong
feelings about.
2. Tell your opinion and tell the reasons why
you feel this way.
3. Vocabulary to know
● persuasive/persuasion - trying to get other people to
think like you
● reviews - opinion writing about a certain book, movie,
game, etc.
● reviewer - the author who wrote the review
● opinion - what you think
● argument - reasons to support your opinion
● audience - the person/people who will read your review
4. Home/School Connection
● Letter to Parents with information about unit
● Students interview adults in their lives to learn
how those grown-ups rely on reviews to
affect their decisions.
● Give students “Reviewers’ Notebooks” to use
at home.
6. Writers write to share our opinions with the world. We write about
people, places, and things we like and don’t like – musical groups,
restaurants, games, movies, books, vacation spots, shows, and songs.
We put our opinions down on paper to convince others why something is
exceptionally great, terrible, or just okay. This kind of writing is called a
review.
Let’s explore some reviews!
Spaghetti Book Club
Common Sense Media
Kids First
8. Writers consider their audience when writing a review.
They use details and reasons to persuade those people
and support their opinion/argument. Reviews should
sound like you are talking to the reader.
Learning Target: I can listen to
and read the poem “Mother
Doesn’t Want a Dog” and write
a persuasive letter to “mother.”
I can state my argument and
support it with reasons and
details.
9. Mother Doesn’t Want a Dog
Judith Viorst, 1931Mother doesn’t want a dog.
Mother says they smell,
And never sit when you say sit,
Or even when you yell.
And when you come home late at night
And there is ice and snow,
You have to go back out because
The dumb dog has to go.
Mother doesn’t want a dog.
Mother says they shed,
And always let the strangers in
And bark at friends instead,
And do disgraceful things on rugs,
And track mud on the floor,
And flop upon your bed at night
And snore their doggy snore.
Mother doesn’t want a dog.
She’s making a mistake.
Because, more than a dog, I think
She will not want this snake.
10. Writers consider their audience when writing a review.
They use details and reasons to persuade those people
and support their opinion/argument. Reviews should
sound like you are talking to the reader.
Learning Target: I can choose a book to review.
I can complete a book recommendation graphic
organizer to organize my thoughts and opinions
about my book, so I can share them with a
friend.
11. Things We Notice in the Reviews We’ve Read
● book info - title, author, genre, what books it is similar to
● summary - what the book is about (without giving away the
juiciest details or ending!)
● opinion - why the person likes it (with detail)
● recommendation - who they think would enjoy the book (try to
recommend it to a wide group of people)
● rating - how many stars they give the book
12. Writing Agenda
1. Mini Lesson 15min (whole group)
2. Brainstorming 5 ideas for Reviews (20min)
3. Wrap up (whole group)
4. Pass Exit ticket (Review Sheet) to Ms. Goodwin.
13. Learning Target: I can generate a list of ideas for a meaningful review
by thinking of something that I REALLY enjoy or dislike that I would like to
communicate to someone else and explain why.
Something I really enjoyed or
disliked
Why do I want to write about it?
Big Daddy’s Pizza - restaurant It has really interesting flavors, like potato, bacon, ranch. The dough
bites are OUT OF THIS WORLD!
TJ Maxx - store It’s affordable, they have really cute clothes, and they have great
gifts there.
Sugarbush Ski Resort in VT - place It’s beautiful there and there’s a lot of terrain for every ability
of skier. The chili bread bowls in the cafeteria are yummy.
Tangled - movie I think it’s really funny - especially the chameleon and horse. I love
the song “I Have a Dream.” The characters are interesting.
The Quiltmaker’s Gift I like that it has a lesson at the end. It has interesting characters and
great illustrations.
14. Writing Agenda
1. Mini Lesson 15min (whole group)
2. Write my introduction to my review (20min)
3. Wrap up and share (whole group)
4. Pass exit ticket (packet) in to Ms. Goodwin.
15. Learning Target: I can write a review with an introduction
that engages the audience they are writing to.
Name: Ms. Sullivan Date: 1-11-16
Review of: Boston Subway System
Have you ever taken the subway in Boston? You
know, the public transportation system that claims to be
efficient, well-run, clean, and enjoyable to ride? If so, you
may have noticed that NONE of these claims are true. In
fact, when I tried to take the subway the other day, I
discovered a bus had replaced a train making my ride
take an HOUR longer! But have no fear! I am here to tell
you that instead of suffering through a noisy, dirty, slow,
frustrating ride on the subway, there are many other
alternatives that you will find to be MUCH more
enjoyable. So throw away your subway pass and read on
to learn why walking, bike-riding, or uber-ing are much
better ways to get around this beautiful city.
We can do this by:
● talking to our readers
● using sensory details
● asking engaging
questions
● using our own
experiences (telling
anecdotes)
16. Learning Target: I can write a review with an introduction
that engages the audience they are writing to.
We can do this by:
● talking to our readers
● using sensory details
● asking engaging
questions
● using our own
experiences (telling
anecdotes)
Name: Ms. Sullivan Date: 1-11-16
Review of: Levain Bakery
Hey! Do you LOVE cookies? Can you imagine
biting into a moist, warm, gooey, chocolate chip cookie
the size of your hand? This scene was something I had
only dreamed about… until I heard about Levain
Bakery, a small, but famous bakery on 74th Street in
New York City. Once I learned this bakery was in my
neighborhood, I could hardly wait for my first trip there.
I was NOT disappointed! The service was pleasant, the
ambiance felt special, and most importantly, the cookies
were the best I have ever tasted. If you are ever in New
York City, be sure to visit Levain Bakery on the Upper
West Side! Read on to find out why.
17. Name: Ms. Goodwin Date: 2-24-16
Review of: Sugarbush Ski Resort
Close your eyes. Imagine yourself gliding down
the soft, powdery slopes. It’s a beautiful sunny day. The
snow is perfect, the view is outstanding, and you’re
happy to be here. You’re at Sugarbush! Well… at least
you could be! Sugarbush Ski Resort is the BEST ski
mountain around! It has amazing terrain for all levels
and a great ski tuning shop. Don’t like to ski? No
problem! You can head to the Gatehouse or Valley House
lodge for an amaaaaazing chili bowl and Vermont
country salad lunch! (One time, they even put mac and
cheese in my chili bowl - what a delicious treat!!) Read
on to learn more about Sugarbush Ski Resort so you can
make it your next great ski vacation!
Learning Target: I can write a review with an introduction
that engages the audience they are writing to.
We can do this by:
● talking to our readers
● using sensory details
● asking engaging
questions
● using our own
experiences (telling
anecdotes)
18. Writing Agenda
1. Mini Lesson 10min (whole group)
2. Write the body my review (20min)
3. Wrap up and share (whole group)
4. Learning Target Check-In
19. Learning Target: I can reinforce my opinions by adding
supporting reasons with evidence.
Sugarbush Ski Resort is the best place to go skiing.
First of all, it has lots of different terrain to please all
levels of skiers. The “Spring Fling” trail is great for skiers
who like to take it easy, “Eden’s Woods” (my personal
favorite) is great for dare devils who like to ski the glades
(in the trees), and “Stein’s Run” is sure to give mogul fans a
thrill. Another reason why Sugarbush is amazing is that
it’s such a big mountain. You’ll never get bored! You can
ski at Lincoln Peak, Castlerock, or Mount Ellen. Did you
know that Sugarbush also has tons of fun winter
events? Already this winter, they’ve had a fireworks show,
a parade, and a few ski competitions. Later this winter,
they’re going to have a festival, a mogul challenge, and
don’t forget the pond-skimming event!
Main Idea →
Supporting Reason #1 →
Supporting Reason #2 →
Supporting Reason #3 →
Evidence →
Evidence →
Evidence →
21. Learning Target: I
can add information
and connect ideas with
transition and linking
words.
Sugarbush Ski Resort is the best place to
go skiing. First of all, it has lots of different
terrain to please all levels of skiers. The “Spring
Fling” trail is great for skiers who like to take it
easy, “Eden’s Woods” (my personal favorite) is
great for dare devils who like to ski the glades (in
the trees), and “Stein’s Run” is sure to give mogul
fans a thrill. Another reason why Sugarbush is
amazing is that it’s such a big mountain. You’ll
never get bored! You can ski at Lincoln Peak,
Castlerock, or Mount Ellen. Did you know that
Sugarbush also has tons of fun winter events?
Already this winter, they’ve had a fireworks show,
a parade, and a few ski competitions. Later this
winter, they’re going to have a festival, a mogul
challenge, and don’t forget the pond-skimming
event!
(These are the three different peaks that make up
the Sugarbush resort.)
Linking Words Transition Words
and
also
but, however
because
since
therefore
for example
not only
unless
first of all, second, third
next
last but not least
finally
as you can see
In conclusion
personally
in my opinion
If… then
especially
22. Learning Target: I can compare my topic to something
else to make my writing more persuasive. I can use details
and descriptive language, and can also include a small
moment story that “storytells” my experience.
Comparing sentence frames
to try today:
If you like _______, then you’ll
LOVE _______!
It reminds me of...
The ______ make you think of...
Storytelling sentence frames
to try today:
One time, I…
Whenever I go to _____, I…
23. Learning Target: I can choose a strong ending
(conclusion) to leave my reader with a lasting impression.
We can do this by:
● Restating our opinions
and reasons
● Talking to our readers
(“you should...”)
● Making sure our readers
are convinced!
Name: Ms. Sullivan Date: 1-11-16
Conclusion: Levain Bakery
If you like sweet treats, and especially if cookies
are one of your favorite desserts, you will definitely
want to make the trip to the Upper West Side in New
York City for Levain Bakery’s cookies. I would rank it
the #1 bakery in the world, a true 10 out of 10. The
cookies there will knock your socks off! The staff is
extremely pleasant and the ambiance gives you a
warm, fuzzy, cookie-licious feeling every time you go. I
highly recommend the bakery to anyone craving a
sweet snack, or anyone with a cookie curiosity! You
won’t be disappointed!
24. Learning Target: I can choose a strong ending
(conclusion) to leave my reader with a lasting impression.
We can do this by:
● Restating our opinions
and reasons
● Talking to our readers
(“you should...”)
● Making sure our readers
are convinced!
Name: Ms. Goodwin Date: 3-10-16
Conclusion: Sugarbush Ski Resort
So, if you love skiing, stop what you’re doing
right now and head to Sugarbush Ski Resort! They
have the best terrain, plenty of areas to ski, and fun
winter events. Don’t forget to try a chili bread bowl
when you’re having lunch in the lodge! In conclusion,
Sugarbush is simply the best - a five star resort, for
sure. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this
recommendation later because, well, you’re just
going to love it! Thanks for reading!
25. Learning Target: I can share my work with others. They
discuss the review and work together to help the writer
appeal to his/her audience.
26. Learning Target: I can revise and edit my review to
make it the best it can be! If a sentence does not match
my main idea, I’ll get rid of it!
So, if you love skiing, like I do,
stop what you’re doing right now
and head to Sugarbush Ski Resort!
They have the best terrain, plenty of
areas to ski, and fun winter events.
Don’t forget to try a chili bread
bowl when you’re having lunch in
the lodge! In conclusion, Sugarbush
is simply the best amazing - a five
star resort, for sure. Trust me, you’ll
thank me for this recommendation
later because, well, you’re just going
to love it! Thanks for reading!
To do today:
❏ Use the checklists at the bottom of each
page to see what you have and what you
need to add
❏ Make sure you introduced your topic and
stated your opinion
❏ Make sure you gave 3 reasons with
evidence
❏ Make sure you used lots of transition
words and linking words
❏ Make sure you wrote a conclusion that
leaves your reader with a lasting
impression!
27. Post-Assessment
1. Think of a book, movie, restaurant, game, or
other experience, that you have strong
feelings about.
2. Tell your opinion and the reasons why you
feel this way.
3. Use everything you know about writing
reviews.
