Facts and Opinions-Writing Version - Fun Writing Ideas for Kids

Students practice writing facts and opinions. This game goes well with persuasive writing or non-fiction pieces.

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Common Core State Standards

NOTE: This game can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1, W.K.2, W.1.1, W.1.2, W.2.1, W.2.2, W.3.1, W.3.2, W.4.1, W.4.2, W.5.1, W.5.2 L.K.1, L.K.1.E, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.1.D, L.1.1.G, L.1.1.H, L.1.1.I, L.1.1.J, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.1.2.D, L.2.1, L.2.1.B, L.2.1.D, L.2.1.F, L.2.2, L.2.2.C, L.3.1, L.3.1.I, L.3.2, L.3.2.F, L.4.1, L.4.1.E, L.4.1.F, L.4.1.G, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C, RF.1.1.A

It covers a lot!

The game requires one magnetic spinner*. If you haven’t read my full post on the winner spinner you won’t want to miss it! It gives you a long list of game ideas that are so easy to run and super fun for the kids. Check out the full post here.

One Circle

First, draw one circle on the white board, chalk board (or smart board). Divide it into two parts. Write fact on one side and opinion on the other.

How to Play!

Small Groups (up to 8)

For smaller groups (up to 8), I divide the board into 4 sections. A pair is assigned to each section.

Large Groups (8+)

For larger groups, or if I don’t have a large classroom whiteboard, I divide the group into pairs.

Materials

I give each pair a small white board, dry erase marker and a sock to serve as an eraser. You can purchase a class pack on Amazon*.

NOW TO PLAY!

First, one camper spins. Give the group a word to use in their sentence.

2. Second, one partner from each pair then has to write a fact or opinion using that word. The fact or opinion sentence can be normal or super silly!

Checking Their Work

In order to earn a point, the sentence has to have a capital letter, spacing, correct spelling and a period at the end.

Once they’ve completed their fact or opinion sentence, they don’t say anything. Students just hold up their white board.

Need a Thumbs Up!

I look at it to make sure it fits under fact or opinion. Then, I look for capitalization, spelling and punctuation errors. If there is one mistake, I hold up 1 finger, 2 mistakes, 2 fingers, 3 mistakes, 3 fingers, 4 mistakes, 4 fingers. If there are no mistakes, the student gets a thumbs up and tallies a point. Writers who have a mistake continue to correct the sentence until I give them a thumbs up.

Campers who get a thumbs up right away can continue to write more sentences, earning more points while they wait for every camper to finish their one sentence.

Continue play until everyone has had a turn to spin or the time allotted runs out!