Second Grade · Writing · week 13

Should Kids Have Screens Daily?

Write an opinion paragraph on a real debatable question, using reasons that could persuade a reader who disagrees.

So far your opinions have been about favorites -- things nobody could really argue with. This week is different: you take a side on a real question people actually disagree about.

Persuasive reasons need to work on someone who might think differently than you. A reason like "because I want to" will not persuade anyone -- a reason grounded in something true (health, learning, family time) might.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Remind your child this is a friendly opinion, not an argument -- the goal is a convincing reason, not winning a fight.
  • Ask "would that reason work on someone who disagrees with you?" as the test for a persuasive reason.
  • If a reason is just a preference ("I like it"), ask "why would that matter to someone else too?"
  • Let your child's real opinion stand, even if it differs from your house rules -- this is a writing skill, not a rule negotiation.
Talk about it:
  • What real question did you take a side on?
  • Which of your reasons do you think would work best on someone who disagrees?
  • Was it harder to write a persuasive reason than a favorite-season reason? Why?

Mastery looks like: They take a clear side on a real debatable question and support it with a reason built to persuade, not just personal preference.

Common stumbles: Writing a reason that only explains a personal want ("because I want to") instead of a reason that could move a reader.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

Paragraph BuilderStack a paragraph: topic sentence, details, closing.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Writing for this learner.
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