Christmas opinion freebies

December 12, 2012

Have you started writing opinion pieces as part of the common core? This was our first year to teach opinion as a writing genre and I have really loved it. Usually, we do how-to as this time of the year but that has gone away. I was kinda upset about not teaching how-to anymore because there is so much that you can do with it. But I now love teaching opinion. (There’

This is one of my favorite writing pieces that I have ever read. I’ve read it to tons of people just because I love it so much. Obviously, she was very opinionated about this topic. I was out at a conference with the kids did this so I’m impressed that she wrote so much with a sub in the room.

If you can’t read it, this is what it says:
In my opinion, it is better to be a reindeer than an elf because an elf does not get to guide a sleigh and see people’s houses. A reindeer can. People believe in reindeer more than elves. People sing about reindeer. Reindeer fly with Santa not elves. Reindeer have babies. Elves do not. Reindeer can fly really really really fast. Reindeer run really really really fast too. Reindeer can guide Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Elves can’t fly and are not strong enough. Reindeer take it easy. Elves do all the work. Reindeer can fly to a lot of houses. Elves can’t. Reindeer are the best.

So cute! Anyways, I just had to share that because it gave me such joy. I have made several other opinion prompts for Christmas and some Christmas books. You could probably also use some of them without the books.

Click here to download a free copy (if you leave a comment.) 
Clipart from DJ Inkers and Scrappin Doodles
Please leave me a comment if you download a copy. I know lots of you are out there that grab a copy and don’t comment. I used to do that too. It just takes a second and makes the time to post something worth it.
Have a good night!

53 Comments on “Christmas opinion freebies

  1. Fantastic! Perfect timing! We just started opinion writing this week. Thank you for making next week easier for me.
    Christmas blessings.

  2. We have been opinion-writing too! I used to teach persuasive writing and then it went away but came back as opinion writing. I enjoy it and think the kids do too. This week we are exploring the world of book reviews. Hello Amazon and Spaghetti Book Club! Next we will be writing our own reviews and maybe adding them to the World Wide Web. πŸ™‚ Thanks for the cute freebies!

  3. Thanks courtney! these look great πŸ™‚ I love when i find just what i was looking for online. Thank you for finding the time to do this for other teachers!!
    Carla

  4. As a guest teacher, I'm pinning your blog because of the great ideas and because it gives me some insight into what students are working on (beyond looking at the state standards)!

    I love that you're making writing fun for your students. I was formerly a journalist and one community newspaper would work each Christmas season with second-grade classrooms. The editor and teacher would come up with a theme and have students write a one-page paper which the newspaper would publish just before Christmas, usually accompanied by a class photo.

    As long as you have signed photo releases on file for each student already, this is a lot of fun. Students are motivated to do their very best work and less resistant to editing their work. People in town love to read what they wrote, especially if students are encouraged to be imaginative and aren't simply copying an example.

    I always enjoyed watching how thrilled students and their families were to see their work in print! Often the assignment centered on Christmas wishes (or for Valentine's Day, the students tell what "love" means), but your idea about elves vs. reindeer would work really well!

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