This or That Essay
💻 Online Lesson Plan: “What’s Better?” — Writing an Opinion Essay
Grade: 7–9
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Setting: Virtual / Online (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
Genre: Argumentative / Opinion Writing
🎯 Learning Targets
By the end of this lesson, students will:
-
Choose between two options and state a clear opinion.
-
Support their opinion with reasons and examples.
-
Organize an online essay using a clear structure.
-
Use proper grammar and conventions to show writing maturity.
💡 Essential Question
How can I use writing to explain and defend my opinion about what’s better — and why?
🧰 Tech Tools
-
Poll or Chat: Quick “This or That” warm-up (Zoom poll, Google Meet chat, or Padlet).
-
Google Docs or Slides: For drafting essays.
-
Jamboard or Whiteboard.fi: To brainstorm pros and cons.
-
Breakout rooms: For short discussions or peer sharing.
🪶 Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up (5–7 minutes): “This or That” Poll
Share a live poll or chat prompt with pairs like:
-
Star Trek 🖖 or Star Wars 🚀
-
Marvel 🦸♀️ or Anime 🎌
-
Cats 🐱 or Dogs 🐶
-
Pizza 🍕 or Tacos 🌮
✅ Students vote using emojis, chat messages, or Google Form poll responses.
💬 Discuss results briefly:
“Why do you think your choice is better?”
“How do opinions make us unique?”
Transition: “Now you’ll use writing to defend your choice — just like a mini debate in essay form.”
2. Mini-Lesson (10 minutes): “How to Build an Online Opinion Essay”
Share screen with a slide or example paragraph:
I believe cats are better than dogs because they’re independent, quiet, and comforting. My cat doesn’t need walks, and she always purrs when I read. Dogs are fun, but cats fit my calm lifestyle.
Explain structure:
-
Intro: State your opinion clearly.
-
Body: Give 2–3 reasons, each with an example.
-
Conclusion: Wrap up and restate your view.
Show a color-coded example on your screen or interactive slide.
Invite students to highlight transitions (“because,” “another reason,” “finally”).
3. Brainstorm (10 minutes): “Pick Your Pair”
Share a digital list of options (in Chat or Google Doc).
Students choose their own pair — or suggest one in chat.
Examples:
| Pop Culture | Food | Life | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel vs. DC | Pizza vs. Tacos | Summer vs. Winter | Online vs. In-Person |
| Star Trek vs. Star Wars | Cake vs. Ice Cream | City vs. Country | Homework vs. No Homework |
💬 Have students share their choice in chat.
🧠 Use Jamboard/Padlet: one column per topic — students post quick pros & cons.
4. Independent Writing (20 minutes)
Students open a Google Doc (or assignment in LMS) and begin drafting:
-
Title: What’s Better?
-
Paragraph 1: Opinion statement
-
Paragraph 2–3: Reasons with examples
-
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Remind them:
Use transitions and proofread your writing.
Be clear, confident, and yourself!
Monitor work in Docs or LMS; comment in real time for feedback.
5. Reflection & Share (10 minutes)
Options for online sharing:
-
Breakout Rooms (2–3 students): Read one paragraph each.
-
Padlet Gallery: Students post a favorite sentence or screenshot.
-
Poll: “Who convinced you the most?” (fun, lighthearted voting).
Wrap up discussion with:
“What made a good argument?”
“What writing habits showed maturity?”
🧩 Extension or Homework
-
Revise your essay after teacher comments.
-
Add a counterargument: “Some people think ____, but I believe ____.”
-
Post final draft to class Padlet or discussion board.
💬 Teacher Tips for Online Delivery
-
Use emojis or polls to boost engagement.
-
Spotlight strong sentences during share-out.
-
Offer live feedback via chat or Docs comments.
-
Keep tone friendly, supportive, and conversational — it helps online learners open up.
Post a Comment