Writing prompt Grade 2 English Language Arts
Should Our Class Have a Water Saver Job? A Grade 2 Opinion Prompt
A grade 2 opinion writing prompt where students decide whether their class should add a Water Saver classroom job and give two reasons joined by because.
Objectives
- Students will state a clear opinion about a classroom job.
- Students will supply two reasons joined by the linking word because.
- Students will end their writing with a closing sentence.
Vocabulary
Key words: opinion, reason, because, save
Teacher overview
Second graders write their best opinions when the choice is real and close to them. This prompt asks whether the class should add a new classroom job called Water Saver, the way many rooms have a line leader or a plant helper. The task follows W.2.1: introduce the topic, state an opinion, give two reasons joined by because, and close. The background gives students the shared facts they need so their reasons come from information, not just a wish.
Prompt
Background: Water helps us every day. We drink it, we wash with it, and we use it to clean. When we let a tap run for no reason, we waste it. Some classes give one student a job called Water Saver. The Water Saver checks the sink after snack and turns off any tap left on. The Water Saver also reminds the class to use just enough water and to tell an adult about a drip.
Writing task: Should our class have a Water Saver job? Write your opinion. Give two reasons. Use the word because to join each reason. End with a closing sentence.
Planning Organizer
Fill in each box before you write.
| Part | My notes |
|---|---|
| My opinion (should we have the job?) | |
| Reason 1 (because ...) | |
| Reason 2 (because ...) | |
| Closing sentence |
From Water for Schools (waterforschools.org). This material is in the public domain (CC0) and may be copied, edited, and shared freely.
Exemplar & Rubric
Exemplar response:
I think our class should have a Water Saver job. My first reason is that it would stop waste, because someone would turn off any tap that is left on. My second reason is that it would help us remember, because the Water Saver would remind us to use just enough water. A Water Saver would also tell an adult about a drip so it can be fixed fast. That is why I think a Water Saver job is a good idea for our class.
Rubric:
| Criterion | Beginning | Developing | Proficient | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion | No clear opinion is stated | An opinion is there but is hard to find | States one clear opinion about the job | States a clear opinion and names the topic in the first sentence |
| Reasons | No reason given | One reason, or a reason without because | Two reasons, each joined with because | Two strong reasons with because, each tied to the background facts |
| Closing | No closing sentence | Ends suddenly with no wrap-up | Has a closing sentence that fits the opinion | Closing restates the opinion in fresh words |
| Conventions | Hard to read; many errors block meaning | Some errors, but the reader can follow | Mostly correct spelling and capital letters | Neat, mostly error-free, with end marks in place |
Differentiation
Support
Let these students say their opinion and reasons out loud, then copy them into the organizer with help. Give a sentence frame: "I think our class should (or should not) have a Water Saver because ___ and because ___."
Extension
Ask students to add a third reason and to answer one worry a classmate might have, such as who does the job when the Water Saver is absent. Challenge them to use the word also to add an idea.
ELL supports
Pre-teach opinion, reason, and save with a quick picture for each. Allow the organizer to be filled with short phrases or drawings first, and let students draw one reason while they build the English sentence for the other.