Writing prompt Grade 2 Social Studies & Civics
Should Our Class Keep a Water-Saving Rule? A Grade 2 Opinion
A grade 2 social studies opinion writing prompt about a classroom water-saving rule, with a planning organizer, a full exemplar, and a four-level rubric.
Objectives
- Students will state an opinion about a class water-saving rule.
- Students will give two reasons using a linking word and write a closing sentence.
Vocabulary
Key words: opinion, reason, because, save
Teacher overview
Second graders can hold an opinion about a rule that touches their own day, and a class water-saving rule is a fair, low-stakes place to practice. This prompt gives a short, simple background about water running at the classroom sink, then asks students to state an opinion, give two reasons with the word because, and write a closing sentence. The task doubles as a small civics lesson: a class is a community, and its members can choose a rule that helps everyone use a shared resource well.
Prompt
Background: Our class uses water at the sink every day. We wash our hands. Some of us let the water run while we rub in soap. That water goes down the drain. It is not used. A class could make a rule: turn off the tap while you soap your hands. Then turn it back on to rinse.
Writing task: Should our class keep a water-saving rule? Write your opinion. Give two reasons. Use the word because. End with a closing sentence.
Planning Organizer
Fill in each box before you write. Then use your boxes to write your opinion.
| Part of my writing | My idea |
|---|---|
| My opinion (yes or no) | |
| Reason 1 (because ...) | |
| Reason 2 (because ...) | |
| My 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 keep the water-saving rule. We should turn off the tap while we soap our hands. I think this because water that runs down the drain is wasted, and no one gets to use it. I also think this because saving water is a way to help our town when there is not much rain. Turning the tap off is easy, and it does not hurt our clean hands at all. Our class should keep the water-saving rule so we do not waste water.
Rubric:
| Criterion | Beginning | Developing | Proficient | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion | No clear opinion is stated | An opinion is hinted at but unclear | States a clear yes or no opinion | States a clear opinion at the start and repeats it at the end |
| Reasons | No reason is given | Gives one reason | Gives two reasons that fit the opinion | Gives two clear reasons with a detail that explains each |
| Linking words | No linking word is used | Uses a linking word once | Uses because to connect an opinion and a reason | Uses because for both reasons smoothly |
| Closing and conventions | No closing sentence; hard to read | A short closing; several errors | A closing sentence; most words and marks correct | A strong closing; sentences are neat and easy to read |
Differentiation
Support
Let these students say their opinion and reasons aloud to a partner first, then use the frames "I think ___" and "I think this because ___" to write. Accept a drawing beside each reason.
Extension
Ask students to add a third reason, or to name one other place a water-saving rule would help, such as at home or on the playground, and give a reason it would help there.
ELL supports
Pre-teach opinion, reason, save, and waste with a picture for each. Provide the sentence frames on a card, and allow the first draft to use short phrases before adding full sentences.
Extensions
Hold a class vote on whether to adopt the water-saving rule for real. Post the winning opinion with its two best reasons by the classroom sink so the whole class can see the choice they made together.