OREO Cookies Can Be Very Persusaive

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

3, 4

Overview

This learning activity will engage the students both visually and rhythmically by displaying examples of key terms used in an opinion essay.  The musical presentation uses the word "OREO" as a mnemonic device to help the students to recall the organizational structure of their paper. It demonstrates to the class the importance of forming good Opinions which are supported by logical >Reasons as well as specific Opinion.

This activity was created as a result of the GAP Resource Summit.

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

ELA21.3.35

Write an argument to convince the reader to take an action or adopt a position, using an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence from various sources, and a conclusion.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.3.35

Vocabulary

  • Argument
  • Take an action
  • Adopt a position
  • Introduction
  • Logical reasoning
  • Evidence
  • Sources
  • Conclusion

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
  • Argumentative writing includes an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence, and a concluding statement.
  • Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various sources.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Write an argument to convince a reader to take action or adopt a position.
  • Include an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence, and a conclusion in argumentative writing.
  • Gather evidence from various sources to support a claim.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • To persuade a reader to take action or adopt an opinion, they must present logical reasoning supported by evidence from various sources.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

ELA21.4.37

Write an argument to persuade the reader to take an action or adopt a position, using an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence from relevant sources, and linking words to connect their argument to the evidence.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.4.37

Vocabulary

  • Argument
  • Persuade
  • Take an action
  • Adopt a position
  • Introduction
  • Logical reasoning
  • Evidence
  • Relevant sources
  • Linking words

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
  • Argumentative writing includes an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence, and a concluding statement.
  • Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various sources.
  • Linking words are used to connect their claim to the corresponding evidence.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Write an argument to convince a reader to take action or adopt a position.
  • Include an introduction, logical reasoning supported by evidence, and a conclusion in argumentative writing.
  • Gather evidence from relevant sources to support a claim.
  • Use linking words to connect their argument to the corresponding evidence.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • To persuade a reader to take action or adopt an opinion, they must present logical reasoning supported by evidence from relevant sources.
  • Linking words can help connect their argument to the evidence supporting their argument.

Phase

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

The student will understand that an opinion essay has a logical structure, point of view, and a concluding statement that relates to the original opinion.

The student will identify the elements of an opinion essay, opinions, reasons, and examples.

Activity Details

Organize the class into groups of three or four. Show them a package of Oreo cookies and explain to the class that they have an important task. They will try to convince their peers of the best way to eat an Oreo cookie.

To make the assignment more interesting, tell the students that the group who can make the most convincing written description will win the bag of cookies!

Do not provide the students with any clues related to the word "OREO." Wait and allow the students to have an opportunity to learn from each other. 

Once all the groups have finished with the "Oreo" writing task, pass out a copy of the OREO worksheet from the link below and play the digital resource. The students will add notes to each section of the worksheet as the video plays. 

https://www.edrawsoft.com/template-oreo-writing-graphic-organizer.php

Possible Answers:

  1. O - Opinion: Write a topic sentence to introduce your topic and state your opinion.
  2. R - Reason: Supply reasons to strengthen your topic and make it more persuasive.
  3. E - Example: Introduce an example to support the reason to make it solid.
  4. O - Opinion: Restate your opinion to conclude the paragraph.

After the students have completed the OREO organizer, have them compare answers within their groups and make corrections to the group's oreo opinion writing piece if needed.

Finally, it is time to see who will win the bag of cookies! Instruct each student to take out a sheet of paper and create a chart with a vertical column titled Group Number and then a column for each letter of the word OREO. The teacher will create this chart on the board also and complete it as the class reads their opinion writing pieces.

Group Number      O        R        E        O

           1

           2

One student from each group will read aloud their group's written description of how to eat an oreo cookie. The students will place a check under each letter if the opinion paper follows the format from the video and their organizer. Did it begin with an opinion? Were reasons stated supported by examples? Did the essay have a conclusion?  This will continue until all groups have a chance to share their assignment. 

Finally, discuss the results from the chart and allow time for students to ask questions or make comments.

All students get a cookie.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

  1. Teacher observations as the students work on the activity.
  2. Students create a graphic organizer related to the video.

Variation Tips

Other Ideas for using OREO with opinion writing:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175218241728666418/?lp=trup

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Buy Oreos.

Make a copy of the graphic organizer or have students create their own.

The teacher must have a way to display the digital resource.

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

rhinehart
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