“The Red Bag” is a great way to have kids think about a problem, form an opinion, and express it clearly in writing, and it’s a great way to think about our watersheds and how to protect them.
Here’s an example of using “The Red Bag” in the classroom. As part of the “Common Core State Standards with California Additions – Planning ELD Instruction: Third Grade,” “The Red Bag” can be shown and then used as an opportunity to write an opinion piece:
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
1. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
2. Provide reasons that support the opinion.
3. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore,
since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.
4. Provide a concluding statement or section.