Opinion Blueprints Slides Opinion Blueprints
Building Strong Arguments
Lesson 1: Stating an Opinion
The Big Scoop
What is the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate?
Vanilla?
Strawberry?
Does everyone agree? Why or why not?
What's the Difference?
Fact
Something that is always true. We can prove it!
"The sky is blue today."
Opinion
What you think or feel. Not everyone agrees!
"Blue is the prettiest color."
Building Your Sentence
Use this blueprint to share your idea:
"In my opinion, ________ is the best because ________."
1
State Opinion
2
Give a Reason
Architects at Work!
Turn to a partner and share your opinion about one of these topics. Use the blueprint!
Best Pet
Best Toy
Best Video Game
"In my opinion, LEGOs are the best because you can build anything with them!"
Foundation of Facts Worksheet Foundation of Facts
Lesson 1: Fact vs. Opinion
Name:
Date:
FACT
True for everyone. Proven with proof.
Example: "Dogs have 4 legs."
OPINION
How you feel. Others may disagree.
Example: "Dogs are the best pets."
1
Is it a Fact or an Opinion?
Read each sentence. Circle the correct word.
1. Apples grow on trees.
FACT OPINION
2. Apples are the tastiest fruit.
FACT OPINION
3. School starts at 8:00 AM.
FACT OPINION
4. School is very fun!
FACT OPINION
2
Architect of Ideas
Choose a topic below and build your own opinion blueprint.
The Weather
My Favorite Book
The Best Color
My Opinion:
In my opinion,
is the best because
Architect's Checklist:
Capital letters
Finger spaces
Period at the end
Evidence Detectives Slides Evidence Detectives
Case File: Finding Proof
TOP SECRET: LESSON 2
What is Evidence?
Detectives need PROOF to solve a case.
We use evidence to show why our opinion is true!
Sources of Proof:
Photo Proof
Speaking Like a Detective
When you find proof, use these clues:
"The text says..."
"I can see that..."
"I know this because ________."
Case Study: The Sleepy Dog
Max the dog lay on his fluffy rug. He closed his eyes and started to snore. His tail was still.
The Question:
Is Max awake or asleep?
Find the proof!
"In my opinion, Max is asleep because the text says he closed his eyes and started to snore."
Time for Field Work!
Open your Detective Log. Look at the pictures carefully. Find the proof to solve the opinion cases!
Look
Find
Write
The Proof Is in the Picture Worksheet Confidential File
Detective's Evidence Log
Unit: Argument Architects | Case #002
Agent Name:
Date:
Detective Tools (Sentence Starters)
"The text says..." "In the picture, I see..." "I know this because..."
Case Study #1: The Rainy Day
The Text
Sam put on his yellow raincoat and tall boots. He grabbed his umbrella. Outside, the grass was very wet and the sky was gray.
The Picture
[Picture of Sam standing near a big puddle of water with a smile on his face.]
The Investigation
Question: Does Sam like the rain?
My Opinion:
My Evidence (Proof):
Case Study #2: Lunch Time
The Text
Marta opened her lunch box. She saw a green apple and a ham sandwich. She took one bite of the apple and made a frowny face. She put the apple back.
The Picture
[Picture of Marta looking at a green apple with her tongue sticking out.]
The Investigation
Question: Does Marta think the apple is yummy?
My Opinion:
My Evidence (Proof):
Case Closed
Friendly Bridges Slides Friendly Bridges
Building Strong Conversations
Lesson 3: Respectful Talk
Two Ways to Connect
Agreeing
"When you think the same thing as your friend."
Disagreeing
"When you think something different, but you are still kind."
Building the "I Agree" Bridge
When you agree, say their name and give a reason:
"I agree with [Name] because ________."
"We are on the same side!"
Building the "I Disagree" Bridge
It is okay to have a different idea! Be a polite architect:
"I disagree with [Name] because I think ________."
No "No way!" or "You're wrong!"
Bridge Builders Game
"I think recess should be two hours long because we need more exercise!"
Speaker 1
"I disagree with you because we also need time to learn math and reading."
Speaker 2
Your Turn!
Use your cards to agree or disagree with your partner's topic.
Bridge Builder Cards Bridge Builder Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Use these cards during your "Partner Talk" time!
I AGREE
"I agree with you because ________."
Architect of Agreement
I DISAGREE
"I disagree with you because I think ________."
Respectful Architect
YES, AND...
"I agree, and I also think that ________."
Connection Builder
DIFFERENT IDEA
"That's a good idea, but I have a different idea."
Kind Contraster
Partner Discussion Topics:
Is breakfast the best meal?
Are cats better than dogs?
Should we play outside every day?
Is blue the best color?
Conversation Tower Slides Conversation Towers
Building Up Our Ideas
Lesson 4: Adding On
Don't Just Talk... Build!
A great architect doesn't just put one brick on the ground. They stack them higher and higher!
We do the same with our ideas. We listen, then we add more!
The Rule:
Wait → Listen → Add
My Friend's Idea
My Idea
Adding More!
The "Adding On" Blocks
Use these to build on what your friend said:
"I would like to add to that..."
"Also, I think that ________."
"Another reason is ________."
Are You Listening?
Eyes
Look at the speaker.
Mind
Think about their words.
Hands
Keep them still.
"You can't build a tower if you don't have a foundation! Listening is your foundation."
The Talking Ball Circle
1
The teacher tosses the ball to a student.
2
The student shares an opinion.
3
The next student must say "I would like to add to that..."
"Building Together!"
Talking Brick Worksheet Tower Building Log
Lesson 4: Adding On
Architect:
Date:
Listen to your classmates during the Talking Ball circle. Every time someone adds an idea, you build a brick! Write one word or draw a small picture of what they said.
Brick 4: Final Addition
"I want to add..."
"Also..."
Brick 3: Another Reason
"Another reason is..."
Brick 2: First Addition
"I agree, and..."
The Foundation: Start Here
First Student's Opinion
Listening Self-Check
I looked at the speaker.
My body was calm and still.
I thought about their idea.
I added a new brick (idea)!
The Great Debate Slides The Great Debate
Argument Architects Final Showcase
Graduation Day
Today's Big Question
"Should our school have longer recess every day?"
Team YES
Team NO
Rules of the Debate
1
Wait for your turn to speak.
2
Use your sentence frames!
3
Listen to the other side.
4
Be a kind architect (Respect).
Your Architect Toolbox
Stating Opinion
"In my opinion..."
Giving Evidence
"The text says..."
Respectful Reply
"I agree/disagree with..."
Adding On
"I would like to add..."
You have everything you need to build!
Let the Debate Begin!
Show us how you build ideas together. We are all listening!
1
Prep
2
Speak
3
Listen
Debate Planning Blueprint Debate Prep Blueprint
Building the Ultimate Argument
Master Architect
The Big Question:
Should our school have longer recess every day?
1
My Foundation (Opinion)
I am on Team: [ Circle One ] YES or NO
"In my opinion, ________ because ________."
2
My Bricks (Evidence)
Reason 1
Reason 2
3
My Response (Listening)
I will use these bridges to talk to the other team:
AGREE: "I agree with you because..."
DISAGREE: "I disagree with you because I think..."
ADD ON: "I would like to add that..."
Argument Architect Rubric Argument Architect Rubric
Final Debate Assessment Tool (Grade 2 ESL)
Skill Area Master Architect (3) Apprentice (2) New Builder (1) Opinion & Reasons
| Clearly states opinion using frame. Provides 2+ relevant reasons. | States opinion. Provides 1 reason. May need frame reminder. | Opinion is unclear. No reasons provided. |
|
Evidence (Proof)
| Uses "The text says..." or "I see..." to point to specific proof. | Gives a general reason but does not cite specific text or picture. | Does not provide evidence to support the claim. |
|
Respectful Talk
| Politely agrees/disagrees using frames and partner's name. | Wait for turn, but may forget polite frame or name. | Interrupts others or uses impolite language. |
|
Adding On
| Listens and adds to a peer's idea using "Also" or "I would like to add..." | Listens, but shares a completely new idea without connecting. | Not focused on previous speaker. Repeated ideas. |
Observation Notes & Strength Stamps
Write student strengths and specific vocabulary used here...
Great Frame Use
Super Listener
Bridge Builder
Evidence Finder
© 2026 Argument Architects Instruction | Standards: SL.2.1, SL.2.3, W.2.1
