3rd Grade Writing Lesson 30: Write Reviews of Books or Movies

Objective

I can write a review of a book or movie by sharing my opinion, giving reasons, and telling whether I recommend it.

Materials

Pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (wide lines preferred)

Mini-lesson — Reviews share an opinion and reasons

A review tells what you thought about a book or movie. Good reviews include an opinion, reasons, and a clear recommendation for the reader.

What strong writers do

Name the book or movie: Tell what you are reviewing.
Share your opinion: Say what you thought clearly.
Give reasons: Use details about the story, characters, or parts you liked or disliked.
Make a recommendation: Tell whether you think others should read or watch it.

Example

Book: The Wild Robot
Opinion: I liked it because the main character changed and learned a lot.
Recommendation: I would recommend it to readers who enjoy adventure and feelings.

Quick check: “Can the reader understand my writing without extra help?”

Guided Practice — Build clear writing

Choose 3 sentences from the Trace menu and copy them neatly on paper. Then use the Tracing Pad to practice words, sentences, and marks.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build review sentences

Drag the words into the correct order to build each sentence about writing reviews.

Inamethebookfirst.

Isharemyopinionclearly.

Igivereasonsanddetails.

Myreviewstaysfocused.

Icanrecommendit.

Thereaderunderstandsmyview.

ItellwhatIliked.

Itellwhyitmatters.

Thismoviewasexciting.

Myendinggivesadvice.

Quick Check — Reviews

Choose the best answer about writing a review.

What should a review name first?

the book or movie a random animal only the ending

What should the writer include next?

an opinion no topic only page numbers

Why give reasons in a review?

to explain the opinion to hide the opinion to remove the topic

What can a writer comment on?

characters, story, and favorite parts only the paper color nothing at all

What is a recommendation?

advice about whether others should read or watch it a missing title an empty page

Which sounds like a review opinion?

I liked this book because the ending surprised me. Books are rectangular. Yesterday is a word.

Why stay focused in a review?

so the opinion stays clear so the reader gets confused so the title disappears

What should the ending do?

give a recommendation start a new topic remove the opinion

What is the main goal of a review?

to share an opinion and reasons to list unrelated words to hide what the writer thinks

What is the goal of this lesson?

to write reviews of books or movies to avoid giving reasons to forget the recommendation

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Names the book or movie clearly States an opinion Gives reasons and details Makes a clear recommendation

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write a clear review. 🙂 I can do some parts, but I need more practice. 😅 Explaining my opinion still feels tricky.

I will practice…

Giving better reasons Staying focused Making stronger recommendations