What Do You Think, and Why?
A 40-minute Grade 1 lesson on making an argument about a real local question, with a reason and evidence.
What Do You Think, and Why? is a free 40-minute Kindergarten to Grade 2 social studies lesson plan for Common Core standard D4.1.K-2 — make an argument and give reasons for it. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Kindergarten to Grade 2
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- D4.1.K-2
Kindergarten to Grade 2 · Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action
D4.1.K-2
Construct an argument with reasons.
Objective
Students will be able to state a view on a local question and support it with a reason from a source.
Students are successful when they can
- States the view.
- Gives a reason.
- Points at something that supports it.
What you need
- The council letter as the question
- The local sources
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — the meeting question
5 min- Read the letter's invitation to say what you think.
- Take a quick show of hands.
Teach — reason, then evidence
13 min- State a view and give a reason.
- Then add the Grade 1 step: point at something that supports the reason.
- Use the letter, the poster or the board as evidence.
- Show a reason with nothing behind it and name what it needs.
- Say why evidence matters at a real meeting: it is what changes minds.
“That is a reason. Now show me something that backs it up.”
Guided practice — three parts
12 min- Pairs each build view, reason and evidence on one question.
- The partner checks the evidence actually supports the reason.
- They swap questions and repeat.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the what-do-you-think page.
- Read the prompt and checklist aloud.
Close
2 min- Take one argument and test its evidence.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
The reason repeats the view.
Why: It follows 'because'.
Fix: Ask what is new in it.
Offers evidence that does not support the reason.
Why: It is from a source, so it feels like evidence.
Fix: Read the reason and the evidence together aloud.
Thinks a strong feeling is evidence.
Why: It is strongly held.
Fix: Ask what somebody else could look at and see.
If they are not there yet
- View and reason only.
- Give the evidence and match it.
If they finish early
- Answer an objection.
- Give two reasons and rank them.
- Argue the side you do not hold.
Exit ticket
Should the road close for the fair? Give your view, a reason and something that supports it.
What to look for: All three parts. A reason with no evidence means the point-at-something step needs enforcing.
Printable practice for D4.1.K-2
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- What Do You Think, and Why?Write your answer. Use the checklist.
Questions about What Do You Think, and Why?
How long does the What Do You Think, and Why? lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does What Do You Think, and Why? teach?
D4.1.K-2 — D4.1.K-2, Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action for Kindergarten to Grade 2: “Construct an argument with reasons.” In plain terms, make an argument and give reasons for it.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
The council letter as the question, the local sources and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: the reason repeats the view; offers evidence that does not support the reason and thinks a strong feeling is evidence. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Should the road close for the fair? Give your view, a reason and something that supports it.” All three parts. A reason with no evidence means the point-at-something step needs enforcing. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with What Do You Think, and Why??
Yes — 1 printable D4.1.K-2 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is What Do You Think, and Why? free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to D4.1.K-2 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.