Becoming Informed About a Cause
Football Can Be Dangerous
SI Heads Up Football is Safe
Kids Health: Five Ways to Avoid Sports Injuries
Endangered Animals
Endangered Species Facts
Endangered Species Laws
People Shouldn't Wear Animal Fur
12 Surprising Animals People Wear
People Should Protect the Rain Forest
Rain Forest Facts
People Shouldn't Own Exotic Pets
Owning Exotic Pets
Kids Who are Stressed
Helping Children Succeed in School: School Stress
Are We Stressing Out Our Kids?
Childhood Stress
Bullying/ Friendships
TFK Stop Bullying Now Comic Strip
Scholastic News: Are You Being Bullied?
Scholastic News: Buddy Bench
Animals Less Fortunate
ASPCA How Your Kids Can Help Shelter Pets
Scholastic News: Shelter Helpers
Information for Kids: Ways to Help
Animal Shelters: 17 Facts You Need to Know
People Less Fortunate
Food Gatherers: How Your Food Business Can Help
Saline Social Services
Petitions as Opinion Writing
Kids petition Crayola to start a recycling program for markers.
Read the actual petition on Change.org
Here is another example of a petition written by kids for Change.org
Speeches as Opinion Writing
Severn Suzuki petitions leaders at the UN to take better care of the earth.
Click here to read the family letter about our classroom recycling project. This letter was also sent as an email over holiday break.
Opinion Writing from 2013-2014
Congratulations to Ashton, and all the persuasive letter writers for their hard work and passion!
Earlier in the year, students wrote persuasive speeches. Some wrote to teachers, some to the principal, some to the mayor, and many to you as parents. One of our students, Ashton, wrote passionately about proteting the environment. She wanted to send her letter to the President of the United States, so we set out to make that happen. Today, Ashton received a reply. Here are a few pictures to chronicle her exciting mail!
Today, Daniel recieved his response to his persuave letter. He wrote to President Obama to tell him how great he thought our country was. Here are a few pictures to show Daniel sharing his exciting mail with the class.
Changing the World: Persuasive Speeches, Petitions, and Editorials
Lesson 1: Speech-Writing is a Kind of Opinion Writing.
The writer, or speaker, puts forth an opinion- a thesis statement- and then gives reasons, details, and examples that support that opinion. The tricky part is that the writer, or speaker, has to choose reasons that will convince his or her audience.
Students were charged to come up with a problem and look for solutions. They decided, that after the long winter break, they would like Fridays to be fun and relaxing. So, after some group class work to refine our 'problem' and some solutions, we wrote the first paragraph together. From there, they worked individually, writing as many persuasive reasons for Fun Fridays that they could in 30 minutes. That's right- 30 minutes. Did I say that Mrs. Szczechowics was our audience, and that shey would be listening to the kids opinions (arguments) and making a decision right away? Below you will find the ideas the kids came up with... and the results :)
The writer, or speaker, puts forth an opinion- a thesis statement- and then gives reasons, details, and examples that support that opinion. The tricky part is that the writer, or speaker, has to choose reasons that will convince his or her audience.
Students were charged to come up with a problem and look for solutions. They decided, that after the long winter break, they would like Fridays to be fun and relaxing. So, after some group class work to refine our 'problem' and some solutions, we wrote the first paragraph together. From there, they worked individually, writing as many persuasive reasons for Fun Fridays that they could in 30 minutes. That's right- 30 minutes. Did I say that Mrs. Szczechowics was our audience, and that shey would be listening to the kids opinions (arguments) and making a decision right away? Below you will find the ideas the kids came up with... and the results :)
Why We Need Fun Fridays:
- still learning while having fun (most convincing reason for audience, Mrs. S.- the kids came up with these on their own- and in this order)
- doesn't cost any money (second most important reason for audience, Mrs. S.)
- make everyone happy
- more comfortable- relaxing
- gives a break from routine
- teachers can do it, too!
Our first paragraph went like this...
Dear Mrs. Szczechowicz,
Our class would like to have more Fun Fridays this winter. Some examples could be: hat day, slipper day, or pajama day. The most important reason is we can have fun while still learning. All the kids in school would like to have some fun while learning!
Dear Mrs. Szczechowicz,
Our class would like to have more Fun Fridays this winter. Some examples could be: hat day, slipper day, or pajama day. The most important reason is we can have fun while still learning. All the kids in school would like to have some fun while learning!
At this point, kids went off to write their own invidual paragraphs to persuade Mrs. Szczechowicz to let us have Fun Fridays. Remember, they only had 30 minutes! They were reminded to think about their audience to come up with the most persuasive reasons possible. They were also asked to use transition words such as "the next great reason" or "another good reason" as well as giving multiple reasons and examples. Look for student paragraphs to be added here shortly.
Mrs. Szczechowicz came into the room and the kids made their proposal. We read the first paragraph written together, and then went around the room asking students to read their persuasive reasons aloud. Mrs. Szczechowicz gave it some thought and had a few questions and concerns. She needed to step out of the room for a few minutes, so we put our heads together and got to work brainstorming. Here are her concerns... and our responses.
Safety (such as wearing slippers for a fire drill)
Distracting (kids not able to concentrate on work)
When Mrs. Szczechowicz returned, the kids were ready. They presented their new ideas for her concerns and she was persuaded. She gave permission for Woodland Meadows to celebrate Fun Fridays for the months of January and February. The kids were excited and much cheering and fist-pumping ensued! The power of their words made a positive impact immediately :) For the next three weeks, we will be looking for other problems or injustices to solve, other great things to herald. At the end of this unit, your child will produce writing that will go out into the world- and make a difference.
Mrs. Szczechowicz came into the room and the kids made their proposal. We read the first paragraph written together, and then went around the room asking students to read their persuasive reasons aloud. Mrs. Szczechowicz gave it some thought and had a few questions and concerns. She needed to step out of the room for a few minutes, so we put our heads together and got to work brainstorming. Here are her concerns... and our responses.
Safety (such as wearing slippers for a fire drill)
- we could wear comfy shoes instead of slippers
- we could keep slip-on shoes near our desks
- we could keep our slippers handy
- we wouldn't wear slippers to P.E.
- we would wear comfortable clothes instead of pajamas
- we would plan our comfy clothes day around any planned fire drills
Distracting (kids not able to concentrate on work)
- we could bring extra clothes in case someone loses the priveledge
- any class may opt out of Fun Friday if they are too distracted
- emphasize to kids that this is still a learning place
- remind kids to learn at school, be more crazy at home (their words :)
When Mrs. Szczechowicz returned, the kids were ready. They presented their new ideas for her concerns and she was persuaded. She gave permission for Woodland Meadows to celebrate Fun Fridays for the months of January and February. The kids were excited and much cheering and fist-pumping ensued! The power of their words made a positive impact immediately :) For the next three weeks, we will be looking for other problems or injustices to solve, other great things to herald. At the end of this unit, your child will produce writing that will go out into the world- and make a difference.
Lesson 4: Considering Audience to Say More...
When writers want to persuade people, they try to make them think and act in particular ways. They think about their audience and work to reach them. One way to reach them is to address them directly. They often use the words you and you're. Can you find these direct addresses in the ads below?
When writers want to persuade people, they try to make them think and act in particular ways. They think about their audience and work to reach them. One way to reach them is to address them directly. They often use the words you and you're. Can you find these direct addresses in the ads below?
Anticipating Questions Your audience Might Have...
What are some questions the ad might be trying to answer for the reader?
What are some questions the ad might be trying to answer for the reader?