Providing options for paper allows all your students to do the same type of writing (opinion, persuasive, or argument) in many different ways. Differentiating the materials makes it possible for all your students to do the work–without having to resort to a formula or fill-in-the-blank worksheet.
Persuasive speech writing is a powerful way to show students their voices matter, to use the mandated curriculum as that springboard for thinking critically. But before my students begin to write speeches, there is work to be done.
“Suddenly, the most beautiful words filled the air. Eva was rehearsing her writing aloud, in Spanish. I quickly reached for my phone and recorded her, so she’d remember her plans. But Eva didn’t need that. The words came right back, this time, on paper.”
How can we help writers develop solid ideas before delving too far into the work of persuasive writing?
Meet Pablo and take an adventure in Delphine Perret’s book as he travels the world!
Janiel Wagstaff’s books will help you teach primary writers about the four types of writing in an engaging way. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win her series of Stella books.
A possible plan for a unit on persuasive writing independent projects
To be an effective democratic citizen, the ability to engage in debate is crucial. For anyone remotely interested in politics (don’t worry, I won’t stay on this topic long, I promise!), debate is… Continue reading
Finally! I’ve found a new picture book I can use in opinion writing units of study. Learn more about One Word from Sophia by Averbeck and Ismail in this post. Then, leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of this book.
Frustrated? Write about it!
Want some fresh ways to channel your students to write about history? This post offers some light and fast tips that could easily be turned into weighty and meaningful instruction.
A recent visit to San Francisco inspired me to think about oral story telling, publishing, an persuasive writing. Here are five things my trip left me thinking about. PLUS, leave a comment on this blog post for a chance to win a copy of a new picture book from Chronicle Books.
“Mom, you need to talk to Noah and tell him I need more cinnamon on my morning toast.” I raised my eyebrows at the first grader. “I doubt you need more. You already… Continue reading
We are thrilled and honored to be guest blogging here this week. We are both huge fans of the blog, the Two Writing Teachers community and of Ruth and Stacey’s work. Having recently… Continue reading
Last week I was fortunate to spend the day with Karen Caine. Are you familiar with her work? It is the book that I have had to buy the most — SIX times… Continue reading
In one of the kindergarten classrooms I’ve been working in, we’ve been learning: Writers share their opinions. This has been a unit of study inspired by the Common Core State Standards, which place… Continue reading
Yesterday I heard James Kofi Annan tell his story of child slave to business man to freedom fighter for the children in Ghana. Check out this CNN video for a taste of what… Continue reading
Yesterday in Mr. Gause’s third grade class, some incredible thinking was happening. This week we launched into reviews. Earlier in the week, he asked students to test different toy cars and then select… Continue reading
I’m excited to share this with you. It was one of those times when things just worked out in writing workshop. In one of the third grade classes studying reviews, we began talking… Continue reading
This week I launched a REVIEW UNIT in several third grade classrooms. On the first day I asked, “Have you ever heard of a review?” Heads shook. “Okay, then, let me show you… Continue reading
