Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog

Fancy Ideas for the Everyday Classroom

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

Not my Gumdrop Buttons {a persuasive writing unit}

November 25, 2014 By fancyfreein4th

Last week my students used my Wait, Wait! Don’t Shoot! Persuasive Writing Set and wrote from the point of view of the turkey who job it was to convince the farmer spare their life  and eat something else for the Thanksgiving Day Feast.
The kids came up with a lot of amazing reasons why the farmer shouldn’t eat them- including: I have Turkey Pox, my turkey family will seek revenge on you and turkey has too much trytophan in it so you will be too tired watch/play football.  I was happy to see them peer edit like champions!  It definitley made my life a lot easier but it also had them thinking in a different way.
The key to peer editing is having it be super structured with specific things for them to look for.  They aren’t going to catch them all but it will for sure help you when it’s your turn to edit with them.  Before they switched their paper with another person they had to highlight all of the first letters in each sentence- this ensured that they had capital letters to start each new sentence.  They circled with red pen any words that they were unsure of the spelling and lastly they highlighted all of the periods (or other ending punctuation symbols).  When they switched it with their partner, they had to sit side by side and read their own story to their neighbor. This allowed them to hear their own story and catch any other mistakes.  While they were reading their partner could make correction/suggestions at the end of each sentence. At the end they told their partner two things they liked about their story and made one constructive comment.  Then it was the other partners turn.  It was very successful! 
Writing persuasively is a new skill for my kiddos.  SO, since this was their first shot at it and they LOVED it so much I created one for winter- Not my Gumdrop Buttons .
{Keep reading for a Pin It to Win It Giveaway}

Here is their prompt
I have 2 circle maps that are used to help them jump start their thinking. I have them work on their own for 3 minutes, share with a partner for a minute and then as a class I make a giant collaborative circle map so others can add the great ideas of their classmates to their own.
The next step is making a cause and effect flow map to help them explain their reasons better.  I provided some thought starters this time because I noticed that some of my more hesitant writers needed some extra support

I do a few mini lessons while going through this unit. One is reinforcing transitions that are tailored to writing persuasively. They are used to narrative transitions, so this is important.

Another mini lesson is going over personal pronouns. This is important because they are writing from the point of view of the gingerbread cookie- some kids struggle with this and I pull them aside and give them this word bank to help them as they construct their draft.

This is something new that I added to this set again to help better support my students who either have a language barrier or who have writers block.  This next circle map is a great teacher resource to use during the modeling process. It provides great ideas but allows the students to explain it.  This can be done orally, whole group. I always tell the class that even if we come up with the same 3 reasons why Santa shouldn’t eat you that is ok because you are making it your own with the explanation process.  Another way you can use this is by giving it to the group of kids that struggle the most coming up with ideas in a small group setting during writers workshop.  
The last mini lesson that I included in this set is Hook ideas.  I went over it with my class last time with the Wait, Wait! Don’t Shoot prompt- but having this resource in their writers workbooks is a great idea because they can reference it all year long.  I came up with some hooks that go along with this specific prompt.  This is another great support for your kiddos who have no idea where to start. I encourage my students to use my examples as inspiration.
After all of the minilesson and prewriting activities are done… this is where the magic happens!  

After they write their Flee map they write their rough drafts adding more detail, using figurative language, strong adjectives and vivid verbs. Then is the self editing checklist and peer editing….

and then publishing it on their festive final draft paper….
and last but not least is their gingerbread craftivity…. because like I always say- upper graders still love to make crafts!

This set is on sale now! Just for some pre-Thanksgiving fun… Pin it to win it!!!

Also included are 5 slides for students who do not celebrate the holidays with Santa. These edited slides ask them to persuade a hungry kid not to eat them as a tasty snack.

ANNNND…. for some pinning fun… The first 3 people who pin this get this for free! Just leave a comment below saying you did it and your pinterest address (for example mine is pinterest/laylawhenry).  Ready set pin!!! Make sure to leave your email in the comments section along with your pintrest address!

«
»

Filed Under: Christmas, gingerbread, on sale, persuasive writing, Uncategorized, writing 10 Comments

Comments

  1. Sara {Miss V's Busy Bees} says

    November 25, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I pinned it! And LOVE it!! My students need help with persuasive writing like no other and this pack is PERFECT for just that!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746088441230/ (username: ventresa)

    Sara
    Miss V's Busy Bees
    ventrellasara@gmail.com

    Reply
  2. Nettie says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    Pinned! My Pinterest name is Annetta Horn.

    Reply
  3. Suzy Q says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    Pinned here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/442126888393114947/

    I love doing gingerbread stories in December and the writing component would take our studies over the top!

    tokyoshoes at hotmail dot com

    Reply
    • Suzy Q says

      November 26, 2014 at 8:26 am

      Obviously failing reading comprehension! Pinterest address is tokyoshoes.

      Reply
  4. Nettie says

    November 25, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    http://www.pinterest.com/Nettie
    I pinned it. I can't wait to use this in my class.

    Reply
    • Layla Wiedrick Henry says

      November 26, 2014 at 11:40 pm

      What's your email Nettie?

      Reply
  5. Lopez Land Learners says

    November 27, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    These look fabulous!

    Susan
    Lopezlandlearners.com

    Reply
  6. janiefahey says

    November 30, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    Layla – I absolutely love this! I would love to use it, but I'm sensitive to those in my classes that don't celebrate Christmas. Would it be possible if I purchase it to edit the pages so that it is to persuade a child or person not to eat it?
    Thanks!
    Janie
    Are We There Yet?

    Reply
  7. Layla Wiedrick Henry says

    December 1, 2014 at 12:25 am

    Janie,

    What a great suggestion! I just updated the product with 5 additional slides that have them persuade a hungry kid not to eat them!

    Reply
  8. janiefahey says

    December 2, 2014 at 3:00 am

    I just purchased it. Thanks for making the addition!
    Janie
    Are We There Yet?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Widget

Welcome Widget

Subscribe Via Email

Topics

Latest on Pinterest

  • These Donut EOS lip balm cards are the perfect party favors for a Donut party, bridal shower, baby shower, teacher gift, Valentine, Mother's Day or Easter!
  • Teacher Appreciation Donut Door Decor idea
  • Data Wall
  • Figurative Language Spring Bulletin Board
  • emoji surprise ball DIY
  • Get your desk organized with a Teacher Tool Box!
  • Great ideas for Classroom Jobs
  • Organizing state reports in your classroom
  • Flip Your Classroom on a Budget
Follow Me on Pinterest

Instagram

Took a mental health day, and I don’t feel guilt Took a mental health day, and I don’t feel guilty about it at all.  We heard last week that we are remaining in distance learning for the rest of the year and I’m coming to terms with having to switch grade levels (and classrooms) next year 😬. So, today I took a day to myself, got a hair cut, finished a book and I’m feeling good. I’ll let tomorrow wait and enjoy the rest of today. To all my fellow teachers out there, keep on keeping on and it’s ok to take a minute (or a day off) for yourself.
Spending this lazy Sunday afternoon writing 💕Va Spending this lazy Sunday afternoon writing 💕Valentine’s to my students. I am writing different figurative language notes on each postcard. Then we are going to share them on GoogleMeets during our morning meeting and vote which figurative language is on each student’s post card! You can take the teacher out of the classroom but they will still find ways to engage; no matter the distance! This year I have to mail these to my students ((because of distance learning)) but who doesn’t love some good ole snail mail 🐌 💌.
This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not th This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not the point...

I love being a teacher. I am aways challenged and get to be creative (especially these past 11 months). I feel at home at my school, and I’ve missed it so much since working at home. My district is in a zip code that is highly impacted with COVID-19, and we have felt the effects tremendously. Everyday, I am amazed by how resilient my students have been since their little world’s 🌍 changed on March 13th, 2020. It’s been one, wild ride, reinventing teaching, trying to stay motivated, trying to keep them engaged while feeling supported and seen. Yet,  I’m hopeful this chapter soon will end. Amidst all of the unexpected and difficult things that have happened this last year... there’s still a lot of good out there. Look at this 💛 glimmer of hope and goodness. My uncle and Father in Law just made a class set of desks for my students (plus 30 more for other kids at my school). They used their stimulus money to give back to my school community. This desk will be their own special spot, and memory of the time we learned from home. I’m feeling really grateful and I can’t wait to see past the masks and imagine the smiles that my students will have when they pick these new family heirlooms up on Friday!
Sometimes it is all about the little goals you mak Sometimes it is all about the little goals you make for 2021. Ones like drinking more water and making sure to stand while distance teaching. I miss the days of walking around the classroom, running down the the stairs to grab my class after recess and hopping into a coworkers classroom at lunch.
Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a lon Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a longer winter break but as soon as the school day started, it was game on. I was so excited to see my students online, ready to learn. I am constantly in awe of how resilient they are and how even though we have yet to be together in person, we have created such a supportive and close community. We giggle, we work, we do the best we can and feel good about it together.
Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Little Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Littles! Thank you @chattyfeet for helping us deck the halls and keeps our toes cozy and cute!
Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit an Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit and using one of my all time favorite prompts where the students pretend they are the turkey and they sere persuading a hungry child to not eat them on Thanksgiving! The students work on time, dialogue and perspective in this. Check it out! Your students will gobble this up!
Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tre Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tree yet (#scrooge) I am stocking up on stocking stuffers instead! Move over slime and hello 👋 squishies and plushies. Grab these and a whole lot more @orientaltrading ❄️ The countdown clock ⏰ to the holidays is officially on! Be sure to order early so that you get all these goodies in time. Oh and FREE shipping on any order Friday-Sunday use code: Favorites20 at check out ✅! #ad #orientaltrading #OTCholiyay #otcchristmas
Working hard on alliteration and using adjective a Working hard on alliteration and using adjective and adverbs this week with this adorable winter ❄️ sticker science. This can be used in so many fun ways, endless possibilities!  #ad * Select holiday products are up to 60% off
 * Order early, shop now, carriers expect shipping delays as we get closer to the holidays
* Offer Details: The offer will be Free shipping on any size order
 * Plus $10 off orders $59+, $15 off orders $79+, or $20 off orders $99+
 * Use Code: CyberYay20.
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in