Mentor Texts + Technology = Persuasive Writing

Made with My Cool Signs.Net

First of all thanks to Karen at Talkworthy for using these creative scrabble letters in her post.I totally borrowed her idea. I am thinking differently about my next unit in writing which is focused on persuasive writing. I have been teaching this unit for a number of years however, this year I am focusing more on combining state indicators both from reading and writing to use my time more efficiently as well as how am I going to use technology within the unit.

Here are some of the ideas that I am not going to change from previous lessons.

*Using amazing picture books including: This School is Not White, Click Clack Moo, Earrings, I Wanna New Room which I learned about from Two Writing Teachers.

*My friend Frankie, at Literate Lives suggested these two titles: A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea and Should We Have Pets?

*Using our weekly Scholastic News as well as the ones that we have kept in our reader's NB all year to refer to the student debate section.

*Having the students begin to read the newspaper (paper or online version) and bring in an article that supports persuasive writing.

What I am going to change this year is the option on how to record their notes as well as the end product. I am going to give the students a menu to choose from for their final presentation.

*Using evernote to record their thinking instead of paper/pencil

*Using their iPod and the app Storyrobe which uses voice and pictures.

*Using flip videos to create their presentation which will be saved to their iPods

*Keynote which will be saved to their iPods for final presentation

This will be another HUGE learning curve for me because I have not used Storyrobe or flip videos in my class this year. I am excited but nervous about how the menu will work with my class. I am most excited about the students having choice on their final presentation. Check back on Wonderful Word Wednesday for another fun surprising picture book for persuasive writing.