UNIT 4
Persuasive Writing of All Kinds: Using Words to Make a Change

BEND I ♦ Exploring Opinion Writing: Making Our School a Better Place

Session 1 – Words Are Like Magic Wands: They Can Make Things Happen
FIG. 1–1 Maura's petition

Session 5 – Spelling Strategies Give Writers Word Power
Chart: Writers Don't Say "How Do You Spell…"
Video of Jack's song: MP4 | WMV

Session 6 – Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Writing to Spread the Word (a Mini-Celebration)
Opinion Writing Checklist, Kindergarten and Grade 1
Chart: Writers Write to Make the World Better
FIG. 6–1 Melody's petition
FIG. 6–2 Jonathan's sign
FIG. 6–3 Evan's letter

BEND II ♦ Sending Our Words out into the World: Writing Letters to Make a Change

Session 7 – Writing Letters that Reach Readers
Paper Choice: Letter

Session 8 – Studying a Mentor Text (a Guided Inquiry)
FIG. 8–1 Lily's letter

Session 10 – How Can We Make It Better? Imagining Solutions
FIG. 10–1 Anna's letter
FIG. 10–2 Kristopher's letter
FIG. 10–3 Danielle's letter

BEND III ♦ Persuasive Writing Projects

Session 13 – Sound Like an Expert! Teaching Information to Persuade Your Audience
Chart: We Can Be Really Convincing

Session 15 – Writing How-To Books to Make a Change
Chart: Writers Can Make a…

Session 17 – Speaking Up and Taking a Stand: Planning and Rehearsing Speeches
Sample Speech Prompts
Link to Video of Mentor Speechmaker
Chart: Make People Really Listen

Session 18 – Fixing and Fancying Up for Publication Using the Super Checklist
Opinion Writing Checklist, Kindergarten and Grade 1
Chart: Make People Really Listen

Session 19 – The Earth Day Fair: An Author's Celebration
FIG. 19–1 Jonathan's How-To book
FIG. 19–2 Melody's letter
FIG. 19–3 Evan's letter
FIG. 19–4 Zaara's letter
FIG. 19–5 Margaret's How-To book
FIG. 19–6 Sebastian's How-To book