Persuasive Writing

I find persuasive writing to be one of the most important forms of writing that students can practise, because it is one of the most used forms of writing outside of the classroom.  Adults who are involved within their community can write to politicians and business owners persuading them to get involved in a cause.  We need to persuade others when we are purchasing or selling a house, we persuade others of our opinions when we are sitting around the dinner table discussing current events. 

In this task, I share an article with the class, normally from Owl Magazine.  In the article, it discusses a question, and displays two different opinions on the issue.  In this case the issue was, "Should we purchase Eco Friendly School Supplies".  At the beginning of the year, I took pictures of the students in a "thinking pose".  Then students write a persuasive paragraph, following the Oreo Cookie method of Persuasive Writing, "Opinion, (Reason, Example x 3), Opinion.  I then created a Bulletin Board entitled, "Speaker's Corner" where the students were able to voice their opinions.  I keep this bulletin board up most of the year, and then just change the topic that they are trying to persuade an audience about every couple of months.  Some other persuasive paragraphs we have tackled are, "Should Remembrance Day be a Statuatory Holiday, Should Plastic Water Bottles be banned, Should Animals be kept in captivity, etc". 

Here are some pictures of our Speakers Corner:

Enjoy my Smart Cookies!

The Smart Cookie Classroom

Here are the pictures that I promised of my classroom! 

My Fact Family Neighbourhood!  Students were given a fact family, and then created the multiplication and division sentences from this.  They then had the opportunity to decorate up their houses. 

The Volume of our Classroom

Classroom Jobs

Papier Mache Classroom for Meet the Teacher night!

Assessment and Evaluation

I snuck into school today to get all caught up before the kiddies come back next week.  I thought I would take some pictures of what has been happening in the classroom this year.  Here is a photo of my Assessment and Evaluation Board.  It is just a different spin to show what effort needs to be demonstrated to get a Level 4. 

Creating a Terrarium

Hey Ladies and Gents,
Recently, I took a close look at Ontario's Science Curriculum.  After close examiniation, I saw an opportunity to create terrariums with my class.

I had my students bring in 2L pop bottles from home, and I bought soil, birdseed and some pebbles. 

Below is a copy of the "Lab Booklet" that I had my Grade Fours complete.  The kids have really had fun with it, documenting the process, and really feeling like "Junior" students. 

I will post some pictures of our progress shortly!

Chat soon my Smart Cookies!
Miss Corby

Here is a picture of a finished terrarium after about 5 weeks.