Fourth graders in Robin Ambrosi’s class at Lakeview Elementary School recently marked the conclusion of their opinion writing unit with a special celebration that brought parents into the classroom. The event showcased the students’ hard work and allowed families to engage with their children’s writing.
Leading up to the celebration, the students participated in a fun and interactive polling activity that tasked them with voting on topics like “the best animals” and “the best sports.” The fourth graders used the results as the foundation for their writing persuasive essays before crafting convincing arguments to persuade others to agree with their choices.
On the day of the event, the celebration began with a presentation in which several students shared the outcomes of their class polls. After reading aloud the results of their “best in class” surveys, the students tossed their papers into the air in an energetic display of excitement. Next, each student presented their opinion piece to their table of parents, demonstrating thoughtful arguments and well-organized points, as well as use of persuasive techniques to argue for their positions.
For Ambrosi, the goal of the unit was to teach students the art of crafting a debatable opinion, knowing that not everyone would agree with their perspective.
“I modeled the writing process by showing how I would write my own persuasive essay on the topic, ‘Do dogs make good pets?’” Ambrosi said. “This helped students understand the structure and the importance of including a counterclaim to acknowledge differing views.”
Throughout the unit, the students learned how to organize their essays with clear introductions, body paragraphs, counterclaims and conclusions. They were encouraged to support their arguments with facts, examples and mini-stories, and to use persuasive language, transition words and phrases. After drafting their essays in their writing notebooks, the students revised and edited their work with the help of checklists, peer feedback and teacher guidance.
The writing celebration was a rewarding experience for both students and parents, providing a chance to celebrate the hard work and creativity that went into each persuasive essay. It was a memorable way for the fourth graders to showcase their skills and reflect on their progress as young writers.
