Class Pet Persuasive Essay
Overview
This Class Pet Persuasive Essay is a fun engaging activity because students will be making a Spark Adobe Video as the cumutative assessment. The lesson plan goes through each step following the writing process of brainstorming, writing a rough draft, editing, revising and then a publish video. Graphic organizers are provided along with resources such as youtube, Utah Online Library, Wonderopolis, and google search articles, for students to use for information.
Summary
Students will research, write an informational/persuasive essay concerning a classroom pet. They will also create a spark adobe video expressing why their pet choice is the best choice.
Time frame 1-2 weeks for research, writing essay and creating video
- Format can be face-to-face, or virtual
Background for Teachers
- To teach this lesson, you will need an understanding of the writing process: brainstorming session, rough draft, revise, edit, and puplish (video) spark adobe)
- Idea of what pets you would allow for the classroom: birds, lizards, spiders, small rodents, aquadic aminals such as fish and turtles, or hermit crabs ect.
- The following resources can help you teach this topic... youtube, wonderopolis, google articles, Utah's Online Libray, grahic organizer ( essay and spark adobe) LInks under instruction section of this lesson plan
- I put all the information in Google Classroom for students to use and access. optional can be done pencil paper use also
Step 1 - Goals and Outcomes
Learning Intentions:
- Students will be able to research a selected pet and identify cost of set up for classroom habitat, care needed for long term basis (food, water, exercise, temperature needs), and benefits of having a class pet. They will use essay organizer to pull together their research information, and find images. They will use this organizer to help with the adobe organizer to write their story along with images to share with the class why their pet is the best choice.
- Students will be able to understand how caring for a pet is a big responsibility, not only for the health of the pet but also in time and money needs. The importance of keeping the pets environment is crucial to the pets survival.
- knowledge of using Google Classroom if set up that way
Success Criteria:
- Students will create then share a spark adobe video explaining the needs of the pets survival, how we can build a successful habitat, and why the pet is important in our classroom.
- Students will discuss all the different pets and their needs to make a choice as to our class pet. They will comparea and contrast the benefits of pet needs and care, cost, and classroom likes or dislikes of each pet.
Step 2 - Planning Instruction
Student Background Knowledge
- Prior to this lesson, students will need to have an understanding of the writing process and using a graphic organizer.
- Experience of having a pet whether on their own or of a friend or family member.
- Some knowledge of types of pets appropriate for a classroom and responsiblilites to care for a pet.
- Google Classroom
Strategies for Diverse Learners
The graphic oraganizer can be modified for students who need it. Perhaps less explainations for each reason. Text to speech app on the computers for typing in information. More time if needed. Students with little experience with pets, I have the wonderopolis and youtube video that will be shared with all my students.Pet Care Basics Why do People Keep Pets
Step 3 - Instruction
Day 1 Start a class discussion on pets leading up to having a class pet. Explain that they can have a class pet if they can persuade you. Ask what it means to persuade someone? Draw upon examples they have of trying to persuade /convince their parents into something. Next, ask what is required to have a pet and to keep it alive? Let students share their experience with pets. Be sure to cover responsibilites in habitat needs, care for survival, and how pets make them feel. Show the youtube video "Pet Care Basics" discuss. Then have them read the Wonderopolis article " Why Do People Keep Pets" After this make a class list of pets that the students can research for aclassoom pet. Be sure you allow the list to be pets you would allow in your classroom. Have each student choose a pet. you will probably have a few students choose the same pet, but make sure you hava a good variety.
Day 2-3 Have students login to Google Classroom or hand out persuasive organizer. Have each student write the pet they chose. Explain that they will have to come up with three reasons why their pet is the best choice: 1. set up and cost of habitat, 2. daily care and needs for pet survival, and 3. benefits to our learning in the classroom. Let students begin their research on their individual pet needs and take notes on the organizer. This will fill in reason 1 and 2 on the organizer.Have them add images and explain copywrite laws. use google advance search. Explain that the Reason is the main ideas of each section. The details explain the main ideas. Provide a few examples: Main idea: Creating a habitst for a Gecko is easy and after the first set up cost easy to maintain. Detail 1 - A glass aquarium with a few items like sand, logs, and shelter is all you need for a habitat. The best way to purchase these items can be found used saving you money. aftyer students fill in organizer, they write out their essay, revise, and edit
Day 4 -5 Read articles on Pros and Cons for pets - add links in Google cassroom. Students use information to fill in third section of organizer along with their own voice and thoughts. Pets in the Classroom Pros and Cons, Pets in the Classroom, Pet world book UEN online LIbrary
Day 6-7 Students take persuasive organizer to write out script for adobe video on adobe graphic organizer. Add link to Google Classroom.
Day 8 Students begin video adding text, images, and music background
Day 9 Students record their video
Day 10-? Students share video with class
Day ? Students compare and contrast information then vote on classroom pet
Step 4 - Assessments
Formative assessments:
Teacher will check each organizer before students can move forward.
First Persuasive, each student will have the three reasons with a main idea sentence and 2 details explaining. Can be done through Google Classroom or paper pencil method.
Students follow the writing process. Writing a rough draft, revise and editing marks. With a concentration on capitals and end punctuation. Students circle words unsure of spelling, so teacher can address them quickly.
Teacher will sign adobe spark organizer after students fill in before they can record.
Cumulative assessment
Students will share their final essay persuading teacher and students to choose their pet as a video: Each video will have at least 11 slides but no more than 15. Each slide will follow the format of the organizer. Each slide will have 1 image. Text will start with capital and correct end punctuation. Music added to background.