Students write a persuasive letter to their parents. Choosing a calendar picture is highly motivating and a key component to this writing lesson. Kids LOVE to choose a picture!
The first time I taught this persuasive letter writing lesson, students chose a calendar picture of a cat or dog.
The second time, I brought a wider variety of animal pictures including fish, hamsters and even a fox.
If you teach this lesson, bring whatever animal pictures you have. The sillier the animal, the more excited some of your students will get about writing their letter.
Of course, you’ll still have students who want to keep the letter real and will want a picture of an actual pet, such as a dog or cat.
If possible, have pictures of both kinds of animals on hand.
Writing the Persuasive Letter
My son has been begging me for a fish. Our neighbor’s son is begging her for a pet snake. Most kids dream of having some kind of pet. This lesson gives them a chance to persuade their parents to get them one!
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Common Core State Standards:
NOTE: This lesson can address the following Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1, W.4.1, W.5.1, L.1.2.A, L.1.2.C, L.2.2.A, L.2.2.B and L.3.2.B.
NOW FOR THE LESSON!
To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. The lesson outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use. Here’s the lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7.
Tell the Story Line
First, tell the students the story line: “You’re going to write a letter to your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa etc., persuading him/her/them that you are responsible and ready to own a pet.”
Brainstorm
Second, brainstorm ideas: “What are some things that you can say to prove you are ready? (Examples, I understand commitment, responsibility, cost…)
Show the 5 Sections
- Date/Greeting/Introduction
- 1st Reason
- 2nd Reason
- 3rd Reason
- Conclusion/Salutation/Name
As mentioned in my writing prompts introduction: K-1st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2nd Graders 2 sentences, 3rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.
NOW TO WRITE!
- Write the date on the first line on the right side of the page.
- Skip a line.
- Third, write the greeting on the 3rd line, left side (Capital letters and a comma).
- Fourth, skip a line.
- Fifth, write the introductory statement on the next line stating the main idea of the letter. “In your own words, write, ‘I’m ready to take care of a pet.’”
- Sixth, write the first reason and explain it.
- Seventh, write the second reason and explain it.
- Next, write the third reason and explain it.
- Ninth, write the conclusion that restates the main idea.
- Last, write the salutation under the body of the letter and centered.
- Finally, write your name UNDER the salutation.
Print the Lesson
Here’s the full lesson for you to print out and use.
A student in K-2 might write this example.
A student in 3-5 might write this example.
Calendar pictures are the easiest and most popular art accents that we use. Having calendar pictures of cats and dogs motivate young writers and reward them for their work.
As soon as students finish writing, they can hang their writing next to their calendar picture or put them both back to back in a plastic page protector*.
Student Samples
GAMES TO PLAY!
Sentence Scramblers: (#1 in our Top 5 Writing Games)
Using these sentences
Apples to Apples-Speaking Version
