Writing is obviously an important part of third grade learning. Because we know that the best learning comes from students who are engaged and invested in their work, teachers brainstormed how they could get the kids to be excited and motivated to write. The answer? Food! Food is something we all enjoy and it’s a very appealing topic for kids so teachers decided to connect it to the writing curriculum through a unit on persuasive writing.
The important academic component of differentiating between opinion and fact was the perfect starting point for the students. What we think is not always what is true. Students discussed how opinions and words can shape and influence the way other people think. This is an important skill, especially in today’s world. Discussing further, students also talked about the ways COVID-19 affected businesses in their community. Students looked with their teachers at Yelp reviews of Great Wolf Lodge and local restaurants and noticed how the words impacted their thinking. Through these discussions it became obvious there was real work that students could get involved in to make a difference in the community around them.
Teachers designed a way for students to learn persuasive writing skills while engaging in this work. Knowing the restaurant industry has suffered recently, the teachers brought in a local restaurant owner who explained to students what it is like to run a restaurant and what it has been like the last few years. After the visit, students compiled a list of restaurants and selected ones that they felt could use their help. They were tasked to write a restaurant review to support a local restaurant.
Students were challenged to conduct interviews, collect quotes, use catchy beginnings, and use descriptive language. Students used their persuasive writing skills to construct a review that would be mailed or delivered to the local restaurant to be used to promote their establishment.
This project developed curious thinking as it incorporated lots of brainstorming and planning, but also gracious communication as students learned about opinions and facts, and that their words matter! When students reflected on the project, they expressed their deeper understanding that their work can make a difference in the communities in which we live, work, and play!