Students begin this letter-writing journey with a dog whose opinion is persuasively portrayed, and by learning that opinion is not fact. Activities include partner role-play and the chance for students to write a persuasive opinion letter of their own.
Students will be able to write a persuasive letter that expresses an opinion that addresses a concern.
Introduction
(5 minutes)
Gather the Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School picture book and the Op-Ed editorial section of the newspaper and ask students to come together on the carpet or other whole group reading area.
Display the newspaper section and ask if any one has ever heard of writing a letter to the editor to express an opinion about a concern. Discuss and explain those two terms to introduce the picture book.
Hold up the book and introduce Ike as a character with a concern who writes letters to try to change his situation. Later we'll write our own letters about our own concerns.