Persuasive Writing - the beginnings...

For the past two weeks, our class has been working on persuasive and opinion writing. They are learning the basics of letter writing including where to put the date, salutation, body, and closing of letter. Students have come up with topics from asking parents for a trampoline to how we can recycle more to save the Earth. We have reviewed the value of adding reasons to their letters to help persuade the reader to see things their way. This is such an exciting workshop because students are designing their own stationary, writing for whatever cause they choose, and getting to "mail" their letters in our classroom mailbox. This following letter was written by Briella and we just had to share it!


Dear Mrs. Mallon,
How are you?  You have been a great teacher today!  I was thinking do you think that the whole class should decorate our mailbox? because 
1.  It will look pretty
2.  The students and me have amazing ideas of what to draw on the mailbox
3.  You and Mrs. Dillard might be impressed.
Sincerely, 
Your best student
Briella

Now how can we deny such a great request given the beautiful "softening up" approach at the beginning and that it was written by our "best student"?  Needless to say, the request was approved!!

FCAT Words and Treats of Encouragement

 

 Of course our First Graders are too young to take the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) this week but we have "adopted" a fifth grade class to show our support. This is the same Fifth Grade class that we "partner read" with every Thursday. The children wrote them letters of encouragement and parents sent in treats for us to give them for every day of the test. The students had fun bagging up the candy and cookies for their friends taking the test. Clever sayings were added to their treats such as: "You're a SMARTIE pants" and "You are one SMART COOKIE".  The letters that the class wrote were amazing. Below is a sample:

Dear Alexa,
I hope you ROCK on your FCAT. I bet you will get an A+. You know I am always with you if you need anything.  Love Hannah

Catching Up on the Month of March

The Mall-ards have just returned from Spring Break and we are ready to tackle the last nine weeks of First Grade. Meanwhile, here are a few pictures and updates of the last month that will bring us up to date:

 The students wrote books about the planets including an introduction and table of contents.

 They gave group presentations about what they chose to learn about - including the sun and moon.

 They collected eggs during our egg hunt before spring break.

 Moms helped hide the eggs for the children to find. 
It was a a very busy month and will only get busier as the end of the school year quickly approaches.