1.800.221.5175
Mathematics
Sadlier Math Grades K–6
Core Program
Full Access
Progress in Mathematics Grades K–6
Core Program
Full Access
Progress in Mathematics Grades 7–8+
Core Program
Full Access
Progress Mathematics Grades K–8
National Program
Full Access
New York
Critical Thinking for Active Math Minds
Grades 3–6
Preparing for Standards Based Assessments
Grades 7–8
Reading & Writing
From Phonics to Reading Grades K-3
Print Program
Interactive Practice Bundle
Fluency Booster Practice Book
Interactive Assessments
High-Impact Tutoring
Sadlier Phonics
Grades K–3
Close Reading of Complex Texts Grades 3–8
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Building Reading Success with Wiley Blevins Grades K–5
Tier 2 & Tier 3 Intervention for Grades K—5
Sadlier Handwriting Practice
Print Program
Progress English Language Arts Grades K–8
National Program
Full Access
New York
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Workshop, Tools for Comprehension Grades 1–5
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop Achieve Grades 6–12+
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop, Tools for Excellence Grades 6–12+
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop Adaptive
Grades 6—12
Vocabulary for Success
Grades 6–10
Grammar
Grammar Workshop, Tools for Writing
Grades 2–5
Grammar Workshop
Grades 6–8
Grammar for Writing
Grades 6–12
Intervention
Building Reading Success with Wiley Blevins
Tier 2 & Tier 3 Intervention for Grades K—5
Professional Learning
Professional Learning
Services

Sadlier's
English Language Arts Blog

The home of Vocab Gal and other educational experts K–12 resources

November 16, 2015 VG Teaching Resources Vocab & ELA Res, Vocab Gal, ELA K-5, ELA 6-8, ELA Resources - Activities, ELA Focus - Writing, ELA 9-12, ELA Focus - Writing with Vocabulary

Persuasive Letter Writing Exercises for Grades 2–12

I can’t wait to present at NCTE 2015 so many educational rockstars including writing goddess Dr. Beverly Chin, grammar guru, Tiffany Rehbein, English teacher Katie Decker, and moderator Leanne Deschamps. As I worked with them on our presentation and my part’s culminating activity, I thought what a good blog post it would make.

Plus, in case you don’t get to head to Minneapolis in November (no, I’m not worried about the weather, why do you ask?), here is the activity to share with your students right away!

However, I do hope I get to see you in Minneapolis and share all of my ideas along with the amazing activities and inspiration from Tiffany and Beverly!   Come see us on Friday, Nov 20th, from 9:30-10:45 in the Minneapolis Convention Center, 101FG.

Persuasive Letter Writing Exercises

Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? Well it’s time to start salivating, because you and your students are about to make your dreams come true (at least, let’s hope so). In this activity, students and teacher write persuasive letters that argue for a change each wants to see in their lives.

Vocabulary-Activities 

Grades 9–12

Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? Well it’s time to start salivating, because you and your students are about to make your dreams come true (at least, let’s hope so). In this activity, students and teacher write persuasive letters that argue for a change each wants to see in their lives.

First, ask students what they want most to change at this time in their lives.

My suggestions include:

  • a later curfew
  • a new position on your sports team
  • a change in chores assigned
  • a chance to drive the car
  • better hours at work
  • the ability to retake a test

You can also share with them something that you desire, whether it be more help with the dishes at home, or a grant from the government for more supplies for your classroom.

Then, you and your students brainstorm reasons with examples for why what they want to change should occur. Next, decide which type of introduction would suit various audiences, and then have them draft their letters, making sure to use at least 5-8 vocabulary words to sound most convincing and persuasive.

You can ask students to write multi-paragraph essay-style letters or make a bulleted list of points for a quick oral presentation. Additionally, students could include charts, graphs, or visual aides to make their points even more persuasive.

Finally, after editing and revising their drafts, have students present their letters (or speeches) and follow up with a discussion regarding the outcomes in class.

Not only will you have students motivated to write, but they will become much better persuasive writers because of the extremely personal and meaningful purpose behind their writing. Plus, maybe you can get something tangible for your model writing!

Grades 2–8

Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? Well it’s time to start salivating, because you and your students are about to make your dreams come true (at least, let’s hope so). They are going to write a persuasive letter to argument their points to make a change in their lives.

First, ask students what they want most to change at this time in their lives.

My suggestions include:

  • a later bedtime
  • a chance to try a new activity, instrument, or sport
  • a change in chores assigned
  • the opportunity to travel

You can also share with them something that you desire, whether it be more help with the dishes at home or a government grant for more supplies for your classroom.

Then, you and your students brainstorm reasons and examples for why what they want to change should occur. Next, decide which type of introduction would suit various audiences, and have them draft the letters, making sure to use at least 5 vocabulary words to sound more convincing and persuasive.

You can ask students to write a letter or make a list of points for their persuasive or oral presentation. Additionally, students could include charts, graphs, or visual aides to make their points even more persuasive.

Finally, after editing and revising their drafts, have students present their letters (or speeches) and follow up with a discussion regarding the outcomes in class.

Not only will you have students motivated to write, but they will become much better persuasive writers because of the extremely personal and meaningful purpose behind their writing. Plus, maybe you can get something tangible for your model writing!

 

Download the instruction sheets above and grading rubrics for my persuasive letter writing exercises now!

 

 

 

Writing Standard 1. Write arguments to support claims, using valid reasoning and evidence
Writing Standard 2. Write informative/explanatory texts through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Writing Standard 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
Writing Standard 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate
Writing Standard 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, etc.
Writing Standard 10. Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
 
Speaking & Listening Standard 1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations
Speaking & Listening Standard 2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats
Speaking & Listening Standard 3. Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Speaking & Listening Standard 4. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow.
Speaking & Listening Standard 5. Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data
Speaking & Listening Standard 6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks
Language Standard 1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Language Standard 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge