Teachers: 5th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Subject Area: Social Studies, American Revolution and Language Arts
Grade Level: 5th
Unit Title: The American Revolution
Lesson Title: Persuasive Writing
Overview: Students will examine the different sides of The American Revolution and select one viewpoint to write a persuasive essay about.
Connection to the Curriculum: In fifth grade, students study the American Revolution and focus on writing skills, specifically, persuasive writing.
Connection to Standards: English Language Arts Content Standards for California, Grade Five, Standard 2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics): Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive texts of at least 500 to 700 words in each genre. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0. 2.4 Write persuasive letters or compositions:
State a clear position in support of a proposal.
Support a position with relevant evidence.
Follow a simple organizational pattern.
Address reader concerns.
Materials/Equipment Required: Students will use a laptop from the school laptop cart to write their essays in class.
Objectives: Students will practice the art of persuasive writing, as well as learn more about the American Revolution.
Suggested Procedure: Students will select either the American or British vantage point in terms of the American Revolution, make a list of convincing points to support that viewpoint, prepare a sentence outline and then write a persuasive essay.
Opening: Teacher will introduce the lesson by sharing the book George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides (book review available at http://picturebooksforbigkids.blogspot.com/2011/06/george-vs-george-american-revolution-as.html) by Rosalyn Schanzer. Teacher will use a whiteboard or document camera and paper and pen to display a list of causes for the American Revolution. Teacher will add two columns, one labeled George Washington and one labeled King George. A class discussion can be used to generate each George’s point of view on the different causes of the war.
Development: Students will be asked to consider the class commentary on George and George, as well as information about the colonists and British viewpoints about the war presented in the class social studies textbook. Students will then select a side to write about in a persuasive essay.
Closing: Teacher will review format of persuasive writing. Students will first prepare a list of items to convey “their’ point of view, then write a sentence outline and finally, a persuasive essay with the goal of convincing readers that either the British or the colonists were right about the American Revolution.
Student Assessment: Student essays will be graded by the teacher based on inclusion of various elements of persuasive writing and demonstration of knowledge appropriate for grade five about the American revolution.
Extending the Lesson: Students can hold mini debates, verbally sparring with a classmate who has chosen the opposing viewpoint.
