Today we launched our unit by making a connection towards how people can use writing to think about stuff and to get others to think about stuff as well- the stuff might be a collection. We discussed what collections are. For homework- each student generated a long list of all the things they collect at home or items they like/LOVE to play with. The next day they had to judge their own collections. This was tough work!  They went through their lists and chose one of their most favorite collections. They then had an open discussion with a peer about why this was the best one and why!

The teaching point of the mini-lesson was how people who know a lot about something-like people who keep collections- often think, "Which is my favorite? Which is next?" And people who write and talk to tell others about their opinions try to convince others about their opinions!

By the end of our Persuasive/Opinion unit our pieces will include the following components:

• Realistic
• A STRONG beginning (hook, question, statement)
• Evidence ( 2 to 3 reasons why)
• Feelings (appeal to feelings and emotions)
• Solution (what will make them happy)
• Butter Up (something true and makes them feel good)
• Cool Closing & Signature ( the LAST thing they will read)

As first grade readers in our NEW third unit of study, we have important jobs! We need to read harder and harder books! And we have been learning that there is something even more special about having reading jobs: WE ARE THE BOSS! WE’RE in charge of our own reading, not anyone else!

On Monday we put our hands up--and got ready to work! We learned that when readers are the boss of their reading, one of their jobs is to STOP at the first sign of trouble. Then they say, “I can solve this! I can try something, using all that I know.”

Check out our new post-its for this new strategy!