Last week, we began a new writing unit. So far this year, we have written small moments, where we share an experience with others in a narrative form, we have written informational books, where we have spent time teaching others about a particular subject, and last week, we began opinion writing where students are forming ideas about an object/topic and thinking about how to convince their readers to think like them. Much time was spent this week learning and understanding that we all have different beliefs, interests, and favorites - for particular reasons. This unit will get students to think more deeply, develop persuasion in their writing, and develop skills to help them provide reasoning to their thinking.
Last week, students learned how to look at objects closely, compare a number of different traits, and then choose which one was their favorite. Students learned that before they choose their favorite, they had to provide evidence of why it was their favorite. Acting as a "judge" students set out with a collection (ex. trains, coins, dinosaurs, horses, cars, rocks), and lined them up as if they were in a "dog show." Students examined the objects closely before setting off to write their thinking on which object would get first place. Some students extended their thinking, going on to explain who received 2nd place, 3rd place, etc while providing their opinion of why it did.
As students tried to convince their readers, they also had to think about introducing their writing, giving their writing a closing, and finding even more ways to get their readers to think like them. Today, we're even learning about how to quote experts - who can help make our reading stronger!
Can sound make vibrating materials move? That was the question our scientists posed last week. To test this out, students used their voice to make salt "jump" on a plastic covered bowl. INQUIRE with your child what their "conclusions" were. 
