Environmental Charter School 2nd Grade Persuasive Writing Project: Section 2C (Mrs. Shupak & Ms. Catello)

Between March 7th and March 20th, SLB worked with 72 second graders at The Environmental Charter School at Frick Park as we used the tools of radio broadcasting to sharpen self-expression and persuasive writing. This page contains work written and recorded by Section 2C. Additional pages contain work for Sections 2A and 2B.  Special thanks to Shannon Shupak, Carly Catello, Amy Lassiter, Diane Karichko, Joseph Burke and Nikole Sheaffer (Environmental Charter School) and Matt Luskey (Western Pa. Writing Project).

Day 1. Mini-Autobiographies

After learning about the proper use of microphones, students learned about digital recording and more about each other by writing and recording a short autobiography.

Day 2.Friendship Commercials

Building upon the writing and speaking skills acquired in Day 1, each student wrote and recorded a commercial advertising why he or she would be a good friend using the OREO writing method — Opinion, Reason, Example/Explanation, Opinion.

Day 3. Town Hall Meeting Summary

Based on the persuasive writing skills developed on Day 2, students broadened their focus from themselves to the world in preparation for writing a powerful public service announcement encouraging adults to adopt more responsible environmental behavior. We began with a town hall meeting to identify behaviors to encourage.

Days 4 and 5. Persuasive Editorials

Each student selected a behavior or issue generated during the Town Hall meeting, after which they wrote and recorded a PSA designed to persuade adults to change their behavior toward the environment.