We
just finished a great project! Pet Rocks are back and trending in classroom B-5!
I saw
a blog post from a teacher who had all her students make pet rocks and bring
them into the classroom. Her students wrote why one would like a pet rock. I thought
this was a great idea and wanted to try it out in my own class.
We too
were starting our Persuasive Writing Unit. I thought if the students had the
opportunity to experience something themselves it would make their writing even
better!
I collaborated
with another Kindergarten Teacher and here is how we organized our writing
unit.
Day 1:
Introduce Pet Rocks
I
showed pictures and allowed the students to “research” the different ways they
could decorate their pet rock.
**Each
student had a long weekend to gather a rock and decorate it like his or her researched
plan. Then, they brought it to school with an empty box for the Pet Rock’s house.
Day 2:
Discuss where our Pet Rocks will live while at school?
The
students drew and made plans on the Pet Rock’s houses. They drew beds, tables,
chairs, couches, even televisions.
Day
3-4: Build and Decorate Pet Rock Homes
I went
to the Scrap Box and got different recycled items for the students to use in
the houses. They were so deliberate and clever in their thinking of where to
put the various items.
The
students even thought about “community places”. They added a Pet Rock Police
Station, Pet Rock Fire Station, Pet Rock Daycare and Play Center, Pet Rock
Movie Theater, and even a Pet Rock Pool!
Day 5:
Pet Rock Profiles
Each
student wrote about their Pet Rock’s personality - what they like/dislike,
favorite food, favorite color, and birthday. I took a picture of each pet rock
for the students to add to their Pet Rock Profile page. These profiles were
attached to the houses.
Day 6:
Writing on Why or Why Not you should get a Pet Rock?
The
students made a list of the reasons why you would want a Pet Rock. (No one said
they didn’t want a Pet Rock…yay!)
The list was great and very convincing…
Some
highlights:
Pet Rocks are free.
They won’t bite.
They will listen without interrupting
you.
They can help you do your homework.
You can make a whole Pet Rock Family!
Day 7:
Continue convincing others through our writing.
We
wanted to invite administrators and people involved in our school to see the
Pet Rocks. I explained to my students they would have to write letters inviting
and convincing these guests to come to our classroom to see the Pet Rocks.
On Day
8, 9, 10: The students wrote their letters using similar reasons from before on
why you should come to our classroom to see our Pet Rocks. I “mailed” the
letters and made sure we would have some visitors.
Day
11: Pet Rock Posters
Each
student made a poster, “advertising” why Pet Rocks are the best. They used
these in their presentations on Day 15.
Day 12
& 13: Pet Rock Songs
Every
student wrote and recorded a song (on their ipads using the camera app) about
their pet rock. These were so fun to listen to! (It was an added entertainment
for our guests too).
Day
14: Final Review and Presentation Practice
We
talked about how to be a good presenter. We went over what we would/should say to
convince others to get a Pet Rock.
Day
15: Pet Rock Presentations
We had
many guests visit our classroom. The students each had a station where they
showed their Pet Rocks, the Pet Rock Homes, Profiles, and Posters. They
explained to their guests why you would want a Pet Rock! And as the extra
bonus, each student shared his or her pet rock song. ;)
This
really was a great unit! I enjoyed teaching it while and my students enjoyed their
learning. I would say Pet Rock Persuasion worked. We convinced others to get Pet Rocks and
the students learned so much!
