Pet Rock Persuasion

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!