By Ashley Roemer, 5th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Fifth grade students at HLWW Middle School completed their most recent writing project: persuasive essays. Students were encouraged to select a topic they felt strongly about. We discussed the importance of using persuasive language to grab their readers’ attention. Students brainstormed ideas, wrote a rough draft, revised their work to include appropriate transition words and persuasive statements, and finally typed their final copy to submit for grading. These writers continue to amaze me with their attention to detail and structure! In my opinion, the best part about the essays were the topics. What exactly are fifth grade students concerned about? Some essays were directly written to a parental audience—what did these topics include?
The popular topics: Many fifth grade students chose to write about school-related issues. Starting school later was a popular idea. As shared by Alayna Ford, “I think students should get more rest so that their brains will work nicely.” Getting more sleep in general was key to some students, and Sean Droneck recommends getting 12 hours each night. “Your brain will feel charged, you will feel refreshed, and you won’t feel tired if you drive,” writes Droneck. Having other lunch options available at school was important to a variety of students. These students argued for restaurants such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dairy Queen, and even a local favorite, Troubles. “Although some people believe that the school will get angry because we are not eating their food, it may actually be argued that Taco Bell is better than school’s food,” persuades Colton Long. Other students wrote about the importance of adopting animals from shelter, caring for endangered animals, riding hoverboards in school, and why television is a bad influence.
Heads up, parents! In this day and age, it should come as no surprise that many fifth graders feel they are ready to have their own cell phone or other technological device. Many students had great bargaining language to better persuade their parents to support their point of view. “If you want your kids out of your hair, get them an electronic,” writes Liam Christopherson. Other students wrote about their capabilities in taking care of a new pet. “I wouldn’t ask to play video games, instead I’d take care of the dog. I wouldn’t complain about doing it because it would be fun,” writes Landon Marketon. Another topic directed toward parents was the argument that fifth grade students should be able to drive. Most students included information about students being required to have proper training, but most felt their current experiences behind the wheel of a go-cart or four-wheeler were equivalent to licensed drivers out on the road.
Stand-alone ideas: As a teacher, it was great to see individual creativity expressed in students’ writing. One student passionately wrote about how video games are helpful, including support on how video games develop reflexes and teach about history. Another student strongly persuaded his audience why Minecraft is the best game. Nathan Dressel writes, “[Minecraft] won’t rot your brain. You don’t steal cars, shoot people, or battle zombies, like you would in Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty. This is a friendly kind of game that teaches you about trees, plants, animals, and you can even trade with villagers!”
Maya-Lily Goldschmitz wrote about the unique topic of having her very own library room. Goldschmitz shares that if she had this room, she would always have something to do at home. “I will be upstairs in my room, reading my heart out. I will only stop reading to eat, use the bathroom, maybe talking a bit, and sleeping. I just love to read!” Danita Poppler also had a stand-alone topic: why growing up on a farm helps kids later in life. “To begin with, farm kids have greater experiences than kids that live in town. Secondly, they learn life skills, like driving, that are going to help them. Finally, they’re outside a lot and get to interact with animals,” writes Poppler. Additional stand-alone topics included having a no homework day, why cell phones should be cheaper, and having robotics classes for middle school students.
With the variety of topics students chose to persuasively write about, it is no surprise that fifth grade students are capable of sharing their viewpoints and opinions. As a language arts teacher, I am proud of each student and their ability to format their writing in an organized fashion. The way students included persuasive language and well-developed arguments in their writing showed me their many writing talents and attention to directions.
