“We Hope We Have Convinced You…”

Persuasive Writing by the Generous Jaguars and Rockin’ Redwoods
 
 
This spring the second graders learned to write compelling, persuasive arguments, building on their opinion writing skills from previous years. They wrote letters to parents, teachers, and others, with presentations accompanied by slideshows, posters and models. Many letters were addressed to that perceived gatekeeper of marvelous possibilities at Village, the Great and Powerful Oz — oops, we mean Principal David.

Topics ranged from global concerns (a plea to President Trump to protect our National Parks) to the local, simple and practical (convincing Mr. Chris that his classroom really, really needs a new pencil sharpener).

While these wishes may or may not be granted (stay tuned), students presented their arguments with passion, skill and heart.
 

Protect Our National Parks
April 18th 2017

Dear President Trump,

I am concerned about all the money you took away from the National Parks. They are special and help kids learn about nature when they visit them. If you don’t help nature we could all die. They are beautiful and we should take care of them so they stay beautiful. If we don’t take care of them they will disappear. Glacier National Park is already disappearing because our earth is getting hot. National Parks have some stuff that no other places have and if that gets destroyed there will be no more of that special stuff left. We need to protect our National Parks!

Sincerely,
Patrick F.
2nd Grade
Village School
825 West Parr Ave.
Campbell CA, 95008

Pool at Village School
Dear Principal David,

I think that we should have a pool at school. To begin with we can have triathlons at school. Triathlons are good for your health. Another reason is that we can have a swim class at school. Then kids will know how to swim and they won’t drown. In addition, we can cool off on a hot hot day. We won’t get overheated if we have a pool. You can get dehydrated if you are overheated. That is why it would be good to have a pool at Village School.

From,
Jack R.

View Jack’s Letter

Request for Brother to Visit from College More
Dear Jake,

I think that it would be a really good idea for you to visit more. I have several reasons for thinking this, my first is mom makes really good smoothies and I know you can’t resist a home cooked meal, another reason is that we go on a bunch of family trips and have family fun, another reason is that we lounge by the pool. To sum it up I think we should have more family time.

Love,
Macy

View Macy’s Letter

Pokemon Cards at School
4/27/17

Dear Mr. David,

I believe that Pókemon cards should be allowed at school, to begin with, we can sell them and make ads so people will buy them. On the other hand, we can learn math skills by adding the money we get. I will run the store, the store is near the gate. My final point is we can learn to manage a business. I hope I have convinced you that we should have Pókemon Card at school.

Sincerely,
Naomi B.

View Naomi’s Letter

New Pencil Sharpener for Our Classroom

View Letter
4-26-2017

Dear Mr. Chris,

In my opinion, it would be better if we had a new pencil sharpener since our recent one is horrible. I think that is a good option because it would be easier for the group leaders to sharpen pencils. It would also help by not wasting as much pencils. My last reason for saying that we need a new pencil sharpener is so that we don’t have to waste a quarter of our work time looking for sharp pencils. So please consider before moving on.

Sincerely,

Dillon W.

View Dillon’s Letter

Pool at Village School
Tuesday April 25, 2017

Dear Principal David,

I believe that we should have a pool in village school. I have several reasons for thinking this, my first being we could have a pool party, on the other hand if we did not have a pool we will have nothing to do. How can we help to get $ for the pool, we can sell ice cream and balls and candy. If we had a pool party we can get exercise. On a hot day the pool cools us off. It’s fun! I hope I have convinced you.

Yours truly,

Mina

View Mina’s Letter

Parkour Gym at Village School
April 27, 2017
Dear Principal David,I believe that we should have a parkour gym at Village School. I have several reasons for thinking this, my first being that doing parkour will make you stronger. By jumping over things and jumping over tall walls we would get better and better at doing it. Parkour will help us be calm. Running, jogging, and exercising will make us calm because it is a movement break. I also feel that you should get some exercise too. Principal David, teachers, and parents can use it too. We should build it on the field and build a fence to keep Capri away. These are the reasons why we need a parkour gym.

Love,
Facundo

View Facundo’s Letter

A New Puppy
Dear Mom and Dad,

I think that getting a puppy is a really good idea. It seems to me that a puppy would be good for the whole family. A puppy would be good for the family because it would create more family time.

Another reason is that the puppy could make me more responsible. The puppy could make me more responsible because I would have to clean up after it and take care of it which would make me more responsible.

In addition a puppy would make me happy. A puppy would make me happy because it would spread joy throughout the days I have it.

I think I have shown that getting a puppy is a good idea.

Love,
Aubrina

View Aubrina’s Letter

Hamster as Pet

By Brooklyn

Fashionista Camp

By Rehane

Hawaii Vacation

By Gigi

A Class Pet

By Chad