Which Pet Should We Get?? An Opinion Writing Pack!!!

Always a fun question to ask 24 second graders: 

Which pet should we get???

I have been doing this writing prompt with my class for the past two years, and every year it is by far the most fun we have writing! You can read about our adventures with this project {HERE} and {HERE} and {HERE}! Last year our class ended up getting a hermit crab, and this year I was brave enough to let them have a hamster.

Having a class pet has been one of the best things I've done. It has taught my kids responsibility (because they are the ones that have to stay after school to clean the cage- they even have this fancy schedule figured out), they are the ones that have to figure out who's taking him home on vacations and three day weekends (because I'm NOT), and they are the ones that have grown to love him (I kinda like him too...). Plus, they're the ones that have to console each other when he bites them and draws blood (because I don't- I say, "You're the ones that wanted a hamster...I wanted a fish...")

We researched each pet, learned about opinions, we gathered information, organized the information, pre wrote, drafted, and then did a final copy to try and "persuade" me to let them get a pet. Talk about authentic writing- even my reluctant writers were in this 100% from the very beginning because they were so motivated to let me get a pet. We had some great conversations about the difference between "I want a hamster cuz they are cool" and "In my opinion, I think we should get a hermit crab because they won't distract us while we're doing out work since they are such quiet creatures." 

Plus, opinion writing is one of the Common Core text types!  

Anyways, my fabulous teaching partner even created a video to share with our district about this unit. You check out the video {HERE}.

Well, after this video got out we got a TON of emails about the resources and QR codes and websites used for the project.

And I was finally able to get my act together to put it all together in one place to share! Here it is!!!

 (Don't worry- if you don't have devices to scan the QR codes. This unit can be completed successfully without the use of the QR codes since all of the internet resources are included!)

 and

Everything you'll need to do this writing project successfully with your class!!! Just click on the pictures to take you to TPT! 

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I'll give this unit away to FIVE friends that leave a comment with your favorite writing prompt you've used with your students. :) I'll use the random number generator thingy tonight when I get home! 

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!! 

And don't forget about the TPT sale coming up this week for teacher appreciation!!!!

Thanks for the cute graphic Beth! 

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Teacher Appreciation Week and A Hermit Crab

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!! 

I have a freebie all set and ready to go for you, and now I'm just waiting on my license from Scrappin' Doodles to be able to SHARE it with YOU!!!! This week was just so crazy and I couldn't find a spare minute to even think five minutes ahead. Can you, living in the moment!!! I was hoping to have the license by today but that didn't happen. So, I'm sorry and I will make sure to get the freebie posted ASAP!!!  

In other news...

I posted { here } a while back about an opinion writing project we were working on... What class pet should we get? The kids did an amazing job on their writing. I even had them type their writing into Pages on their iPods and they added pictures. Some even took it to the next level and made an iMovie about the class pet we should get. It was very exciting!!! How funny is this...

***Side note... How weird is that picture of the hamster playing golf!?!? ***

Then, to decide which pet we should get, I turned it into a behavior thingy (of course!...especially this time of the year!!!). And thanks to Rachelle at What The Teacher Wants for her super idea!!! Find it { here }. And low and behold, Team Hermit Crab won! (There was no way I was getting a hamster. No way.) So yesterday, I headed off to PetCo with Abby to pick up our class pet. Here she is, waiting in line, eating sniffing all the yummy treats. 

And I'm not sure how I feel about it.... 

It's kind of creepy. And big. And I don't really want to touch it...

I texted my mom last night...

The stinky little thing is still in it's food bowl. I'm not sure if he's stuck...? Or maybe he likes to sleep in on Sundays??? Or maybe he's having brunch. I don't know. 


I'll let you know how this whole hermit crab thing pans out...


I PROMISE I'll be back ASAP with a freebie!!! (Just waiting on that license!!! :) Have a great day blog hopping and shopping!!! I know I will!!!!

:)

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What Was I Thinking Wednesday

That's what I asked myself around 8:15 a.m. this morning...

Our writing block is first thing in the morning. I found this adorable writing idea on Pinterest...

                                                                          Source: fanaticallyfirstgrade.blogspot.com via Jana on Pinterest

And I knew I needed to adapt it to second grade! It goes perfectly with common core opinion writing!!!

I was super excited because I knew my kiddos would be so excited and super engaged with this prompt: In your opinion, which Hershey kiss is the best?

Apparently, though, I didn't think it through when I gave my 23 second graders (who are beginning to suffer from a bad case of Spring fever anyways) four, yes four, Hershey kisses at 8 o'clock in the morning....

We had to taste test them all to get our honest opinion...(I'll know better next time!!!)

At 8am people. Seriously, what was I thinking???? They were bouncing. Off. The. Walls. 

If only you could see the excitement and anticipation in their eyes...oh boy.

Once I threatened them managed to get them settled down, they did some really great writing. 

In my "Notes for next year", I wrote, DO THIS LESSON IN THE AFTERNOON...Preferably 10 minutes before dismissal!!!

Thanks to Johanna

for the adorable (and very exciting) writing idea! :)

How was your Wednesday!!!??? 

:-) 

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