A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea - CCSS Persuasive Writing Activity

It seems impossible. How can a pig parade be a terrible idea?! However, Ian Michael Black is very persuasive in his book with the same title. I love using children's literature to springboard writing concepts with my third graders all the way up to my AP Lit students. After reading this story, I use this bundle to teach the concept of persuasive writing. Through a series of steps (baby steps!) students will analyze the story to find that while wildly funny, it is actually just a persuasive statement supported (excellently) by five pieces of strong evidence, causing even a pig-lover like myself to believe that a pig parade is, indeed, a terrible idea. The end result will be a five paragraph persuasive essay. I have used this with great success beginning at grade three all the way up through high school. I have used this unit with gifted students as well as with special education students. Your unit will contain:

*title page

*instruction page

*reading comprehension questions

*evaluation of the author's argument and presentation of evidence

*analysis of a counter argument

*arguments and refutations

*the building of a persuasive statement and the gathering of evidence

*choosing and narrowing down evidence

*the building of an introductory paragraph

*turning evidence into body paragraphs

*how to drive it home: the conclusion paragraph

*a form for the final product

** During this time when we are out of school and engaging with our students online and in a distance learning capacity, you may distribute my products to you students using the internet (but not in a way so that they are available to EVERYONE on the internet) Ex: Google Classroom is fine!**

Feel free to use the entire unit or simply what pertains to your needs. Feel free to message me with questions/concerns.

Thank you!!!