Lesson Plan: Persuasive Writing on the Book “Wonder”

Introduction: - Begin the lesson by asking the students if they have ever read the book “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. - Show the book cover and briefly explain the plot and main characters. - Explain that today’s lesson will focus on persuasive writing, where they will have the opportunity to express their opinions and persuade others using evidence from the book.

Lesson Outline: 1. Warm-up Activity (5 minutes): - Show a short video clip related to the theme of kindness and empathy, such as “Random Acts of Kindness” or “The Power of Empathy.” - Discuss the importance of kindness and empathy in our daily lives and how it relates to the book “Wonder.”

1. Introduction to Persuasive Writing (10 minutes):
   • Define persuasive writing as a form of writing that aims to convince the reader to agree with a particular point of view.
   • Discuss the purpose of persuasive writing and its relevance in everyday life.
   • Provide examples of persuasive writing, such as advertisements, opinion articles, or persuasive speeches.
2. Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in “Wonder” (15 minutes):
   • Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a worksheet that includes excerpts from the book “Wonder.”
   • Instruct the students to read the excerpts and identify persuasive techniques used by the author, such as emotional appeal, rhetorical questions, or evidence-based arguments.
   • After completing the worksheet, have each group share their findings with the class.
3. Developing Persuasive Arguments (15 minutes):
   • Distribute a graphic organizer worksheet to each student.
   • Instruct the students to choose a character from the book “Wonder” and think about a persuasive argument related to that character.
   • Encourage them to use evidence from the book to support their argument.
   • Provide support and guidance as needed.
4. Differentiation: Group Discussions (10 minutes):
   • Divide the class into smaller groups based on their writing abilities.
   • Assign each group a specific topic related to the book “Wonder” and persuasive writing.
   • Provide differentiated prompts or sentence starters to support students who may need additional assistance.
   • Monitor and facilitate group discussions, ensuring that each student has an opportunity to contribute.
5. Assessment: Persuasive Writing Task (15 minutes):
   • Instruct the students to use their graphic organizer to write a persuasive paragraph or short essay on their chosen topic.
   • Emphasize the importance of using persuasive techniques and evidence from the book to support their arguments.
   • Collect and assess the students’ writing for understanding of persuasive writing techniques and their ability to effectively express their opinions.

Plenary: - Have a few students share their persuasive writing pieces with the class. - Discuss the strengths and areas for improvement in their writing. - Recap the main points covered in the lesson and highlight the importance of persuasive writing skills in expressing opinions and influencing others.

Video Resources: 1. “Random Acts of Kindness” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwz1HsdzZ4E 2. “The Power of Empathy” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

Worksheet Resources: 1. Persuasive Techniques in “Wonder” Worksheet - Example: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Persuasive-Techniques-in-Wonder-Worksheet-4156787 2. Graphic Organizer Worksheet - Example: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Persuasive-Writing-Graphic-Organizer-Worksheet-4156792