A step-by-step guide to Benchmark Day Four

1. Grade 4 – Day 4

2. OBJECTIVES
Students will:
Practice reading their selected books
independently and filling in their reading log.

3. The author in our read-aloud book wanted to
convince the audience to _______________.
The author was passionate about the topic he
wrote about. What might be some other
topics a writer might have a very strong
opinion about?

4. Let’s look at this idea about school uniforms.
What would be some benefits, or pros, to having
uniforms in school? What are some challenges, or
cons? Who is impacted by the decision to have
school uniforms? Are there any other
perspectives we need to consider? Who might our
audience be for our writing today? Would it make
sense to write a picture book about school
uniforms? Considering our audience, would it be
better to write a letter?

5. Topic: School Uniforms (for)
 Opinion: School uniforms would be very
beneficial for students, parents, and
administrators.
 Reason 1: Uniforms would reduce the time
it takes to decide what to wear to school in
the morning.
 Reason 2: Popularity would not be an issue
because all students would be dressed the
same.
 Reason 3: Administrators would not have
students coming to the office for dress code.
 Opinion: School uniforms offer many
benefits to all members of the community.
Topic: School Uniforms (against)
 Opinion: School uniforms should not
be required at Hamilton TK-8.
 Reason 1: School uniforms are
expensive.
 Reason 2: Uniforms do not allow
students to express their personalities.
 Reason 3: Uniforms would require
parents to do more laundry.
 Opinion: There are many challenges
to requiring uniforms in school.

6. Think about which letter you think
we should write. Tomorrow, we will
vote on whether to write a letter for
school uniforms or against them.

7. We are going to take some time to make a
list of writing ideas. We have a pretty good
list already on the board, and I am guessing
you have quite a few other ideas, too. You
may use some of the ideas from out list and
any others you may be thinking about.
Label your paper “Persuasive Writing Ideas”
and begin a list of ideas that could make
good opinion writing piece.