As a teacher, it’s always a challenge to find creative and engaging ways to teach students the important skills they need to succeed in their academic and personal lives. For fifth grade teacher Ms. Karwatske at Beachland Elementary, she found a unique and meaningful way to teach her students the art of persuasive writing. By tasking her students with writing “PURRsuasive” essays about adoptable animals at the local Humane Society, she not only taught them persuasive writing skills, but also instilled in them a love for animals and a sense of compassion and responsibility for their welfare.

For many students, the prospect of writing an essay can be daunting and uninteresting, but by giving them a real-world purpose and tying it to something they care about, Ms. Karwatske was able to make the assignment more engaging and relevant to her students. By focusing on adoptable animals, she also provided her students with an opportunity to research and learn about the needs and personalities of different animals, as well as the importance of pet adoption and responsible pet ownership.

The PURRsuasive essays that the students wrote were not just academic exercises, but had a real impact on the lives of the animals at the Humane Society. By sharing their essays with the community and spreading the word about the available animals, the students helped to find homes for pets that might have otherwise remained in the shelter. This gave the students a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that they had made a real difference in the lives of these animals.

Ms. Karwatske’s innovative approach to teaching persuasive writing not only taught her students valuable skills, but also helped to instill in them a sense of empathy, responsibility, and compassion for animals. By tapping into the students’ natural love for animals, she was able to make the learning experience more meaningful and memorable. And who knows, perhaps some of her students will go on to become passionate animal advocates and make a difference in the lives of animals in their communities.

In conclusion, Ms. Karwatske’s approach to teaching persuasive writing is a wonderful example of how to make learning engaging and relevant for students. By combining their love for animals with the important skill of persuasive writing, she not only taught her students valuable skills, but also instilled in them a sense of compassion and responsibility for the welfare of animals. We could all learn a thing or two from Ms. Karwatske’s innovative approach to teaching and making a difference in the world.