Plant-ivism! Using Persuasive Techniques to Add Greenery to Your Community, Grades 4-5
Writing that Changes the World, One Green Space at a Time
8 class sessions, 1.5 hours per class (12 hours of instruction)
January 14 - March 4
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. PST
Course Description:
Persuasive writing is a powerful tool for students to master because it allows them to communicate ideas clearly, support claims with evidence, and make a real-world impact. Students will have the opportunity to explore how green spaces improve communities while researching and writing a detailed proposal for a local garden or greenery initiative. Dynamic writing instruction will strengthen students’ abilities to construct strong arguments, use evidence effectively, and communicate ideas with confidence. We will be taking a deep dive into persuasive techniques, research strategies, and structured writing practices that produce professional, impactful work.
Course Objectives:
Instructor Biography:
Mr. Carranza was a fellow of the UCI Writing Project Summer Institute in 2021. He teaches English and Journalism at Jefferson Middle School in the San Gabriel Unified School District. After earning a BA in Literature at Cal State Long Beach, he went on to earn an MA in English at Claremont Graduate University where he learned the value of cross-curricular work. He believes strongly in centering students’ own experiences and voices in their learning and the lasting impact that their stories can bring.
Persuasive writing is a powerful tool for students to master because it allows them to communicate ideas clearly, support claims with evidence, and make a real-world impact. Students will have the opportunity to explore how green spaces improve communities while researching and writing a detailed proposal for a local garden or greenery initiative. Dynamic writing instruction will strengthen students’ abilities to construct strong arguments, use evidence effectively, and communicate ideas with confidence. We will be taking a deep dive into persuasive techniques, research strategies, and structured writing practices that produce professional, impactful work.
Course Objectives:
- Write persuasive essays that clearly state an opinion and provide strong reasons supported by facts and evidence
- Research and gather information to support arguments and ideas
- Organize writing logically so that ideas flow clearly from one point to the next
- Revise and edit writing to make it more precise, persuasive, and effective
Instructor Biography:
Mr. Carranza was a fellow of the UCI Writing Project Summer Institute in 2021. He teaches English and Journalism at Jefferson Middle School in the San Gabriel Unified School District. After earning a BA in Literature at Cal State Long Beach, he went on to earn an MA in English at Claremont Graduate University where he learned the value of cross-curricular work. He believes strongly in centering students’ own experiences and voices in their learning and the lasting impact that their stories can bring.