Teaching kids persuasive writing for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) can be a rewarding and important process. It’s essential to equip students with the skills to develop strong arguments and present them clearly.

Here’s the next three steps for parents on how to help their kids succeed with persuasive writing:

7. Peer Review and Revision

• Teach your child how to self-edit and revise their work.
• Have them review their essays for clarity, grammar, and organization. They can ask themselves:
  • Does my thesis statement make sense?
  • Have I supported my arguments with evidence?
  • Are my ideas presented logically?
• Encourage peer reviews by having them exchange essays with a friend or family member for feedback.

8. Modeling Persuasive Writing

• Parents can model persuasive writing by creating their own essays or letters on topics of interest.
• Write a letter to a local official, school, or family member expressing an opinion, using persuasive techniques. Show the kids how you support your opinion with clear reasons and evidence.

9. Create Practice Prompts

• Use CAASPP-style prompts to give your child practice. Some examples:
  • “Do you think students should have longer recess? Why or why not?”
  • “Should the use of cell phones be allowed in schools? Provide reasons for your answer.”
• Allow them time to brainstorm, outline, and then write a complete essay

Next week we’ll continue talking about the steps to help your child succeed with testing.

Happy prepping!