Sarah Hartwell

November 9, 2016
Educ 302-303.
Statement of Faith Based Teaching and Learning
The topic for my unit plan deals with persuasive writing. Everyone has their own
opinions and views on certain topics; its a great idea for students and people to be able to
write and think persuasively. I am interning at a Christian school and have the
opportunity to share my religious beliefs openly. I am going to tie in teaching about the
Pilgrims with a Christian persuasive writing aspect in mind. When we write it is good to
keep in mind how God wants us to treat others, in persuasive writing or any argument
piece, we need to make sure that we are treating the opposing views with respect and
kindness. I want the students to be thinking throughout the unit about how their lives
compare with the lives of the Pilgrims.
Thanksgiving is around the time that I will be teaching this unit. Writing and
learning about Pilgrims with the second grade class makes sense; I will be able to explain
why the Pilgrims wanted to leave England and go to America without having to worry
about controversy or trying to beat around the bush. The Pilgrims wanted to go to
America to gain religious freedom from the King of England. The Pilgrims had asked the
King to allow them to form their own church, but he denied the Pilgrims request. They
then decided to move to Holland where religious freedom was allowed and they could
worship God as they wanted to. After living in Holland for some time the Pilgrims
decided to move to America and set sail on the Mayflower. I will be able to talk and
explain how the Pilgrims loved and served God. They wanted their religious freedom so
that they could worship Him in a way that they decided, not how a King decided because
God is our only King.

I want the students to think about what their life would be like if they lived during
the time of the Pilgrims. It is important to see how our lives compare and contrast with
the Pilgrims and to see that what God has blessed us with today. This would be a good
opportunity to use a compare and contrast type of lesson for the students. The students
will have a time to write down their thoughts about what they believe it would be like
during their Daily Five time. I want to include a type of Pilgrimage journal or picture
book for the students to make to show what life was like during that time and to also
show what they learned.
Persuasive writing gets people to think deeply about topics. This type of writing
can help get multiple viewpoints about a topic presented in a way that can either be
viewed as kind or aggressive. Some persuasive writing can be harmless, such as writing a
letter to a parent to get a pet. While other types of persuasive writing can be hurtful, such
as a written note persuading someone about a political view.
In Teaching to Change the World there is a section that talks about Social studies
and how a teacher, named Hannah Cha, taught that Thanksgiving was more than just the
picturesque scene of European pilgrims sitting at a table eating turkey with Native
Americans standing, almost hiding or blending into the background. (Teaching to
Change the World, 2013, p. 143) Her students said that the Pilgrims were immigrants
seeking a life of opportunities. The lesson described how first grader Marissa is both
learning the traditional story of Thanksgiving and developing a sense that she is not less
than but as good as first graders who are Anglo and not immigrants. (Teaching to
Change the World, 2013, p. 143). If I were in a classroom that was more diverse I think

that it would be important to teach the lesson that we are pilgrims too. I dont believe that
this view would have the same affect on my students as it did for Hannah Chas students.
I am fortunate enough to be in a Christian classroom setting where I can express
my Biblical worldview without being ashamed. I want the students to think differently
about their lives through this unit as they learn about some of the tough times that the
Pilgrims had. This persuasive writing unit will help the students be able to explore and
expand on their own opinion making process. It is key to know how to form and explain
your opinions.