Persuasive letter to the principal: a 4th grade writing activity
What it is: a 4th grade persuasive writing activity where students write a real letter to the principal asking for a change at school (a reading nook, a longer recess, a school garden), with reasons, evidence and a polite answer to an objection.
Time: about 45 minutes. Grade: 4th grade.
Materials: a persuasive planner (request, 3 reasons with evidence, counterargument and response, closing), letter format examples, and lined paper.
- Brainstorm changes that would make the school better. Vote on 3 or 4 realistic ones.
- Model one reason with evidence: a fact, an example or a short survey of classmates.
- Students plan their letter, including one objection the principal might have and a respectful answer.
- They draft the letter in proper format with a greeting and a polite closing.
- Partners check tone and reasons. With the principal's agreement, deliver the best letters.
Differentiation: students who need support write 2 reasons with sentence starters. Students who are ready add data from a class survey. English learners can use a phrase bank: "I believe...," "One reason is...," "Some people may think..., but..."
Quick check: ask a student to read their counterargument and explain how their answer is respectful.
Need it for another grade or subject? Ask us on the request page and our team will write it.
Found this helpful? Get the week's best posts like it.
About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades 3–5
- Subject
- Writing
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.