While working on animals we also focused on informative writing. Throughout our unit we did several mini projects and one large grade-level project.
Before we could begin any of our research or projects we had to talk about different ways to classify animals. This was the anchor chart our class created:
A few days later each student was able to choose 1 of the endangered animals to do a research project on. Students worked in groups to collect facts from a variety of sources on their endangered animal. They then used their facts to create a book about their animal. The pages in their book included:
1. Title page
2. Fact pages
3. Habitat page
4. About the author page
Here are some students doing their research:
The last element in each student book was a story. After everyone had learned many facts about their animal, they then turned their animal into a fictional story. Their story had to include a beginning, middle, and ending, as well as a problem and solution. These stories were typed by the students.. and man were they proud! :)
The last part of this project was that each student in first grade was able to create a diorama of their animal. They had to display its correct habitat. Each first grade class was able to tour the Barnwell Zoo.
In writing we have a been focusing on informative writing. Each student chose a different animal to do research on. We then worked through the writing process (graphic organizer, rough draft, peer/teacher editing, illustration, and final draft) to write an informative piece about an animal. After each student finished they made a Chatterpix of their animal. Check them out here:
http://padlet.com/nolan3/2xdiga3ubph
Here are two examples:
http://padlet.com/nolan3/d6eg4psb06ke
Here are two examples:
