All About Books:Animal Research and Nonfiction

WritingLynnae Peterson

EDTC 635

December 2014

Introduction

Target Audience: Second Grade

Subject:ELA/ Literacy

Timeline: Six Weeks for the entire writing unit

Post-It Research- Research should take one-two 90 minute reading blocks.

Online Research- Online Research should take one 40 minute technology period.

Transfer of Information- Transferring information to paper should take one-two 40 minute writing periods.

Objectives

Students will be able to: Use nonfiction text features to locate specific information

Use a search engine to research information on the computer

Conduct research and record facts specific to their chosen animal

Transfer research to create an all about book

NJ Common Core State Standards

Literacy Standards: RI.2.9 Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts

on the same topic.

RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently. 

RI.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. 

W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section. 

W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).

Technology Standards: 02.8.1.A.5 Demonstrate the ability to navigate in virtual environments that are

developmentally appropriate.

Prior to this unit, students have spend a great deal of time learning about nonfiction text features (table of contents, headings, captions, index, glossary, etc.)

For this unit, students chose one of five animals: cheetah, bat, shark, polar bear, or gorilla.

Students will complete research and write an all about book pertaining to their specific animal.

The book will include the following sections:

Physical Characteristics/ Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Family Life

Fun Facts

Introduction

Part 1: Animal Research

Collect information specific to animal from nonfiction texts (ie. Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Family Life,

Fun Facts)

Record information on Post-its Phrases and key words from text

Post-it Tracking Sheets

Click here to watch the video!

Part 1 cont’d: Online Research

Online Research- Fun Facts portion of All About Book

Using a search engine KidRex- Search engine for children Science Kids:

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals.html

Discuss the importance of key words and the use of the search bar

Click here to watch the video!

Lesson 2: Transfer Research to Book Page

Post-Its Writing Paper Complete sentences COPS Neat Handwriting

Illustration Physical Characteristics- Labeled illustration of animal Diet- illustration of food sources Habitat- illustration of animal’s home

Click here to watch the video!

Brainy Bits

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Visual- Video demonstration

Musical- Background music in the videos

Verbal- Verbal instructions provided

Logical- Using the computer; web search

Intrapersonal- Individual work

Interpersonal- Working with partner for research

Citations

Websites Used for Online Research

KidRex- http://www.kidrex.org/

Science Kids: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals.html

Book: Wolves

Brainy Bits book