All About Books: Animal Research and Nonfiction Writing Lynnae 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:  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:  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-  Science Kids:  Book: Wolves  Brainy Bits book