LESSON SEVEN: Publish a Report Booklet
Using a research buddy, students read nonfiction texts on the subject used in Lesson Three. Student/buddy locate answers in texts to questions generated from the organizer handout completed in Lesson Three. Then they publish a report booklet. The completed booklet is assessed using the provided scoring guide.
GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
W3C Write expository text, with assistance, with a main idea and supporting details.
LESSON MATERIALS
§ Sources of Literature
o None
§ Supplies
o Sixth grade student buddy or other helper for each student
o Grade level appropriate non-fiction texts on topics of nature
o Completed student copy of “My graphic organizer about” from Lesson Three to be returned to students
o Paper for the published booklet
o Nature Detective research booklet scoring guide
§ Handouts provided
o Nature Detective research recording
o Giving Credit recording page
§ Words to know
o graphic organizer
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Remind students that Cam Jansen had a memory that would hold everything she saw or read. We probably don’t, but the Nature Detectives in this room are ready to use all the learned research strategies to do an assignment.
2. Explain the assignment. Each second grader should locate information on their chosen nature topic. Each detective writes a report on their findings.
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Strategy |
The Nature Detective assignment handout gives directions for the project. Using the writer’s workshop style, provide mini lessons and process time necessary for students to feel successful. The project’s purpose is to incorporate strategies taught in this unit using non-fiction text elements and features, forming questions and key words, and giving credit to others for ideas and images. Ongoing writing expectations are also considered. |
3. Using “My graphic organizer about” handout from Lesson Three, the student/buddy team number each of the questions on the organizer. The teacher/student may decide to add or change questions at this time and to adjust the organizer.
4. Using the Nature Detective research recording handout, answer the questions in complete sentences; ex., There are 6,800 species of reptiles on the earth.
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Idea |
Foster home/school communication with a newsletter explaining the learning unit while enlisting help from parents to find suitable texts on the student’s topic at home or in a library. |
5. As the research is finished, model the look expected of a quality booklet.
6. The steps in the writing process are followed taking the booklet to be published.
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Strategy |
At this point the teacher gives specific instructions. The completed product is considered published and should have that appearance. Future interest in research reporting will be influenced by student feelings of success regarding the Nature Detective project. Students check required items off their scoring guide and become successful researchers. |
Scoring Guide for Nature Detective Research Booklet
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4 points: Has a cover that includes the title, student name, and date published. Has at least four fact pages each containing a clear answer and an appropriate Illustration. Has a correct credit page. Uses complete sentences. Contains few errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
3 points: Has a cover page that includes title, student name and date published. Has 3-4 fact pages containing a weak fact or illustration. Has a credit page with one element missing May contain errors in grammar/usage punctuation, capitalization, spelling.
2 points: Has a cover with no all items. Has 2-3 fact pages—some unclear facts and/or illustrations. Has a credit page with more than one element missing Contains distracting errors in grammar/ usage, punctuation, spelling.
1 point: Has a cover page Has 1-2 fact pages with little information and illustrations that don’t add to text. Has a credit page with only one element Contains repeated errors in grammar/ Usage, punctuation, spelling distracting to the reader.
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Idea |
End the unit by inviting parents and guests to a Nature Detective Expo displaying research work completed and text materials used. Students share their project with the class. Guests are shown the strategies and accomplishments of second graders. |