The Important Book
Instructional Activity for creating e-book using The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Introduction
As we reflect on what we learned in science in 2nd grade, we will gather information that has been collected throughout the year in their science notebooks. Using a patterned writing format, students will transfer their learning in an ebook format. This book will be created by using Little Bird Tales.
Students
This lesson is designed for second grade students, ages 7-8.
Timeline
The lessons for this project will take place over 7 days but more days may be needed to individualize their own books.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
Common Core 2nd Grade Standards
Reading, Writing, and Communicating
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.6
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8
Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.9
Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2
Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Materials
Grouping Strategies
Students will work independently, with a peer editor and as a group
Learning Activities
Students will read through their science notebooks and review material covered with the teacher in a class discussion.
Teacher will guide students each day, in a whole group setting, small groups and individually each day. Students will be reminded how to find the main idea of their topic to determine what is important and then to use supporting details for the body of each page.
Teacher will share the project's rubric with students, discuss each point, and ask them to determine what kind of grade they think they deserve and why. Children may want to make some changes to their writing at this time. Allowing for corrections is always an option for them.
Students will log in to Little Bird Tales on individual computers in the computer lab and work independently on the completion of the task. Teacher will monitor and be available for individual guidance.
(Teacher needs to upload usernames and passwords to Little Bird Tales.com. Teacher will need to show students how to save their appropriate searched images that correlate with their topic OR teacher will need to show students how to use the art pad to draw pictures themselves.)
Assessment
Teacher will assess e-book using the The Important Book rubric
Adaptations for Learners with Special Needs
For students that need more support, a volunteer working in small group setting can help discuss and pinpoint their important topics to write about in their template. Speech-to-text software can be utilized to assist with students that require assistance typing. Partnering struggling students with higher-functioning students or parent volunteers to complete the tasks is possible.
As we reflect on what we learned in science in 2nd grade, we will gather information that has been collected throughout the year in their science notebooks. Using a patterned writing format, students will transfer their learning in an ebook format. This book will be created by using Little Bird Tales.
Students
This lesson is designed for second grade students, ages 7-8.
Timeline
The lessons for this project will take place over 7 days but more days may be needed to individualize their own books.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- gather prior learning knowledge from their science notebooks
- determine a main idea or important point from their learned knowledge
- write their main idea or important point then add details that support that point, using a pattern writing template
- insert their patterned text into ebook.
- insert images into ebook
- visually and orally present their ebook to a group of their peers
Common Core 2nd Grade Standards
Reading, Writing, and Communicating
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.6
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8
Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.9
Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2
Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Materials
- Pattern format of writing template
- Document camera
- Student Science Notebooks
- Self/peer editing checklist
- Ipads
- The Important Book Writing Rubric
Grouping Strategies
Students will work independently, with a peer editor and as a group
Learning Activities
Students will read through their science notebooks and review material covered with the teacher in a class discussion.
- Day 1 - Teacher reads and discusses with students the pattern of story, the main idea and supporting detail of each page.
- Day 2 - Students will read their science journal and brainstorm all topics covered this year - Teacher will record topics on class chart
- Day 3 - Teacher will reread The Important Book and then will model using the pattern template how to take a topic that we learned about in science on our class chart and complete the template by writing. Students will then pick a topic from the class chart (science topics) and verbally tell a partner which one they picked and three other detailed facts about the topic of choice.
- Day 4 - Students will begin writing on their patterned template topic and details from day before.
- Day 5 - Day 6 Students will continue this process of verbally picking various topics and discussing them, then writing them out on patterned template until 4 pages have been completed.
- Day 7 - Using the self/peer editing checklist - all children will partner up and edit each others 4 pages - following the form and using the checkmarks
- Day 8 - Using the self/peer editing checklist - all children will self edit their own work
- Day 8 - 10 Students, with help of a volunteer will enter their writing content into LittleBirdTales.com - Those that are not typing will draw pictures of their topics. As this continues, the goal would be to have all information entered into a book for each child with their own pictures uploaded per page.
Teacher will guide students each day, in a whole group setting, small groups and individually each day. Students will be reminded how to find the main idea of their topic to determine what is important and then to use supporting details for the body of each page.
Teacher will share the project's rubric with students, discuss each point, and ask them to determine what kind of grade they think they deserve and why. Children may want to make some changes to their writing at this time. Allowing for corrections is always an option for them.
Students will log in to Little Bird Tales on individual computers in the computer lab and work independently on the completion of the task. Teacher will monitor and be available for individual guidance.
(Teacher needs to upload usernames and passwords to Little Bird Tales.com. Teacher will need to show students how to save their appropriate searched images that correlate with their topic OR teacher will need to show students how to use the art pad to draw pictures themselves.)
Assessment
Teacher will assess e-book using the The Important Book rubric
Adaptations for Learners with Special Needs
For students that need more support, a volunteer working in small group setting can help discuss and pinpoint their important topics to write about in their template. Speech-to-text software can be utilized to assist with students that require assistance typing. Partnering struggling students with higher-functioning students or parent volunteers to complete the tasks is possible.