Monday, April 20, 2015

Writing Activity


Activity: Students will research an insect of their choice, write a paper covering the details of their insect, and create a visual aid using some form of technology (power point, prezi, blogger, etc.)
Accommodations for Diverse Learners: 
Students will receive a list of resources where they can find information on their insect.
Johns’ Text:  Yes or No
If “No,” source is:
No
Tricia Busch
Used Before:  Yes or No
No
Reference(s):
Dahl, R. (1996). James and the Giant Peach. New York: Knopf.
Technology Integration: 
Students will create a digital visual aid.

Assessment:
Formative Assessment: 
Keep track of students’ daily work.
Accommodations for Diverse Learners: 
Pull students for one-on-one writing conferences.
Summative Assessment:
Students will write a research paper on their insect.
Accommodations for Diverse Learners: 
Students will receive a list of resources where they can find information on their insect.

Iowa/ COMMON CORE LITERACY STANDARD(S)
Writing Standards
Production and Distribution of Writing
·         W.5.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
Range of Writing
·         W.5.10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Iowa/ COMMON CORE CONTENT STANDARD(S)
SCIENCE
Life Science
·         S.3–5.LS.1 Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand and apply knowledge of organisms and their environments, including:
-          Structures, characteristics, and adaptations of organisms that allow them to function and survive within their habitats.
-          How individual organisms are influenced by internal and external factors.
-          The relationships among living and non–living factors in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Science as Inquiry
·         S.3–5.SI.2 Essential Concept and/or Skill: Recognize that scientists perform different types of investigations. Types of investigations include describing objects, events, and organisms; classifying them; and doing a fair test (experimenting), depending on the types of questions they want to answer.

Technology Literacy
·         21.3–5.TL.2 Essential Concept and/or Skill: Use interactive technologies in a collaborative group to produce digital presentations or products in a curricular area.

Introduction: 10 points
 Describe the characteristics of an insect.
 What is the name of the insect you have chosen?
 Why did you choose the insect that you did?

Body 30 points
 What is the life cycle of your critter?
 What does your critter look like?
 Where is it found (habitat)?
 What does it eat or who eats it? (Niche)
 What kind of lifestyle or lifecycle does it have?
 About how long do they survive?
 Why is it important to life on earth?
 Is it a pest or beneficial?

Conclusion10 points
 What are this critters' prospects, is it endangered?
 How do humans affect this organism?
 What was the most interesting fact or facts you learned about your insect?

Visual Aid 25 points