Marsh Books
Second-grade writers have been writing a nonfiction book all about their marsh animal. Students have followed several important steps to create an informative and engaging piece. First, they begin by researching their chosen animal using books, articles, and teacher-approved websites to gather facts about its habitat, diet, appearance, and behaviors. As they write, they include expert words—vocabulary that real scientists and researchers use—such as “camouflage,” “predator,” or “wetlands.” They ensured that these expert words were defined so that their readers could understand them easily. Students added interesting details to help explain what makes their animal unique and why it is important in its ecosystem. Students learned that pictures and diagrams are also an essential part of their book because they help readers visualize the animal and understand the information better. Through all these steps, the students aimed to inform their readers with clear, organized facts and help them learn something new about the fascinating animals that live in the marsh.
Oysters
During our short week, second graders have continued to expand their knowledge of the oyster, including its life cycle, benefits to the community, and its importance. Students used their communication skills to work in teams to create posters to share with the community the importance of an oyster. We want second graders to become experts of the marsh and to continue to bring awareness to the marsh. These posters represent the creativity as well as show their teamwork coming together. We began a tinkering process, which gives students access to different supplies and allows students to create things from different materials. It pushes their boundaries to look at things from a different perspective.
