Turning your observations into a paragraph....
We have spent several days observing animal pictures, video clips and even real crayfish! Now I wanted the kids to turn their observations into a paragraph - an integrated writing experience. (We used the photo cards from the Variations and Adaptations kit from Seeds of Science and lesson 2.5. )
First we introduced a claim statement: A ------------------- has many adaptations that help it survive in it's habitat. That would become our topic sentence for our paragraph.
Then we brainstormed three adaptations for each animal and how it helps them survive.
And then we talked about closing statements - need to wrap it up and stay on topic.
Next the students wrote and illustrated a paragraph that I could then grade for composing, written expression and usuage and mechanics as well as science content.
Here are some samples:
First we introduced a claim statement: A ------------------- has many adaptations that help it survive in it's habitat. That would become our topic sentence for our paragraph.
Then we brainstormed three adaptations for each animal and how it helps them survive.
And then we talked about closing statements - need to wrap it up and stay on topic.
Next the students wrote and illustrated a paragraph that I could then grade for composing, written expression and usuage and mechanics as well as science content.
Here are some samples:
