Informational Writing

This week we started to learn about informational writing. My class LOVES nonfiction so I knew they would be excited about this unit of study. Finally, they get to write about animals, plants or weather!! 

We are learning about Ladybugs.

Our class project was to write about Ladybugs. We created the RAN chart above (Tony Stead/Linda Hoyt). We shared our thinking on a Voice Thread about Ladybugs. We went on a great Ladybug site that gave us lots of information. I actually learned many things I didn't know about ladybugs. We read some great books about Ladybugs.

Anchor Chart

I love how this anchor chart came out! All of the illustrations are made by the kids. Whenever possible I always want to see something made by kids rather than store bought! For the last week, we have been learning all of the things above. 

In the past, I have always made it optionally for kids to write ALL About books (Lucy Calkins). This year I kept the model from Explorations and had all the kids work on a Group Write.
Quick Thought
 I decided to provide more scaffolding for students for the class write. You will see below that I created a template that made it easier for kindergartner. It made it MUCH easier for the group!! 

Ladybugs eat aphids.

Can kindergartner's write a table of contents on their own? YES YES!!

I put a blank page after the cover.
The kids did great with this task of adding the Table of Contents after the book was put together.
 I LOVE the kid writing!

labeling your ladybug

 Ladybugs can be different colors.

 Ladybugs get together in the winter.

 Ladybugs can be fun and when you be quiet they come.

 Ladybugs can bite it can be painful.

 Ladybugs are poisonous.

When ladybugs are young they are larva.

Next steps, students are working on their own informational book. We will use some Thinking maps to gather information. I can't wait to share next week.

click here for Ladybug report
Fonts by KG (pg 1-6)
Frame from My Cute Graphics