Friday, March 22, 2013

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

9 comments:

  1. These are great, Melissa. That is a great way to provide them with some scaffolding for the group write. Very helpful to see this!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  2. Wow Melissa. Your kids are amazing writers and thinkers.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  3. My classroom is ladybug themed - so naturally I LOVE this idea!!! :)

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  4. Melissa, I love the anchor chart with the kids' illustrations...so much nicer than anything you could buy.
    Lyn
    Mrs. Goff's Pre-K Tales
    PS- i'm your newest follower :)

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  5. I saw a link to your blog on another blog - and I'm so glad I did! You have some great ideas that I will totally use with my kindergarten and first graders. Check me out on my new blog: http://specialedmeetsgeneraled.blogspot.com

    Adie

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  6. Thanks for the comment Adie! I will check out your blog today! Melissa

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  8. Love your ideas! I'm getting ready to begin some lady bug things with my kids. This post is very helpful! Thank you =)
    Bobbie
    The Daily Cupcake…A Kindergarten Blog

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  9. Mrs. M I have some ladybug math problems I plan to post this weekend too! Melissa

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