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Space Illustrated

School: Genesee Community Charter School

City/State: Rochester, NY

Grade(s): 3

Format(s): Magazine: Science

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Science and Technology, Visual Arts

Project Overview

3rd grade students from Genesee Community Charter School in Rochester, New York created this magazine as part of a three-month learning expedition on astronomy. It was written to help introduce other students to this topic.

During their exploration of astronomy, students worked with a local physicist from the University of Rochester and visited the observatory at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition to researching astronomy from multiple sources, students also kept “Sky Journals” to record their question and observations from day and night viewing of the sky.

In this culminating product, students brainstormed questions they had about astronomy – ones that deeply interested them.  Students researched the answers to their own questions and then shared their answers in their article in this magazine. The writing traits of ideas and organization guided mini-lessons as students planned and wrote their articles, and they met with teachers during multiple conferencing sessions.

The magazine also includes crossword and word search puzzles, comics, stories and instructions for astronomy projects that you can do at home. 

An earlier version of this project, called “What’s Up?” is included in this archive. See project #477. 

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.3.2
  • I can write an informative/explanatory text.
W.4.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey ideas and information clearly.
W.3.4
  • With support from adults, I can produce writing that is appropriate to task and purpose.
W.3.5
  • With support from peers and adults, I can use the writing process to plan, revise and edit my writing.
W.3.7
  • I can conduct a research project to become knowledgeable about a topic.
W.3.8
  • I can sort evidence into provided categories.
W.4.9
  • I can choose evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
L.3.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
L.3.2
  • I can use conventions to send a clear message to my reader.
L.3.3
  • I can compare how people use language when they write versus when they talk.
L.3.6
  • I can accurately use 3rd grade academic vocabulary to express my ideas.
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