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Colorado Fish Field Guide Poster

School: Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning

City/State: Falcon, CO

Grade(s): 1, 2

Format(s): Poster: Informational

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

Project Overview

First and second-grade students at the Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning in Falcon, Colorado researched specific freshwater fish within the Colorado area. They investigated and wrote about their habitats, their feeding habits, and their physical adaptations. Students worked through the writing process to create a cohesive paragraph about their Colorado freshwater fish to create a kid-friendly fish field guide.

Students then studied different physical attributes of their fish and began drawing their specific fish in stages until they were able to complete the entire drawing of their fish. After completing several peer critiques and many drafts, they completed their realistic sketches of their Colorado fish.

The paragraph and sketch were then pieced together to create a guide that was submitted to the Colorado Department of Wildlife to share with children.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Excellent example of the value of multiple drafts and peer feedback
  • Final product is artistically pleasing and shows the value of detailed work
  • Good example of a product that fulfills a genuine need by targeting a specific audience

Relevant Resources

Pond Life Posters
Save Our Water

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
RL.1.1
  • I can answer questions about details in a literary text.
RL.2.2
  • I can determine the important message, lesson or moral in a story.
RL.2.10
  • I can read above-grade literary texts with scaffolding and support.
RI.1.1
  • I can answer questions about details in informational text.
RI.1.2
  • I can retell details in an informational text.
RI.1.4
  • I can answer questions about unknown words and phrases in informational texts.
RI.1.5
  • I can use text features to find important facts in informational text.
RI.1.6
  • I can compare and contrast the facts from words and pictures in informational texts.
RI.1.10
  • With support, I can read first grade informational texts.
RI.2.1
  • I can answer questions to show what I learned in an informational text.
RI.2.2
  • I can identify the main idea of a multi-paragraph informational text.
RI.2.3
  • I can describe the connection between events, ideas or concepts in an informational text.
RI.2.4
  • I can find the meaning of words and phrases in 2nd grade informational texts.
RI.2.7
  • I can explain how images help a reader make meaning from informational texts. (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works)
RI.2.10
  • I can read above-grade informational texts with scaffolding and support.
W.1.2
  • I can include an ending to my informational text.
W.1.5
  • With support from adults, I can revise my writing by adding details.
W.1.6
  • With support from adults, I can use digital tools to publish my writing.
W.1.7
  • I can participate in shared research projects.
W.1.8
  • With support from adults, I can answer questions about things I’ve done or learned about.
W.2.2
  • I can construct a closure on the topic of an informative/explanatory text.
W.2.5
  • With support, I can strengthen my writing through editing.
W.2.6
  • With support, I can use digital tools to publish my writing.
W.2.7
  • I can participate in shared research projects.
W.2.8
  • I can answer questions about things I’ve done or learned about.
SL.1.1
  • I can participate in small and larger group conversations with peers and adults about 1st grade topics and texts.
SL.1.2
  • I can answer questions to show what I know about a text or information that has been read aloud or shown to me.
SL.1.3
  • I can answer questions to show what I know after listening to a speaker.
SL.1.4
  • I can describe people, places, things, and events with appropriate details.
SL.1.5
  • I can use drawings or other visual displays to help me express myself.
SL.1.6
  • I can speak in complete sentences.
SL.2.1
  • I can participate in small and larger group conversations with peers and adults about 2nd grade topics and texts.
SL.2.2
  • I can describe key ideas or details about a text or information that has been read aloud or shown to me.
SL.2.3
  • I can answer questions to show what I know when listening to a speaker.
SL.2.4
  • I can tell a story or describe an experience using facts and details.
SL.2.6
  • I can speak in complete sentences.

Additional Standards

  • CO Life Science1.1, 2.1, CO Life Science 1.2, 2.2
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