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Lobsters Activity Book

School: East End Community School

City/State: Portland, ME

Grade(s): 2

Format(s): Children's book: Coloring

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

Project Overview

2nd grade students from the East End Community School in Portland, Maine created this activity and coloring book for children eating with their families at a local seafood restaurant. The book was part of a learning expedition on lobsters, which in addition to being an interesting species, is also a foundation of the local economy.

During their Learning expedition, students studied lobsters via fieldwork which included work with local experts: scientists, lobstermen, lobster wholesalers and restaurant staff.

Students combined typical restaurant-style keep-your-kids-busy activities with descriptive information about lobsters. The content about lobsters ranges from lobster anatomy to how to catch a lobster to how to cook one.

Shown here are selections from the original.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Format is a clever idea for an authentic audience for student work – every city has restaurants that might appreciate children’s activity booklets
  • This format could be used with information related to any topic or discipline
  • A nice connection between students and local business
  • Format allows for creative display of content knowledge

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.2.2
  • I can construct a closure on the topic of an informative/explanatory text.
W.2.8
  • I can answer questions about things I’ve done or learned about.
W.3.4
  • With support from adults, I can produce writing that is appropriate to task and purpose.
L.2.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
L.2.2
  • I can use conventions to send a clear message to my reader.
L.3.6
  • I can accurately use 3rd grade academic vocabulary to express my ideas.
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