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Welcome to the Forest Park Zoo

School: Alice B. Beal Elementary

City/State: Springfield, MA

Grade(s): 1

Format(s): Calendar

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

Project Overview

This calendar was created by 1st grade students at the Alice B. Beal Magnet School in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was part of a learning expedition about animals.

Students, through fieldwork experiences that included multiple visits to the park and zoo, and work with animal experts there, researched, drew and wrote about animals at their local zoo. Student writing went through multiple drafts and critique sessions. Most of the word processing was done by students. Each student researched one animal and then created an illustration of that animal.

The calendar itself also functions as an events calendar for the zoo. This calendar was sold at the zoo to people who were visiting – as well as to families from the school.

This product is similar to #342 – both are from the same learning expedition but ended in a different product. As one classroom was creating a zoo guide, there wasn’t a need for the other class to do one; so this class created a calendar about the animals at the zoo.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Highlights a unique way to introduce students to the park and to the zoo. Creating a calendar gives students a purpose for their visits and a real vehicle through which to demonstrate their understanding.
  • Highlights 1st graders working on writing and drawing skills through multiple rounds of drafts and critique.
  • Notice the careful work shown in several of the illustrations: the leopards for April and August and the kangaroo for September.
  • A product that allows for a range of skill in student work – both in the drawings and the writing.
  • Highlights a product with an authentic audience.

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
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.1.7
  • I can participate in shared research projects.
W.2.2
  • I can construct a closure on the topic of an informative/explanatory text.
W.3.4
  • With support from adults, I can produce writing that is appropriate to task and purpose.
W.3.6
  • I can use technology to collaborate with others on a piece of writing.
L.1.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
L.1.2
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader.
L.1.6
  • I can speak using words I hear in books.
L.3.6
  • I can accurately use 3rd grade academic vocabulary to express my ideas.
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