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Perspectives of San Diego Bay

School: High Tech High School

City/State: San Diego, CA

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Format(s): Field guide: Natural science

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

Type(s): Informative/Explanatory

Writing Assignment Description

Forty high school students from the Gary and Jerri-Ann High Tech High in San Diego, California worked with an interdisciplinary team of teachers to create a field guide to the bay.

Students were engaged in the research and production for this field guide over the course of 18 months. Students were in charge of vision, content, editing, and layout.

Scientists carefully supervised the project, and production quality of the work is indistinguishable from commercially produced guides.

How This Writing Can Be Useful

  • Demonstrates an outstanding level of sophistication for high school students
  • Excellent example of a field guide, complete with scientific classification, descriptive information and photographs
  • Exemplifies students engaged in adult-level research with an important purpose

Relevant Resources

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.9-10.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey complex ideas and concepts clearly and accurately, using content that is carefully selected, organized, and analyzed.
W.11-12.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey complex ideas and concepts clearly and accurately, using content that is carefully selected, organized, and analyzed.
W.9-10.4
  • I can produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
W.9-10.5
  • I can use the writing process to focus on what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.9-10.6
  • I can use technology to produce, publish, and update writing products that link to information and display information flexibily and dynamically.
W.11-12.4
  • I can produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
W.11-12.5
  • I can use the writing process to focus on what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6
  • I can use technology to produce, publish, and update writing products in response to ongoing feedback, new arguments, and new information.
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