Writing Assignment Description

Second-grade students at Evergreen Community Charter School created individual research booklets about a specific weather topic as part of their “Whatever the Weather” expedition. The expedition included learning about different weather phenomena, making weather observations, using instruments to record weather measurements, completing weather experiments, visiting with weather experts, and filming a group video about their topic in front of a green screen.

Students used a graphic planner to write about a particular weather phenomenon—what it is, how it is formed and at least two other facts. Students were required to use at least two different books and one website in gathering their information. The graphic planner included space for draft diagrams and pictures. Their final booklet included their research with diagrams or illustrations, an author page and a bibliography. At project culmination, students completed a self-assessment rubric.

Mini-lessons just prior to and during the research process taught students how to use text features to gather information, take dash notes, put the information from the source into their own words for their graphic planner, make a diagram or picture that enhances or explains the text, and bring closure to their research booklet. After self-revisions, two rounds of peer critique and specific feedback from the teacher, students wrote a final copy of their booklet. Their booklets were shared with family, friends and members of the Evergreen Community Charter School community on Expedition night. Students were stationed at tables and visitors rotated around to have students tell about or read their booklets.