Adventures in Non-Fiction

The students continue to study Non-Fiction in both Writing and Reading. In Writing, students are working to create their own "teaching" books! Students are learning how to use text features such as table of contents and headings to make their books even better. Students have collaborated with partners to determine what information may be missing from their teaching books. They have tried to write with their audience in mind and be thorough in their writing. The kids are writing about a wide variety of topics and are having a lot of fun with them!

These are writing skills we are focusing on:
Teach about a topic by organizing information and using a teaching voice
Plan before writing by telling information across fingers, sketching, then writing
Imagine and answer questions readers may ask about the topic
Teach with both pictures and words
Bravely spell expert words by stretching them out
Peer coach and revise writing
Self-assess and set writing goals
Edit for spelling, capitals, and punctuation
Write a table of contents
Plan individual chapters, telling across and down fingers
Write with details such as comparisons
Include different kinds of writing such as how-tos, persuasive ideas, and stories within a nonfiction book
Include an introduction
Include a conclusion

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In reading students are reading non-fiction books and online resources on many different topics. Students are learning to pick out important information to share. Students are learning to navigate using various text features. This week we are learning what to do when we come to a new word. We are learning how important these words can be in understanding the text. Students are learning to use context clues to learn MORE.