We are currently in the INFORMATION WRITING unit.
Narrative Writing
Character Development: YOU are a real character! Your family and friends are characters, too. How are you showing character traits in your story? You can use STEAL. Show character through:
S: SAY
T: THINK
E: EFFECT ON OTHER PEOPLE
A: ACT
L: LOOK
Story Arc: As we are writing, we need to think about how stories go. Think of stories as following a certain pattern. While all stories are a little different, they usually follow what we refer to as a NARRATIVE ARC.
- As you can see, Stories often start by introducing the CHARACTERS and the SETTING.
- Then the author tells us about the HOPES or DESIRES of the character.
- BUT, there will be an obstacle or CONFLICT in the character's way of reaching his or her wishes.
- SO, now we have a story!
- Usually the conflict will build with 2 or 3 events. Sometimes we call this RISING ACTION.
- The CLIMAX is the most exciting and tense part of the story.
- Once the character has faced his or her obstacle in the CLIMAX, the story is almost over.
- The end is called the RESOLUTION.
Informational Research
When we write to inform, we have to be sure we've done good research. Good research means we use reliable, accurate resources. We started with books. We've talked about using Text Features to help negotiate our Non-fiction books. We also can use informational websites. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to guide your research online.
Here's what you can do:
1) Take out your checklist for Information Writing.
2) Going sentence by sentence, check your paper for the items on the checklist. If you mark "Starting to" or "Not yet" next to any of the items ,now you have a direction to improve your paper!
3) Do you have text features? If the only text features you have used is pictures, consider checking the chart on the bulletin board to add a few more.
4) Did you use transitions in EACH paragraph? Check your chart to find the beet ones to use. "Also, And, and But" are not good transitions. Go through and use "additionally" or "in contrast", for example. (or use "for example"!)
5) Is your paper titled, double spaced, with a font of 12-15?
6) Do you have 4-6 sentences in every single paragraph? You should! A topic sentence, 3 examples, and a conclusion or transition before you move on to the next paragraph.
7) Complete your Sources page.
8) Print a final copy of your paper. Staple the pages of the paper together.
9) Make a cover for your paper!
10) Inside the cover, put your papers in this order.
*On top, your final draft of your essay.
*Next, put all copies of the drafts you did. (this only matters if you started on paper or if you printed more than one copy.
*Next put your SOURCE PAGE.
*Next put your OUTLINE.
*Finally, put your NOTES.
Try to straighten and neaten your pages before you turn them in.
Here are some approved animal websites.
Animal Fact guide
KidsPlanet
National Geographic (kids)
National Geographic (adults)
Ranger Rick
NatureWorks
Animal Corner
San Diego Zoo
Research Questions
Physical Characteristics
Skin:
Is the skin rough, smooth, furry?
Does the animal shed its skin or molt?
Eyes:
What color eyes?
What shape eyes? What shape pupils?
Where are the eyes on the head?
How well does the animal see?
Other:
How many teeth?
Height? Weight? Length? Wingspan?
Spotted or striped?
Can the animal swim? Fly? Do both?
Stand upright or walk on all fours?
Reptile, mammal, amphibian, bird?
Spine or invertebrate?
Habitat
Where does your animal live? (continent, country, region, state) Most common?
Land or water (or both?)
Saltwater or freshwater?
Does the animal migrate? Where to where and when?
Does the animal hibernate?
What kind of climate does your animal need?
What landforms does your animal live in/on? Mountains, gulf, freshwater, mangroves, plains, forests, jungles?
Diet
What do they eat?
How do they hunt for food?
How do they find food? (ambush, hunt, stalk, dig it up)
Is it a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?
Hunt alone or in a group?
Who does the hunting?
Is the animal a predator or prey? (or neither)
Family Life
How are the babies born? Hatched, born live? Stages like a frog or butterfly? Molting?
Who feeds the babies?
Who lives together in the “family”?
What role does each animal play in a group?
If only 1 parent stays with the babies,where does the other parent go?
How long do the babies stay with their parents?
How long does it take for babies to become adults?
Physical Characteristics
Skin:
Is the skin rough, smooth, furry?
Does the animal shed its skin or molt?
Eyes:
What color eyes?
What shape eyes? What shape pupils?
Where are the eyes on the head?
How well does the animal see?
Other:
How many teeth?
Height? Weight? Length? Wingspan?
Spotted or striped?
Can the animal swim? Fly? Do both?
Stand upright or walk on all fours?
Reptile, mammal, amphibian, bird?
Spine or invertebrate?
Habitat
Where does your animal live? (continent, country, region, state) Most common?
Land or water (or both?)
Saltwater or freshwater?
Does the animal migrate? Where to where and when?
Does the animal hibernate?
What kind of climate does your animal need?
What landforms does your animal live in/on? Mountains, gulf, freshwater, mangroves, plains, forests, jungles?
Diet
What do they eat?
How do they hunt for food?
How do they find food? (ambush, hunt, stalk, dig it up)
Is it a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?
Hunt alone or in a group?
Who does the hunting?
Is the animal a predator or prey? (or neither)
Family Life
How are the babies born? Hatched, born live? Stages like a frog or butterfly? Molting?
Who feeds the babies?
Who lives together in the “family”?
What role does each animal play in a group?
If only 1 parent stays with the babies,where does the other parent go?
How long do the babies stay with their parents?
How long does it take for babies to become adults?
Opinion Writing Unit
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