Nonfiction Writing Research

First graders are currently studying nonfiction reading and writing as one of our big focuses this trimester. Students are now familiar with the differences between fiction and nonfiction, as well the differences between literary and technical nonfiction. They have spent quite a bit of time learning to research nonfiction topics of interest (in books and online) and write the facts they find in their own words to create their own nonfiction "all about" books. Last week students teamed up in partnerships or groups of three to choose an animal to research and start work on a digital "all about" book using Google Presentation (Google Slides). Everyone is very engaged in this project and I am so excited to see the digital books take shape! The kids have been spending writing time each day meeting with their group to research their animal, take notes on their favorite facts (in their own words -- the kids have been really focused on this and doing an excellent job!), and starting to turn their notes into slides in their Google Presentation. The student groups chose the following animals for their writing research: tiger, opossum, duck, zebra, chick (kids are already getting excited about the chick hatching unit we will do in May!), mountain lion, scorpion, and shark. Stay tuned for the finished products! We hope to be able to share them online when they are finished. Here are photos of the groups doing research and note taking. It is unbelievable to me how much these first graders have grown in half a year!

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