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Be the Animal Expert

Be the Animal Expert

Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:
Can you find anything in Tara’s picture that might help Amani answer
the question: How do flying squirrels fly?
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Step
01/18
Get your supplies. You’ll need two worksheets that you used in the
last lesson and two new worksheets.
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Step
02/18
Get your Think Sheet. Silently read what you wrote on your
Think Sheet.
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Step
03/18
Your teacher has put up two signs: Team Armadillo and Team
Kangaroo Rat. When your teacher says “go,” stand up and go
to the sign with your animal on it.
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Step
04/18
For the next few steps, you’ll be working with a partner-- someone
who chose the same animal you did. When everyone has a partner,
sit down. Go to the next step.
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Step
05/18
Let’s take a look at Tara’s drawings together. Listen as I read the
notes on the drawings. Pay special attention to the notes about
YOUR animal. I’ll start with the armadillo.
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Step
06/18
Now let’s look at Tara’s drawing of the kangaroo rat. Listen as
I read the notes out loud.
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Step
07/18
Look at Tara’s drawing of your animal and read the words on it
silently. In your own words, write at least two new ideas on your
Think Sheet. Write more if you like.
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Step
08/18
With your partner, take turns reading an idea from your Think Sheet.
If you both have the same idea, both of you put a check mark
next to it.
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Step
09/18
Find all the ideas on your Think Sheet that don't have a check mark.
Your partner can add them to their Think Sheet, if they like.
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Step
10/18
Look at all the ideas on your Think Sheet. Circle two or more ideas
that tell you how your animal protects itself.
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Step
11/18
Writers call the first version a DRAFT. Discuss: What do you notice
about Amani’s first draft? Do you think it looks perfect?
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Step
12/18
Here’s what we noticed: Amani’s first draft is MESSY. He crossed
out the words or sentences he decided he didn’t like. In the first
draft, don’t worry about mistakes!
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Step
13/18
Get your First Draft worksheet. Beside the word “Topic,” write the
name of your animal.
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Step
14/18
Find the idea on your Think Sheet that you think is the most
interesting. Write a sentence about it next to #1 on your First Draft
sheet. Silently read that sentence.
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Step
15/18
By #2 on the First Draft, write a sentence about another idea that
you circled. Keep writing until you run out of time. Try to write a
sentence about each idea you circled.
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Step
16/18
If there’s time, read your favorite sentence to your partner.
When you read your work, you may discover that you want to
change some words. Do that now.
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Step
17/18
The papers shown on the screen are VIPs: Very Important Papers!
Your teacher will tell you where to put them so you will have them
for the next lesson.
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Step
18/18
Nicely done! Your sign is starting to take shape! In the next lesson,
you’ll be adding the sentences that will make your sign
unforgettable and fun to read.
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Lesson details

Grade 2

Informative

Begin Drafting

47 reviews

Students will...

Print Prep
  • use a second source of information and add to their notes from Lesson 1.

  • collaborate with a partner to share ideas.

  • identify which ideas match their main idea.

  • learn that first drafts can be messy, incorporating many changes along the way.

Before this lesson...

Students should have completed lesson 1 of this unit
Animal Sign First Draft worksheet 1 per student
Armadillo & Kangaroo Rat Signs worksheet
Print one of each to hang in classroom 		1 per class
Armadillo Sketch worksheet
1 per student according to the animal they chose in lesson one 		1 per student
Kangaroo Rat Sketch worksheet
1 per student according to the animal they chose in lesson one 		1 per student
Think Sheet from previous lesson
1 per student
Word Bank from previous lesson
1 per student

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Animal Sign Paragraph Frame worksheet 1 per student
Prep Instructions
  • Post the Kangaroo Rat and Armadillo signs in the room apart from each other so students know where to go when it’s time to stand by their sign.

  • Students will work in pairs. The instructions are included in the lesson directions.

  • A scaffolded paragraph with additional support is provided for students who may not be ready to independently write a paragraph.

Standards

Jump to

Introduction

5 mins

Writing Activity

30 mins

Lesson details

Grade 2

Informative

Begin Drafting

47 reviews

Extend this lesson

Activity

Activity

You can be a scientific sketchbook writer too! Choose an animal you know a lot about. Then create an informative sketch just like Tara did. Remember, your sketch should have pictures AND words to show all the information you know.

Video

Video

How are pencils made?
Credits
 
Amanis Animal Rescue Lesson 2: Be the Animal Expert

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