Lesson:
The journalism assignment led to some lively discussion which occupied the entire class period. I will be publishing a summation and follow-up to the journalism exercise later this week.
Assignment:
Going back to expository writing, students will prepare to write a report about an animal. This report is not meant to describe a particular animal, such as a pet; rather, this is meant to inform readers about a genus (such as elephants in general) or species (such as the Asian elephant). Since we have practiced writing the type of essay a student might need to produce for a history class, we are now practicing a typical science class essay.
At this point in the class, we are also bridging gently into longer, stronger, and more detailed academic writing.
NOTE: This assignment will take two weeks. For now, students should at least brainstorm, take notes, and organize ideas, perhaps even write a rough draft. After class this week, students will gather any additional info they need, then proceed through the steps to a finished report.
Information to cover might include:
Name Give including common and scientific names and any alternative names. (For example, the cougar, puma concolor, is also known as puma, mountain lion, or panther.)
Class State scientific class.(For example: mammal, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, insect, spider, crustacean)
Anatomy and Appearance Describe distinguishing characteristics, such as shape, size, colors, covering, features, etc. (For example: four legs, two legs, no legs, wings? fur, feathers, scales? teeth, claws, horns, antlers, stingers? etc. )
Locomotion Tell how the animal moves. (Does it run, climb, swim, fly, dig, or jump? Is it fast or slow?)
Habitat and Range Identify continents, countries, regions, terrain, or ecosystems where it lives, such as:
~ Polar/arctic area
~ Mountain
~ Ocean
~ Desert
~ Savannah/grassland/prairie
~ Tropical rainforest
~ Woodland/forest
~ Tundra
~ Taiga
~ Wetland area/marsh
~ Pond
~ River/lake
~ Coral reef
~ Deciduous forest
~ Tide pool
Diet Explain what the animal eats and how it gets it food. (For example, is it carnivore [meat-eater], herbivore [plant-eater] or omnivore [both]? In the food chain, is it typically predator, prey, or both? Does it have unusual feeding habits? )
Enemies/Defense/Offense Identify any natural enemies the animal may have, as well as ways it attacks or defends itself. (Do other animals attack and/or this animal? Does anything else endanger this animal? Does it use camouflage, teeth and claws, armor, poison, etc.?)
Habits Note distinctive behaviors. (For example, does the animal hibernate? Or migrate? Is it nocturnal? Is it found alone, in herds, in packs, etc?
Life Cycle Explain how this animal lives and reproduces. (For example, does it lay eggs or give birth? How many young at once? Do family groups stay together, or are the young on their own? How long do they live?)
Environmental Impact Discuss how this animal interacts with humans, as applicable. (Are these endangered animals? If so, why? Are they useful [or harmful] to humans? If so, how? What impact would the extinction of this animal create?)
Individual Distinctives Explain anything else about this animal that makes it special or interesting.
Like all our assignments, students will need to:
~ brainstorm ideas and gather information
~ sort and sift those to choose the necessary and the best
~ arrange the chosen details in logical and balanced order
~ write a rough draft, placing those details into strong sentences
~ be sure to begin with an interesting topic sentence
~ be sure to end with a satisfying concluding sentence
~ add a title that draws the reader
~ check for active voice and lively language
~ check for sentence variety, using different openers and transitions
~ check for accuracy of fact, grammar, and spelling
~ produce smooth final draft
This time, remember, we have two weeks to accomplish this. Therefore, I will be expecting more from each student, in quantity, quality, or both.
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