Lauren Ibarra September 17, 2013 4th grade - Writing Title of Lesson Plan: An Insects Perspective Focus: Begin

this lesson by asking if anyone has seen insects outside their homes. Allow time for students to give answers and describe some of the insects they have seen. Ask them if we know what their lives our like. The answers will mostly be no and explain to them that today, they will be seeing life from an insects perspective. (This lesson may take up to 3 days in order to do research on computers and during library time. This lesson is when students have completed research.) Objective: (TEK ELA 18) Writing/Expository and Procedural Texts. Students write expository and procedural or work-related texts to communicate ideas and information to specific audiences for specific purposes. Students are expected to: (B) write letters whose language is tailored to the audience and purpose (e.g., a thank you note to a friend) and that use appropriate conventions (e.g., date, salutation, closing); (TEK ELA 24) Research/Gathering Sources. Students determine, locate, and explore the full range of relevant sources addressing a research question and systematically record the information they gather. Students are expected to: (A) follow the research plan to collect information from multiple sources of information, both oral and written. (TEK TECHNOLOGY 3) Research and information fluency. The student acquires and evaluates digital content. The student is expected to: (B) collect and organize information from a variety of formats, including text, audio, video, and graphics; The student should be able to: - Identify insects and describe their habitat, what they eat, and how they grow. - Research online and in the library about insects and take informative notes about them. - Write a letter to a friend using proper grammar and spelling - Imagine life from the perspective of the insect they choose Format and Procedures of Instruction: Begin this lesson by reading the book Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague. (This book is about a dog in obedience school writing to his owner telling of his experiences.) Once the book is over, explain to the class that they will be writing letters to a friend. Explain to them that it will be a different way to write a letter as we will be using the perspective of an insect of their choice. Tell them the reason we read this particular book is to understand how the author did research about dogs and obedience school in order to write those letters. Explain to the students that they will be doing online and library research about their insect. They will gather information about the insects habitat, what they eat, how they grow and any other interesting facts they want to include in the letter.

Guided Practice: Students will visit the library and use the computers to research a variety of different formats to find important information about their insect. They will take notes in their writing journals and will use them in their writing. Once students have completed their research and have their notes, they will sit down to begin writing their letter. They will write a letter to a friend of their choice telling them about a recent adventure. In this letter, students must include accurate information about the insect they have chosen. As students write, offer help when needing to spell a difficult word and answer any questions about their writing they may have. This is also the time to have mini-conferences with students about their writing. Remind students that they are writing their first draft and after their mini-conference, they can get their bug paper and write their final draft. Independent Practice: Students will complete a writing assignment about a recent adventure they have experienced through the eyes of an insect. They will work individually at their desks and when they are finished writing their first draft, they will write their final letter on a piece of bug paper. If they have time they may also draw a picture of their insect and turn it in. If there is time left over, they may go to the library center and read a book of their choosing. Closure: Once all students have completed, regroup the class and have student volunteer to share their insect and their adventures. Ask those students about habitats and any information about their insects. Explain to them that it is difficult to write in the perspective of someone or something else unless they can do enough research to know about it well enough. Let the class know that their letters will be displayed in the hall for all of our fellow students to stop and read! Materials: Book (Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague) Writing Paper Pencils Bug Paper (This is just paper that has bugs as the border can be found at Michaels or Hobby Lobby) Adaptations to plan to address special needs: When writing letters: - Students can use the computer for the word processor to type - Students can use the writing center to complete their letter if they need more time - Have pencil grips as well as any writing aids available if needed When performing research: - Pair students who have same insects when researching information

Books: Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague Websites:

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/insects http://sciencespot.net/Pages/kdzinsect.html http://www.bugfacts.net/ http://urbanext.illinois.edu/insects/