Research Projects

Grades K-1

Lighthouse Project Grade 1 In this lesson the students will learn about the differences between fiction and non-fiction books. A nonfiction overview "What Is a Lighthouse", the poem - "The Little Lighthouse", and the book The Little Read Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift and Lynd Ward. Play a trivia facts game, perform a Reader's Theater play based on the fiction book selection and build papercup lighthouses.
- Lighthouse Project Lesson Plan
- Paper Cup Lighthouse Project
- Little Red Lighthouse Reader's Theater Script

Create a Question & Answer Book through Guided Research This lesson focuses on reading and writing activities designed to teach research strategies. The activity uses KWL charts developed with the children using "Inspiration" as well as shared writing. The topic "BIRDS" will be used by the entire class. The lesson culminates with the publishing of a collaborative question and answer book which reports on information about the chosen topic, with each student contributing one page to the book. This lesson uses fiction and nonfiction texts to increase student interest in and understanding of content area material. The more familiar format of narrative fiction introduces the topic and generates confidence in exploring the less familiar genre of nonfiction. Question/Answer Book Lesson Plan

Grades 2-3

Top of the Fold - Grandview Newspaper Children will use a web based graphic organizer to develop their articles for the school newspaper. Each child will have his/her own page which they will be able to access from school and home. A Resources for Reporters page has been created to support this project.

Lighthouse Project In this lesson the students will learn about the differences between fiction and non-fiction books. The students will listen to: A nonfiction overview "What Is a Lighthouse", a Poem - "Light the Light", and the book Beacons of Light by Gail Gibbons. They will work in groups to identify different characteristics and facts concerning lighthouses and their history. Once the students listen for information they are ready to play a trivia game. If teacher's wish to work on this project, students will build Papercup Lighthouses. (Other books to read during course of project: Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter Roop, Connie Roop and Birdie's Lighthouse by Deborah Hopkinson) Lighthouse Project Lesson Plan

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