Each year as the testing window closes, primary teachers have the time and to turn to research objectives. Nonfiction reports are new to your students, so this takes some thought and preparation. When crafting your research unit, there are three topics to consider.
1. Providing Sources for the research
2. Graphic Organizers That Work
3. Designing the Reports
Sources for Research
Your school library the place to start. Librarians have great insight as to what they have available to help your students dive into their topic. Even if the students have trouble reading, the photos can lend enough context for them to access the content.
Many State Social Studies Curriculums include using digital resources in research. Sites like Pebblego, National Geographic Kids, and Kiddle are a good place to begin. Tpt has many digital resources more specific to your grade level and topics. Click on the buttons below to check out a few google slides informational reading passages.
Graphic Organizers That Work
Each part of your Graphic Organizer should be an extension of your mini lesson. They should provide a basic outline of the report. In first grade, the class works each step together, using the same procedure as they write on their specific topic.
In order to prevent plagiarism, students write single words or phrases. This way, students use the word or phrase to build a sentence later on their white board. They will make a loop of writing-editing-copying-illustrating for each page or note card.
Designing the Reports
The project needs to cover the basics: Who-What-Where-When and How. Here again, the class will answer each step’s questions together. The difference will be the resources used and the topic. The output choices are endless. Here are just a few:
1. Nonfiction Book
2. Video
3. Poster
4. Brochure
5. Choice Box
Nonfiction Book
With these reports, developmentally appropriate handwriting paper is used. In first grade, I have 1-3 lines of text with room to illustrate each page. Each page answers a different Who-What-Where-When-How question. A simple table of contents and glossary are included.
Video
The research activities are the same as the nonfiction books, but the writing is done on note cards to be used during the making of the video. Most of your neurodivergent kids love these. Videos are perfect to post to a sharing app for the families!
Poster
Posters do not need to be huge. In fact, for 1st grade, use of poster boards makes things tricky when working in full group. Using a double-sized construction paper ( 12″ x 18″) seems to be a good size.
Brochure
Brochures can be simple or a bit more complicated, according to your grade level.
Choice Box
A Choice Box provides output choices for neurodivergent students. Since these kids have trouble with handwriting, the choices are more on the creative side. Giving your students choice as to type of output really spurs them to engage in the project.
I hope you found an idea you can use. If you like what you read, and want to see more, go here.
Happy Teaching!!
