We have been studying Crocodilians. So I based a comparison project on the series Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta. This is a very popular series in my classroom. We read several books from the series and charted the types of pages and comparisons Jerry Pallotta wrote. Then students began creating their own books, Who Would Win? Alligators vs. Crocodiles. |
Some students need help skimming through the text on internet sites and pulling out the information they need. Some students need more structure in extracting information and so I suggest they use Pebble Go. Our school has a subscription. | Of course, that meant research! As I move deeper into blended learning I realize that research needs to be blended as well. Some students are capable of 'googling' a topic, choosing a site and reading information on their own. (*Students must ALWAYS tell me when they are going to use Google so I can keep an eye on the information and images to which they are exposed). Some students are ready to use search engines but need instruction on how to choose the best words and phrases to search. Some students need support finding information in print resourses through indexes and the table of contents. Some students need instruction and support in taking and organizing notes from both print and digital resourses. |
Some students are not yet reading at a level which allows them to easily access text on the internet. For those students I provide a wiki page containing information I have compiled and written at a level they can read individually or in small groups. I also provide links to photos and videoes on the wiki. ======> |
After researching students decided on the types of pages they would create to make their case as to which animal would win in a battle. Some students were not comfortable having the alligator and crocodile battle so they made a case as to which animal was the most interesting. Each book included several pages of well written information before the final 'Who Would Win' page. We then shared our books with kindergarten classes. My students were very serious and grown up in sharing these important books. Jerry Pallotta would be proud!!! |