Diary of a Worm/Fiction and Non-Fiction

Created by:

Sandy Andera

Title/Role:

librarian

Organization/School Name:

Aberdeen Catholic Schools

Location:

South Dakota

Grade Level:

1, 2

Type of Lesson:

Lesson in a unit

Type of Schedule:

Fixed

Collaboration Continuum:

Moderate

Content Area:

Science

Content Topic:

Fiction / Non-fiction and Habitats

Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

Skills Indicator(s):

1.1.1 Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real-world connection for using this process in own life.

2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.

2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems.

Dispositions Indicator(s):

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.

3.2.2 Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group discussions.

Responsibilities Indicator(s):

1.3.4 Contribute to the exchange of ideas within the learning community.

3.3.4 Create products that apply to authentic, real-world contexts.

Self-Assessment Strategies Indicator(s):

1.4.2 Use interaction with and feedback from teachers and peers to guide own inquiry process.

1.4.4 Seek appropriate help when it is needed.

Scenario:

This lesson is an extension from a lesson on animal characteristics and habitats in a first grade life science unit and an introduction to learning about fiction and non-fiction type books. The classroom teacher offers instruction on how certain animals are allowed to live in specific habitats. The librarian focuses on looking at a book and deciding if it is a fiction or a non-fiction book and how can they tell the difference. Once the students are given instruction on fiction/non-fiction or also called informational text and literary text, they will continue throughout the year to explore this standard.

Overview:

The essential concept of this lesson was designed for the student to differentiate between fiction and non-fiction and to compare the habitat relationships between worm, spider, and fly. The Essential Questions: What does it mean if a book is fiction or non-fiction? How would you explain the benefits a worm has on the world? What would happen if fly, spider, and worm were all friends?

Final Product:

Divided into groups, the students will get a copy of the books Diary of a Spider and Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin. Students will read the story and create a chart that will include fiction and non-fiction information from the books. After the completion of the chart, the students will create a diorama of the habitat of their animal.

Library Lesson:

Students will learn to recognize the differences between fiction and non-fiction and to work independently and in collaborative groups.

Estimated Lesson Time:

75 minutes

Assessment

Product:

The final product of the fiction and non/fiction chart and the diorama is assessed by the librarian. The librarian uses a simple rubric to determine if students have completed their chart with the correct information taken from their book. Also a look at the diorama to see if understanding of the habitat is correct.

Process:

The teacher and librarian observe students as they work on their charts and dioramas and also listen to the discussions during their small group activities.

Student self-questioning:

Did I understand my task? Are my facts accurate? Did I participate and contribute to the group learning activity? Is my diorama appealing and helpful to others?

Instructional Plan

Resources students will use:

Dataset (ie. lists, tables, databases)

Interactive Resource (i.e. webpages, multimedia learning objects, chat services)

Text (books, letters, poems, newspapers, etc.)

Interactive Resource URL:

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/worms/

Resources instructor will use:

Projector

Laptop

Smart board

Instruction/Activities

Direct instruction:

Connect current lesson to prior knowledge by asking students what they can tell about animal characteristics and animal habitats. Discuss words fiction/nonfiction. Show book Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin. This story has both fiction and nonfiction information. Do a book walk and notice the pictures and the diary format.

Modeling and guided practice:

Read the book. Summarize the book into fiction/non-fiction parts. Use the Promethean board to make a chart. Look at website: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/worms to learn more about worms. Take the online quiz following website instruction.

Independent practice:

Divided into groups, the students will get a copy of Diary of a Spider and Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin. Students will read the story and create a chart that will include fiction and non-fiction information from the books. After the completion of the chart, the students will create a diorama of the habitat of their animal.

Have you taught this lesson before:

Yes

Strategies for differentiation:

One strategy would be to have the books on CD if a child has trouble reading the entire book. Another strategy could be if a student has trouble writing he/she could verbally share the facts with a teacher or older helper in the classroom.