The children are familiar with this kind of writing, because of the informational writing we did at the beginning of the school year. It has been so powerful to circle back to this learning, because of the children's growth as authors and illustrators.
On Monday I shared a large collection of All About Books and the children made lists of things they know a lot about. We used a simple structure with five lines for recording their topic ideas. Even this part of the planning looked so different than it did in September and October. I am in awe of their growth in knowledge and skills.
Once they had five possible topics they shared with partners and chose one topic to write all about.
On Tuesday we studied the features of all about (nonfiction) books. Partnerships closely examined small stacks of nonfiction literature, noticing diagrams and labels, contents, and a list of words in the back! Once partnerships came together they shared their noticings and we developed a list.
All About Books have . . .
An essential part of the writing process is planning across pages, ensuring different information about your topic on every page. We talked about how when you touch and plan you can quickly draw a little picture, write a word, or use a sticky note to remember the information you plan to write on that page.
In Maeve's work, notice the tiny drawing of a beaver tail she used in her illustration box.
Before she began writing information about beavers using their tails to signal danger, she had to organize her information across pages. Her little tail drawing was a great strategy for remembering her plan for that page!
Reagan and I worked together to use sticky notes to record her ideas for an All About Kindergarten book. I transcribed some of her words, while she wrote the important information and used pictures to help remember what she planned to write on each page.
1. In Kindergarten you learn how to be safe at school.
2. You practice being part of a community.
3. You learn about reading and writing. Notice the drawing of a book and pencil!
4. You learn and try new things, you have to be brave.
5. Kindergarten is FUN!
Reagan is now ready to use pictures and words to tell all of the information needed to teach us about Kindergarten.
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