Creating question and answer books through guided research
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=353
A lesson plan for Grades K–1 English Language Arts
This ReadWriteThink lesson focuses on a “learn by doing” series of reading and writing activities designed to teach research strategies. The activity uses KWL charts and interactive writing as key components of organizing information. One topic is chosen by the class to investigate as a group—in this case insects. Periodic reviews of gathered information become the backdrop to ongoing inquiry, discussion, reporting, and confirming information. 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 resource includes links to students materials, interactives, and related websites.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.02: Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of texts (storybooks, short chapter books, newspapers, telephone books, and everyday print such as signs and labels, poems, word plays using alliteration and rhyme, skits and short plays).
- Objective 2.07: Respond and elaborate in answering what, when, where, and how questions.
- Objective 2.08: Discuss and explain response to how, why, and what if questions in sharing narrative and expository texts.
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.04: Share personal experiences and responses to experiences with text:
- publishing non-print texts.
- discussing interpretations.
- recording personal responses.
- Objective 3.04: Share personal experiences and responses to experiences with text:
- Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
- Objective 4.01: Select and use new vocabulary and language structures in both speech and writing contexts (e.g., oral retelling using exclamatory phrases to accent an idea or event).
- Objective 4.03: Use specific words to name and tell action in oral and written language (e.g., using words such as frog and toad when discussing an expository text).
- Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
- clarifying purposes for engaging in communication.
- using clear and precise language to paraphrase messages.
- engaging in more extended oral discussions.
- producing written products.
- completing graphic organizers.
- Objective 4.05: Write and/or participate in writing by using an author's model of language and extending the model (e.g., writing different ending for a story, composing an innovation of a poem).
Kindergarten
- Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.02: Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of types of books and selections (e.g., picture books, caption books, short informational texts, nursery rhymes, word plays/finger plays, puppet plays, reenactments of familiar stories).
- Objective 2.03: Use preparation strategies to activate prior knowledge and experience before and during the reading of a text.
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Connect information and events in text to experience.
- Objective 3.04: Use speaking and listening skills and media to connect experiences and text
- listening to and re-visiting stories
- discussing, illustrating, and dramatizing stories
- discovering relationships.
- Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
- Objective 4.01: Use new vocabulary in own speech and writing.
- Objective 4.02: Use words that name and words that tell action in a variety of simple texts (e.g., oral retelling, written stories, lists, journal entries of personal experiences).
- Objective 4.03: Use words that describe color, size, and location in a variety of texts: e.g., oral retelling, written stories, lists, journal entries of personal experiences.
- Objective 4.04: Maintain conversation and discussions:
- attending to oral presentations
- taking turns expressing ideas and asking questions.
- Objective 4.06: Write and/or participate in writing behaviors by using authors' models of language.



