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2nd Grade
- Project
- 4 weeks
Manatee Tales: A Call to Action!
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1
Absorbing feedback
Evaluating feedback
Absorbing feedback
+ 2 more
The Challenge
Florida manatees face critical threats from human activities, including habitat destruction, pollution, and reduced legal protections, leading to severe consequences like starvation and death. This challenge highlights the urgent need for collective action to safeguard these vulnerable creatures and their ecosystems. How can we create a storybook that teaches our community about the importance of protecting manatees and their habitats, so that more people take action to help them?
Challenge Question
How can we create a storybook that teaches our community about the importance of protecting manatees and their habitats, so that more people take action to help them?
Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.3 - Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1 - Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
Competencies
- Receiving Feedback - Absorbing feedback (LL.SM.1.a)
- Receiving Feedback - Evaluating feedback (LL.SM.1.b)
- Receiving Feedback - Absorbing feedback (LL.SM.1.a)
- Receiving Feedback - Evaluating feedback (LL.SM.1.b)
- Artistic Expression - Making art (FK.AC.1.b)
The Learning Journey
| Phase | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Discover |
I can explore how manatees are affected by human activities and understand why it's important to protect their habitats through an engaging story and interactive discussion.
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| Examine |
I can investigate the reasons behind the threats to manatees by researching pollution, habitat loss, and changes in laws, using books, videos, and expert talks.
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| Engineer |
I can develop a creative narrative and storyboard that highlights the life of a manatee, emphasizing the challenges they face and how they adapt to survive.
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| Do |
I can test the effectiveness of my narrative by sharing it with classmates and gathering feedback to refine my story before the final presentation.
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| Share |
I can share my storybook and learning journey with family and community members at a special event, showing what I've learned about manatees and how I can help protect them.
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| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Discover Stage: Manatee Storytime - Read a storybook about manatees and discuss their characteristics and habitats to introduce the project topic (20 min)
Discover Stage: Manatee Habitat Exploration - Watch a short video about Florida manatees' habitats and discuss the importance of freshwater springs (25 min)
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Discover Stage: Guest Speaker Q&A - Engage with a local environmental expert via video call to learn about manatees' challenges and ask questions (30 min)
Discover Stage: Reflection Circle - Share thoughts and feelings about manatees' plight and personal connections to the environment (15 min)
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Examine Stage: Question Generation - Collaboratively brainstorm questions about manatees' threats and possible solutions (15 min)
Examine Stage: Research Station Rotation - Rotate through stations with books, articles, and videos to research pollution, habitat loss, and law changes affecting manatees (30 min)
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Examine Stage: Root Cause Analysis - Work in pairs to identify root causes of manatee threats using research findings and prepare to share (20 min)
Examine Stage: Seminar Discussion - Participate in a class discussion to explore diverse perspectives on manatee conservation (25 min)
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Examine Stage: Criteria Development - Develop criteria for a successful manatee protection storybook, considering elements like accuracy and engagement (20 min)
Examine Stage: Solution Brainstorming - Brainstorm story ideas that address manatee protection and evaluate them against developed criteria (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. A simple illustration of a manatee and its habitat
2. A draft storyboard depicting a day in the life of a manatee |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather age-appropriate storybooks and videos about manatees
2. Prepare drawing materials such as paper, crayons, and markers 3. Create a storyboard template for students to use 4. Organize the classroom for peer review sessions, ensuring space for pairs to work together |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Engineer Stage: Develop Narrative Outline - Begin outlining the narrative for the manatee storybook, focusing on a day in the life of a manatee and including obstacles related to human activities (20 min)
Engineer Stage: Illustrative Brainstorm - Brainstorm ideas for illustrations that will accompany the narrative, considering key scenes and emotional moments (25 min)
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Engineer Stage: Peer Review of Outlines - Share narrative outlines with peers and provide T.A.G. feedback: Tell something you liked, Ask a question, Give a suggestion (20 min)
Engineer Stage: Revise Narrative - Use feedback to revise and refine the narrative outline, ensuring a clear sequence of events and inclusion of temporal words (25 min)
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Engineer Stage: Detailed Storyboard Creation - Develop a detailed storyboard for the narrative, mapping out each scene and corresponding text to visually plan the storybook (45 min)
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Engineer Stage: Storyboard Peer Feedback - Present storyboards to peers and receive T.A.G. feedback to enhance clarity and engagement (20 min)
Engineer Stage: Storyboard Refinement - Apply feedback to refine the storyboard, focusing on narrative coherence and visual storytelling (25 min)
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Engineer Stage: Finalize Storyboard - Complete final adjustments to the storyboard, preparing it for the illustration phase (20 min)
Engineer Stage: Plan Illustrations - Begin planning specific illustrations needed for each storyboard scene, considering color, emotion, and educational elements (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Storyboard illustrating a day in the life of a manatee with accompanying narrative text.
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| Preparation |
1. Gather age-appropriate books and videos on manatees and environmental impact.
2. Coordinate with the Florida Museum of Natural History for a guest speaker session. 3. Provide materials for storyboard creation, including paper, markers, and crayons. 4. Prepare a rubric for assessing the storyboard and narrative text. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Engineer Stage: Storyboard Planning - Design a storyboard that outlines the narrative sequence from the perspective of a manatee facing human-induced challenges (25 min)
Engineer Stage: Peer Review Session - Share storyboards with classmates and provide T.A.G. Feedback to refine narratives and illustrations (20 min)
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Engineer Stage: Narrative Drafting - Begin drafting the narrative text for the storyboard, focusing on using temporal words for event order (30 min)
Engineer Stage: Illustrating the Story - Create initial illustrations for the storyboard, emphasizing manatee habitats and challenges (15 min)
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Engineer Stage: Peer Critique - Exchange narrative drafts with peers for constructive feedback using T.A.G. (Tell, Ask, Give) method (20 min)
Engineer Stage: Revision Workshop - Revise narratives and illustrations based on peer feedback, ensuring the story conveys its intended message (25 min)
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Do Stage: Prototype Presentation - Share revised storyboards with the class and gather additional feedback to assess narrative effectiveness (20 min)
Do Stage: Data Collection Plan - Develop a plan to gather feedback from community members on the story's impact once shared (25 min)
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Do Stage: Community Engagement Strategy - Plan how to share the storybook with the Marion County Public Library and the Silver River Museum (20 min)
Do Stage: Reflection and Improvement - Reflect on the feedback received and discuss improvements to enhance the storybook's impact (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed storyboard and narrative with revisions based on feedback.
2. Illustrations for the narrative that align with the story's emotional tone. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather art supplies such as colored pencils, markers, and paper for illustrations.
2. Prepare feedback forms for peer review sessions. 3. Organize storytelling rehearsal space to allow students to practice their narrative delivery. 4. Ensure access to digital devices or cameras for students who wish to digitally illustrate their stories. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Do Stage: Narration Practice - Practice reading and narrating the story aloud, focusing on expression and clarity (20 min)
Do Stage: Illustrations Review - Review illustrations and ensure they align with the narrative, making any final adjustments (25 min)
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Do Stage: Peer Story Sharing - Share the storybook with peers and gather feedback on clarity and engagement (20 min)
Do Stage: Feedback Analysis - Analyze peer feedback to identify areas for improvement in the storybook (25 min)
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Share Stage: Presentation Planning - Plan the presentation of the storybook, deciding on key points to emphasize (20 min)
Share Stage: Presentation Rehearsal - Rehearse the presentation as a team, focusing on smooth transitions and confidence (25 min)
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Share Stage: Presentation Day - Present the storybook to classmates and learning partners, answering questions from the audience (45 min)
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Share Stage: Reflection Circle - Participate in a closing circle to reflect on the learning journey and celebrate achievements (20 min)
Share Stage: Experience Survey - Complete an experience survey to provide feedback on the project process and outcomes (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Final narrative story with illustrations
2. Compiled storybook with peer narratives 3. Presentation of storybook at community event |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather art materials for illustrations (colored pencils, markers, paper)
2. Arrange the venue and logistics for the community presentation event 3. Coordinate with learning partners for attendance and support at the event 4. Provide feedback forms for peers to evaluate final narratives 5. Print copies of the storybooks for distribution during the presentation |
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