If I have your attention--- imagine your students- especially with the new Lego movie out. :)
After we read the book, students took part in a book pass, to find a topic about space for a mini research project. I had my librarian gather as many books as she had about space and planets and they moved in rotations around the room with their notebooks to browse the books and explore topics they were interested in.
The next day I did a mini-lesson on non-fiction features-- heading, topic, sub topic, details, captions, bullet points, lists, etc. From their list, they chose a topic. With their writers notebook they gathered the book that closely addressed their topic and took a spot in the room to read and took notes. Once they reached a stopping point (i.e. getting up, asking me questions) I had them share their notes with a partner.
During out literacy block during purposeful practice I gave students a sheet I had made to include their facts about their topic and decorate a Lego graphic however the spirit led them. I love seeing what they create when they have the freedom to do so. They definitely did not disappoint!
