Changing Up Nonfiction Part 2

I posted here about how I was going to introduce our research projects differently this year along connecting to our Wonder Wednesday at Wonderopolis. Research is reaching new heights and really exploding with fun this year. 

1) Students created their visual in their writer's notebook and started to think about how their new research fits into their their notebook. In the picture above, the green spiral is an example on the left is their BK (background knowledge) and on the right is their new research.  I am really pushing them to focus on new knowledge about their topic. Often in the past, I believe students used their own knowledge as "research."

2) The students each placed 4 sticky notes around their writer's notebook and wonder book. The students rotated around the room reading their friends notes and leaving questions that they had about their topic.  We discussed the three level of questions: literal, inferential and explanatory. 

3)  When the students got back to their desk, they glued in their four sticky notes in order from most difficult to answer to easiest.  Their homework was to research their one of their friend's question.

4) Finally the students shared their research by answering their friend's question.  The power is seeing your question on the Smartboard with the new research was really important. They seemed more invested in each others topics.  Ian shared his thinking above about his topic: atoms along with how he organized his notes: new facts, vocabulary and WOW moments.  Love gathering authentic mentor text from my students.