A project we had in the 2nd grading period was to design a picture book for the HeadStart kids across the parking lot. It was something we made for them to give as a Christmas Present. Students were paired with a partner and we were assigned a student from Head Start. My partner & I were paired with a little boy named Aiden. He wanted was going to be a big brother soon, so we made the arrival of his soon-to-be baby brother the main topic of the book.

This project was none like the others, it was educational and for a good cause. Educationally, these were the standards covered:
10.4.1
Organization and Focus:
Discuss ideas for writing with classmates, teachers, and other writers and develop drafts alone and collaboratively. (Core Standard)
10.4.2
Establish a coherent thesis that conveys a clear perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing. (Core Standard)
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10.4.3
Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and the active (I will always remember my first trip to the city) rather than the passive voice (My first trip to the city will always be remembered). (Core Standard)
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10.4.13
Establish coherence within and among paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel structures, and similar writing techniques. (Core Standard)
10.4.4
Research Process and Technology:
Use clear research questions and suitable research methods, including texts, electronic resources, and personal interviews, to compile and present evidence from primary and secondary print or Internet sources. (Core Standard)
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10.4.5
Develop main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence, such as scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, and definitions. (Core Standard)
10.4.6
Synthesize information from multiple sources. Identify complexities and inconsistencies in the information and the different perspectives found in each medium, including almanacs, microfiche, news sources, in-depth field studies, speeches, journals, technical documents, and Internet sources. (Core Standard)
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10.4.7
Integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas. (Core Standard)
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10.4.8
Use appropriate conventions for documentation in text, notes, and bibliographies following the formats in different style manuals. (Core Standard)
10.4.9
Use a computer to design and publish documents by using advanced publishing software and graphic programs. (Core Standard)
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10.4.10
Evaluation and Revision:
Review, evaluate, revise, edit, and proofread writing using an editing checklist. (Core Standard)
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10.4.11
Apply criteria developed by self and others to evaluate the mechanics and content of writing. (Core Standard)
10.4.12
Provide constructive criticism to other writers with suggestions for improving organization, tone, style, clarity, and focus; edit and revise in response to peer reviews of own work. (Core Standard)
WH.9.5 - Use technology in the process of conducting historical research and in the presentation of the products of historical research and current events.
**READING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES 9-10:
9-10.WH.4-Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
9-10.WH.5-Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
9-10.WH.6-Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Barbara Cooper's Portfolio