This resource includes brief instructions on how to lead students in writing their own children's book about an environmental issue.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Student creativity can flourish as they explore environmental problems and solutions through their writing.
Free and engaging examples of children's books are provided on ClimateScience's website (linked in the teacher's guide).
Students can not only learn writing and narrative techniques modeled in the books, but they can also learn more about various environmental issues by reviewing the examples.
Additional Prerequisites
This activity is intended to last 90 minutes.
If possible, teachers may want to provide some printed children's books from the library so students can look at these examples in addition to viewing the linked ones on a screen.
Differentiation
Teachers can help students brainstorm ideas to ensure a wide variety of topics are covered.
Students can work in groups and assign roles such as illustrator, writer, researcher, and editor.
Teachers can create a rubric or checklist to assist students in meeting expectations for the assignment.
This resource challenges students to explain climate change in a fashion that is understandable to their peers. The example books provided are well-written and factual, as are the sources provided - particularly the source from NASA. This activity is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Writing (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.7.3-5 Explain different strategies and approaches students and others could take in working alone and together to address local, regional, and global problems, and predict possible results of their actions.
