Writing a report - Action Research Project - Moonta Area School.doc

Action Research ProjectMoonta Area SchoolAdele Cross Yr 6SHARKSReading1. What sort of book is this?2. What would you use this book for?3. If you wanted to find information in this book about Sharks, show me what you would do.4. Where else could you get information about sharks?5. What is note-taking?6. How do you do it?Writing7. What is an information report?8. What do you need to put in it?9. What could you use this sort of report for?Lesson 1Aim: To assess students knowledge on reading and sorting information Assess the students knowledge of writing a report To assess students knowledge on resourcesTask:Survey Questions Students will be asked a series of questions on Reports and elements involved in writing a report. This will be done on a one to one basisPre-test Students will be given a list of notes on sharks. They will need to read through and sort the information, as some of has no relevance to topic. They will then use the information to write a report on sharks They students will be given approximately 30 minutes of writing time, longer if necessary. There are about 350 different kinds of sharks. Sharks lay eggs. I am really scared of sharks. Skeleton is made of cartilage, not bone. Cartilage is more flexible than bone. Sharks must keep swimming in order to breathe and float. Eighty-five different kinds of sharks are found in Australia. The largest shark is the whale shark. Sharks may go into an eating frenzy and end by eating each other. The sharks at Sea World are great to see. A sharks teeth can be knobs, flat grinding teeth, comb-like teeth, cross-cut saw-teeth or huge serrated fangs. The white pointer shark grows to be thirteen metres long. The most dangerous shark is the white pointer. Shark attacks on humans are rare. Sharks in Australia have killed about 100 people. Some fish live in rivers, lakes and ponds. Sharks belong to a class of their own because they have stiff cartilage not true bone. Sharks eat dead or alive animals and some will eat anything. Most sharks give birth to live you ones called pups. Each shark had different types of teeth. Sharks have no scales The whale shark has no teeth. The Sydney Sharks won their first match on Saturday. A shark spends most of its life looking for food. Some sharks stay close to shore, but others swim far out to sea.Lesson 2Aim: To introduce the students to the process of writing a report Sorting informationTask:Writing a Report Students will look at the various reports write notes. Students will learn how to write a report write elements required. As a class we will go through a Report and look at all the elements.Sorting information As a class, using the information from last lesson we will sort it accordingly. The information will be cut into strips, grouped and then placed in an order.Lesson 3Aim: Students will become familiar with finding key points Students will learn the skill of scanning Students will learn to take brief notes How to reference the information.Task:Highlighting and taking notes As a class students will be shown and read a piece of writing, which they will highlight as a group. From the information that is highlighted, the class will make a set of notesDoing it in groups In groups students are given some information dealing with sharks. Each group has a different aspect to focus on Groups highlight the information, then take notes Doing it in groups Students bring their information they have gathered to share to the rest of the class.Lesson 4Aim: Students will become aware of the many types of resources they can use to find information. Students will view a video and gather information How to reference the information.Task:Brainstorm As a class, students will brainstorm the many places they can find information. Viewing Watch a video on sharks Using a mind map take notesSharing your ideas As a class discuss the notes you took from the videoLesson 5Aim: Introduce the students to searching on the Internet for information. Students will learn to take notes from the information they find How to reference the information.Task:Computing with Sue Hazel Students will work with Sue Hazel (teacher/librarian) to do a search on Sharks. They will learn to use key words, etc. to find the necessary information.Notes Students will use this time to gather more information and take notes.Lesson 6Aim: Students will learn to write an Animal Information Report.Task:Animal Information Report Discuss what is involved in writing an Animal Information Report. Look at the key areas of information.Brining it all together Bringing all the information we have gathered so far, as a class sort all the notes into the various areas of a report. As a class write a class report on sharks.Students will be given a typed up class report to keep and they will do an art activity to accompany this.A general opening statement in the first paragraphv This statement tells the audience what the text is going to be about.v This can include a short description of the subject.v This can include a definition of the subject.The general opening statement introduces the reader to the reports topic. The opening sentence may be a question or statement. The following sentences may define the topic or give a brief description and/or classification of it.A series of paragraphs about the subject Body of the report.v Each paragraph usually begins with a topic sentence.v The topic sentence as the beginning of each paragraph previews the information contained in the rest of the paragraph.v The sentence after this preview gives more details.v Each paragraph should give information about one feature of the subject.v The paragraphs build a description of the subject of the report.v These paragraphs may include technical language that is related to the subject.The series of paragraphs, which follow the opening statement, are the reports main focus. These paragraphs describe and categorise the topic, giving facts that inform the reader. The paragraphs are structured in a logical order and are written precisely and clearly. Sub-headings can be used to make it easier for the reader to locate information and further structure the report.A concluding paragraphv The concluding paragraph signals the end of the text.v This paragraph can summarise the report.A report should finish with a statement, which rounds off the information presented.Visual Aidsv Visual aids are often necessary to help clarify what has been written.Bibliographyv Displays sources f where information was takenAn information report has been created by gathering information from a number of sources. It is important to acknowledge these different sources and state where they information was found.Lesson 7Aim: Students will learn write their own Animal Information Report.Task:Using proformas to gather information Discuss how to use proformas and how this will make it easy in completing the task. Give and example using the information we have gathered so far on sharks. Assessment task Discuss what is involved in the assessment task. Discuss time lines and expectations.Name: _Animal: _Classification:Appearance:Behaviour:Interesting Facts:Name: _Animal: _Classification:Appearance:Behaviour:Interesting Facts:Lesson 8-12Aim: Students will learn write their own Animal Information Report and present it.Task:Working on task Students will be able to use all the resources within the school to enable them to complete the task during these lessons.To prepare an information report you will need to do ten things:Step 1: SubjectChoose a subject.Step 2: My questionsMake a list of questions about your subject that require facts for answers.Step 3: ResearchResearch information from a variety of sources.Step 4: Note MakingMake notes to answer your questions using the information you have found.Step 5: OraganisingOrganise your notes into order in which you want to present your report.Step 6: OutlineWrite your first draft outline.Step 7: CheckingCheck that your draft contains all the necessary information.Step 8: Writing your report.Using the report format write a