In this project based learning unit, literacy instruction was blended with our earth science unit and graphic layout/design lessons. Writers practiced informational writing after our hands-on cornmeal weathering investigation. Students selected a natural disaster/hazard and grouped related information into paragraphs. During this unit, volunteers from the Red Cross visited our school to help students develop disaster preparedness kits. Students then created disaster awareness brochures for the general public, which were shared at our publishing party. A student designed and shared a brochure template he created using Google Slides.

When we used the 1998 CA Science standards, my writers researched and wrote informational articles on a variety of animals. I chose to write my mentor text on the persevering cactus. Students used graphic novels and transition words/phrases to organize their ideas and help their writing flow.

To conclude our California Native Americans unit, students chose a California region to research. They described how the tribes in that region adapted to and changed their environment to meet their needs. Students learned how to use a variety of textual features on Google Docs including headings, hyperlinks, pictures, and bibliography. Writers continue to practice using ICE (introduce, cite, explain) to connect their evidence to their main idea.

Since the majority of my students are not born in California (including myself), I like to conclude 4th grade with a family culture research project. Students, in 2nd grade, create a family tree and interview their immediate family members on their im/emmigration history. We discuss how people travel to California for better life prospects all throughout history. It is important to know where you come from in order to know where you are going.

Writers practice writing personal narratives, realistic fiction, and fantasy/historical fiction narratives. They have quite a bit of freedom in the Writing Workshop format. Through mini-lessons, writers learn that all stories follow a story arc and have dynamic characters. Superheroes and graphic novels provide the perfect context for showing how characters attempt to solve societal problems. Writers brainstorm the internal and external traits of their protagonist and antagonist. They practice using figurative language, juicy and descriptive word choice, and sound effects to create a movie in their readers' minds.

Writers are taught to weigh evidence from opposing arguments before determining their final opinion. They organize their opinion and reasons into a box and bullets. We use a graphic organizer to expand each bulleted reason into a whole body paragraph. Writers learn to inspire their reader to take action on whatever topic they are trying to persuade about.