Embedded Files
Students created and published a science magazine that showcased the powerful connections between scientific inquiry and creative expression. Each student began by selecting a scientific question that invited exploration. Through research and hands-on experimentation, they deepened their understanding of the e topic and wrote an “explainer” essay that clearly communicated the science behind it to a broader audience. Building on this foundation, they crafted original poetry or narrative pieces inspired by their chosen topic, using language and storytelling to convey the wonder, complexity, or human dimension of scientific discovery. This interdisciplinary project not only strengthened their skills in research, writing, critical thinking, and collaboration but also fostered creativity and personal voice. By combining rigorous scientific exploration with literary expression, the final magazine became a vibrant collection of student work that reflected curiosity, insight, and the ability to see the world through multiple lenses.
Skills:
Grade 6: scientific inquiry, research and information gathering, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, interdisciplinary thinking (science + literature), critical thinking and analysis, use of narrative to convey scientific concepts, citing evidence, supporting opinions, audience awareness and clarity in communication, personal voice development, creative expression through poetry and descriptive writing, peer feedback and collaboration, project planning, and integrating feedback.
Grade 5: scientific experimentation and observation, research using science and social studies texts, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, understanding of historical and scientific context, writing in multiple formats and styles, simplifying complex scientific ideas, use of diverse writing styles to engage readers, integrating feedback, accountability in individual and group work, and connecting science and everyday life.
Content:
Grade 6: sustainability pillars, natural life history, biodiversity, poetry, traits or writing.
Grade 5: introduction to chemistry, Egypt and Greeks access to knowledge, poetry, traits or writing.
Assessment (formative and summative): peer and teacher feedback, Do Nows, reading checks, journaling, grammar quizzes, centers, science articles, poems, creative descriptive paragraphs, timelines, collaborative work, final text, and magazines.
Sixth Grade: How can we, as magazine editors, develop a publication that effectively showcases diverse writing styles while presenting accurate and engaging scientific information?
Sixth Grade: How can we, as magazine editors, develop a publication that effectively showcases diverse writing styles while presenting accurate and engaging scientific information?
As part of the Science & Nature Magazine project, our 6th-grade students worked on creating a publication that blends different writing styles with accurate, well-researched information. This edition focused on COP16 and the challenges of biodiversity, with students crafting articles that showcase in-depth research, creativity, and their unique narrative style. Their magazines received positive feedback from Semestralizado peers, who highlighted the quality of the publications, their originality, and the powerful message encouraging an appreciation for biodiversity and a shared commitment to protecting the country's natural resources.
Reading: The Explorer
Reading: The Explorer
Provocation / Challenge
Provocation / Challenge
Students explored magazines and met with the school’s communications team for an introductory conversation on publishing information.
Research and Content/ Article
Research and Content/ Article
Students selected a research question, collaborated with the library to find reliable sources, organized their ideas in an outline, and wrote articles with ongoing feedback from teachers.
Research and Content/ Poem
Research and Content/ Poem
Inspired by The Explorer and related concepts, students analyzed poetic features and wrote original poems on nature, conservation, and sustainability for publication.
History/
History/
Infographic
Infographic
Using their knowledge about COP16 and sustainability, students created an infographic to organize and share the importance of the event.
Editing, Revising
Editing, Revising
Working cooperatively and with checkpoints, the students reviewed, edited, and took charge of the graphic design to complete the magazine.
Final Product
Final Product
The students agreed on a final product in which each of them had to contribute something and complete a magazine to showcase.
Fifth Grade: How can we, as magazine editors, create a fun and interesting magazine that shows different types of writing while making sure the science information is correct and easy to understand?
Fifth Grade: How can we, as magazine editors, create a fun and interesting magazine that shows different types of writing while making sure the science information is correct and easy to understand?
After working on several experiments, the students voted for the topic that would guide the central theme for many of the activities that helped shape the three magazines: chemical reactions and mixtures. Acting as editors, writers, and researchers, they used a mix of formats—articles, narratives, timelines, and poetry—to make complex ideas engaging and easy to understand. They provided insights on how chemistry can be viewed and learned from different perspectives. Each student implemented a rigorous research and writing process and conducted peer feedback to help their classmates improve their writing. They explored the birth of chemistry, its evolution, and scientists through science and social studies texts and the book The Mystery of the Periodic Table. They strengthened their research and writing skills while learning about the importance of individual and group accountability. The final publications brought science and creativity together, making important topics more accessible and inspiring readers to connect with the natural world.
Reading: The Mystery of the Periodic Table
Reading: The Mystery of the Periodic Table
Provocation / Challenge
Provocation / Challenge
The students did several laboratory experiments to observe chemical reactions and mixtures, and they decided on which topic they wanted to make the publication. They looked at different types of magazines and explored the purposes of the publications.
Research and Content/ Article
Research and Content/ Article
They selected a research question, went to the sources, created an outline, and consolidated an article.
Research and Content/ Poem
Research and Content/ Poem
Each student was assigned an element from the periodic table and studied poems in order to write about their element using research and poem structure.
Civilizations/ Timeline
Civilizations/ Timeline
Through the book and studying access to knowledge in ancient civilizations, they organized the events on a timeline and had to design a proper layout to include it in the publication.
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
In the study of civilizations and through reading the book, the students encountered several scientists and used their experiences to write creatively from their perspective.
Editing, Revising
Editing, Revising
Receiving feedback from different people at the school and support from the Arts department, the students carried out the full revision, editing, and layout of their magazines.
Final Product
Final Product
They worked in groups to organize all the material and make decisions about the publication in order to answer the question posed at the beginning.
On May 28, during our "Dia Integral", our students had the chance to share their process and final products with the seventh graders. At the end of the presentations, we asked the seventh graders to share their opinions about the magazines and the process the fifth graders shared. Here are some of the things they wrote:
The kids showed they really knew the topic they were talking about.
We were impressed by the creativity that the kids used to connect the topics and the periodic table with daily things. We were also impressed by their ability to write such good texts.
They know more than us.
I was very impressed by their project, as it integrated in a very harmonious way various concepts.
The 5th graders are learning similar things to the 7th graders.
The order and dedication are seen in the quality of the presentation.
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