Summary
Finding fact in fiction can be a fun way for students to connect what they are learning in science with literature. Students chose a fiction book of their choice with the help of the school librarians, read the book, and then in report form cite and summarize the story. Students must identify 10 life science concepts in the story for which they gave an explanation of its meaning and its relation to our life science curriculum. In addition, they review the results of a marketing survey given to two classes of 5th grade students at Pinchbeck Elementary, and then use these results to help them create a digital promotional advertisement for their book. Many of these advertisements will be with the 5th graders in hopes of increasing their interest for reading and for science.
TIPC Ratings
Research & Information Fluency
Rating: Developing – Explanation: This was not a focus of this lesson, but students used the market research survey results in developing their promotional ads and also used the library search to find a book for the assignment.
Communication & Collaboration
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: This lesson fits into the ideal category for communication and collaboration. Students worked on this project individually but with the intention of creating an advertisement that will be shared with many grade 5 students, hoping to promote the love of reading and science. The students worked beyond the school walls with the use of Google Surveys. They also used the information that they received from their Market Research to drive their creation of advertisements. These advertisements were shared with students in other schools.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Rating: Approaching – Explanation: Students were to use their knowledge of life science concepts to be able to identify examples of some in the fictional story while reading the novel. Then, they not only had to explain how the concept was used in the story but had to relate the science concept to our life science curriculum
Creativity & Innovation
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: The students had an opportunity to show their creative side by the creation of a promotional advertisement to attract fifth grade students to both reading and science. The students were creating an advertisement to promote the book they had read for this project. White some guidance was given as to the digital tools for which the students could use, but they ultimately did decide which tool to use to create the ad.
Lesson Materials
