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    FAQ Page

    What is project-based learning?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Project-Based Learning
    Inquiry Process

    FAQ Page

    How can I improve the quality of students' questions?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Inquiry Process
    Questioning
    Planning
    Researching
    Creating
    Improving
    Presenting

    FAQ Page

    What are literacy skills?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Literacy Skills
    Succeeding in School
    Studying
    Reading to Learn
    Building Vocabulary
    Writing to Learn
    Taking Tests
    Information Literacy
    Media Literacy
    Technology Literacy
    Visual Literacy
    Financial Literacy
    Succeeding in the Workplace

    FAQ Page

    How can students judge sources from the Internet?

    FAQ Page

    What is inquiry?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Inquiry Process
    Questioning
    Planning
    Researching
    Creating
    Improving
    Presenting

    FAQ Page

    What kinds of inquiry experiences can I use?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Inquiry Process
    Project-Based Learning

    FAQ Page

    Where can I see PBL in action?

    21st Century Skills: 
    Project-Based Learning
    Writing Project
    Graphing Project
    Web Project
    Performing Project
    Audio-Visual Project
    Community Project
    Inquiry Process

    FAQ Page

    What are the qualities of writing?

    English Language Arts: 
    Qualities of Writing
    Structure
    Ideas
    Conventions

    Student Writing Model

    Jet Bikes

    Fifth-grader Ethan moves the reader smoothly through his personal narrative with transition words like first, then, also, so far, and when.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Goals
    Work
    Money
    Life
    Sports
    Exercise

    Student Writing Model

    Rules

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Isabel. In the second paragraph, Isabel adds interest and humor to her writing by including her personal comments in parentheses.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Rules
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    My Mother

    Fourth-grader Abigail wrote an essay that describes how great her mother is. She includes both serious and fun reasons!

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Essay
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    Ann

    Kendra, a fourth grader, submitted this model in which she shares a very personal experience.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Love
    Life
    Fun
    Play

    Student Writing Model

    Indy’s Life Story

    Elliot, a fifth grader, submitted the model that this narrative is based on. Elliot shares the details of his personal experience in chronological order, just as they happened. He ends his narrative with good feelings about his dog.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    My Favorite Place to Go

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Mia. She uses some vivid verbs and sensory details—“devour juicy caramel-covered apples,” “crisp fall breeze,” “soft spring trickles of rain splashing the sidewalks,” “warm summer sun”—to help the reader experience her favorite place.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Description
    Theme: 
    Family
    Travel
    Environment
    Fun
    Nature
    People
    Play
    Recreation
    Transportation

    Student Writing Model

    Shadow Fort

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Amy. She explains her favorite place by telling (1) how she built the fort and (2) a special time she spent there with a hurt friend.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Description
    Theme: 
    Friends
    Play
    Environment

    Student Writing Model

    Adopting a Pet from the Pound

    This model is based on an essay submitted by fourth-grader Kristyn. She clearly states her opinion in the first paragraph. Then she shares a supporting reason in each of the middle paragraphs.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Editorial
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Letter to the Editor

    Fifth-grader Melissa clearly states her opinion in the first paragraph. She shares supporting ideas, with details, in the middle paragraphs. In her conclusion, she restates her opinion in a fresh way.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Persuasive Writing
    Form: 
    Letter to the Editor
    Theme: 
    Education
    Goals
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    A Story of Survival

    Opening with a quotation is a great way to begin a book review. Kelsey, the author, summarizes the plot well without giving away the whole story, and she shows genuine enthusiasm for the story.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Response to Literature
    Form: 
    Book Review
    Theme: 
    Books
    Life
    Environment
    Nature
    Literature

    Student Writing Model

    The Terror of Kansas

    Fifth-grader Ashley begins her story in the middle of the action. After the first paragraph, the reader is hooked and needs to know . . . “What happens next?”

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Environment
    Family
    Life
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Chloe’s Day

    Erin, fifth grade, tells her story from the point of view of her cat. The closing lines bring this adventure full circle.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    The Haunted House

    Fifth-grader Tommy includes lots of details in a story that leads up to a surprise ending.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Fantasy
    Play
    Holidays

    Student Writing Model

    Height-Challenged German Shepherd

    Layton, a fifth grader, grabs the reader’s attention with a couple of questions and a clear picture of what he is planning to talk about in his report. Notice the effective use of humor in the final paragraph.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Deer Don’t Need to Flee to Stay Trouble-Free!

    Dylan, the fourth-grade writer of this model, concludes the report by repeating the main points he explained in the body.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    I Am Attean

    Nicholas, the fifth-grade author of this model, uses repetition effectively in a poem about a young Native American facing the realities of his time.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Community
    Culture
    History

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