Nobody likes state-mandated tests, but they’re an unavoidable part of
school life, and that means preparing students to do their best is also a
routine part of the school year.
Here’s a link to a terrific lesson idea that uses Odd Bods: The World’s Unusual
Animals by Julie
Murphy to make the process a little bit more fun and clearly show the
importance of including explanations in a 5-paragraph essay.
“Odd Bods really lightened the mood in my classroom during a stressful
month and lifted the level of my instruction,” says fourth grade teacher Kate
Narita.
I love that Kate uses the name of a beloved cookie—Oreos—to help
her students remember the elements of a 5-paragraph essay and that she used a wonderful nonfiction children’s book as a tool to help students identify an important aspect of nonfiction
writing. When students make a discovery like this on their own, it’s
more likely to stay with them.
Thanks, Kate, for your hard work and dedication.
