ELA G1:M3

Growing as Researchers: Birds’ Amazing Bodies

Each module is approximately 6-8 weeks of instruction broken into 3 units. The "week at a glance" chart in the curriculum map gives the big picture, breaking down the module into a detailed week-by-week view. It shows how the module unfolds, the focus of each week of instruction, and where the six assessments and the performance task occur.

View the module overview

Weeks 1–2 Unit 1: Learning to Read Informational Texts: Building Background Knowledge about Birds

Lesson #	Instructional Focus	CCS Standards	Assessments
Week 1	Noticing and wondering about birds Building background knowledge: What makes a bird a bird? Reading aloud: Birds and Just Ducks Reading aloud to research bird colors and beaks with the text Birds (Scholastic Discover More) Launching Birds Research notebooks	RI.1.2 RI.1.3 RI.1.5 RI.1.7 RI.1.9 W.1.8 SL.1.1a SL 1.1b SL.1.2 L.1.1f L.1.4 L.1.5d	N/A
Week 2	Reading aloud to research bird feathers, feet, beaks and birds of prey: Birds (Scholastic Discover More) Continued writing and drawing in Birds Research notebooks Independent writing: Final annotated bird drawing Science Talk: What makes a bird a bird?	RI.1.2 RI.1.3 RI.1.4 RI.1.5 RI.1.7 RI.1.9 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a SL.1.1b SL.1.2 L.1.1f L.1.5d	Unit 1 Assessment: Informational Reading Short Response about Birds (RI.1.1, RI.1.2, RI.1.3, RI.1.4, RI.1.5, RI.1.7)

weeks 3-6 Unit 2: Building Research Skills: Birds’ Bodies

Lesson #	Instructional Focus	CCS Standards	Assessments
Week 3	Reading aloud: Flight School Whole class research: Feathers, Not Just for Flying Independent writing: Scientific drawing in Birds Research notebook Shared writing: How do birds use their feathers to survive?	RI.1.2 RI.1.4 RI.1.5 RI.1.6 RI.1.7 RI.1.8 W.1.2 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a SL.1.1b SL.1.2 L.1.1f L.1.1g L. 1.4	N/A
Week 4	Reading aloud to research and take notes: Beaks! Independent Writing: Birds Research notebook Developing Language: Shades of Meaning Charades and Vocabulary Volleyball Science Talk: How do birds use their beaks to survive?	RI.1.2 RI.1.4 RI.1.5 RI.1.6 RI.1.7 RI.1.8 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a L.1.1b L.1.1g SL.1.2 L.1.1f L.1.5d	N/A
Week 5	Zipper song using shades of meaning with verbs Research writing Beak challenges Science Talk: How do birds use their body parts to survive?	W.1.2 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a L.1.1f L.1.5d	Unit 2 Assessment, Part I; Research Writing: How birds' Bodies Help Them Survive (W.1.2, W.1.7) Formative Assessment: Shades of Meaning with Verbs (L.1.5d)
Week 6	Research writing Sharing our writing	W.1.2 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a SL.1.1b SL.1.2 L.1.1.f L.1.5d	Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Research Writing about Birds' Body Parts (W.1.2, W.1.7)

Weeks 7-9 Unit 3: Writing to Show Our Research: Building Expertise about Birds’ Bodies

Lesson #	Instructional Focus	CCS Standards	Assessments
Week 7	Riddle Discussion protocol Analyzing models and generating criteria for Expert Bird Riddle card and Expert Bird Scientific Drawing card Reading independently to research expert birds Scientific drawing of expert birds	RI.1.1 RI.1.5 RI.1.6 RI.1.7 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1c SL.1.2 SL.1.3 SL.1.5	N/A
Week 8	Interactive Word Wall protocol Reading aloud to research and take notes about expert birds Expert Bird Riddle card Giving and receiving feedback on riddle cards	RI.1.5 RI.1.6 RI.1.7 W.1.5 W.1.7 W.1.8 SL.1.1 SL.1.1a SL.1.1c SL.1.2 SL.1.3 SL.1.4 L.1.1 L.1.2 L.1.2b L.1.2d L.1.2e SL.1.5 L.1.1f L.1.1g	Unit 3 Assessment: Science Talk (SL.1.1c, SL.1.5)
Week 9	Expert Bird Riddle card End of module reflection Celebration of Learning	SL.1.4 SL.1.6	Performance Task: Bird Riddle Cards and Scientific Drawing cards (W.1.5, W.1.7, L.1.1.f, L.1.1.g, L.1.2.b, L.1.2e)

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