Subject: ELA (English Language Arts)

Lesson Length: 2 - 3 class sessions

Topic: Short Research Project, Informational Writing

Grade Level: 4, 5

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Students will conduct a short research project about a topic. Students will create a comic to demonstrate their understanding of the researched topic of their choice.

Know Before You Start: This lesson will provide students with the opportunity to conduct a short research project. You can customize the research requirements to meet your goals.

Hook:

  • Read and discuss the sample comic.
    • Which facts do you find interesting?
    • What do you notice about the organization of the comic?
  • Point out that the comic includes: 
    • An introduction panel
    • Five key facts about the topic
    • A conclusion
  • Explain that this is a simple framework for informational writing.

Activity:

  • Have students select a topic or choose from a list of topics provided by the teacher. 
  • Allow students time to research the topic, this may take one or two class sessions.
  • When their research is completed, have students create a seven-panel comic including an introduction, five facts, and conclusion.

Closure:

  • Allow students to share their comics with the class or in groups.
  • Combine the comics to create a class book.

Differentiation:

  • Print out panels or provide a graphic organizer for research.
  • Provide text at a student’s independent reading level or provide an audio recording.
  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
  • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
  • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.

Resources: