Around the World

Since the beginning of the year, we have been researching our way across the seven continents.  I did not intend for this inquiry project to span over three months but our third grade researchers have so many questions and are learning a ton with each continent.  Through our research and writing we are covering many reading and writing standards, as well as, science and social studies objectives.  For example, we have been studying the patterns of world climate in science.

Let's back up a bit, we started with a question board.  The students generated questions they wanted to answer about each continent.  Then, we categorized the questions.  Students had questions about the location and size of the continents.  For example, what hemispheres is the continent in?  They also wanted to know about famous landmarks and landforms.  I think this may be the students' favorite research topic. Many of the students have quite a list of places they would like to visit.  Better get those passports ready! Of course, animal and plant life was another interesting category.  Last, the students had questions about languages, holidays, and food which we put under the category of culture.

In order to find the answers to all our research questions, we had to dive into nonfiction text.  We've learned about nonfiction text features and how they help us navigate our way through text to find what we need.  One activity we did was called a book pass.  Students passed books around the circle searching for features.  They really know their stuff.  We also played Headbands with the features of nonfiction text.  It was such an entertaining way to learn the features of nonfiction text.

We have charts with notes hung all around the classroom.  Each chart we started together, but the students quickly took over going on their own fact finding missions.  When they found new information about the continent, they used a post-it to share their new knowledge.  Students research each continent using an EPIC collection of books, our school's online encyclopedia subscription, and books from the library.  After they had time to research and take notes, each student filled out a information book about the continent.  We keep all the continent books in our "suitcase."  We will have so much information when this journey is complete.