Elementary Super Scientists: Categorization & Creating an All About Animals Book
In this 8 week class, students will learn how to use facts to categorize and describe animals to create their own "All About Animals" book about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, aquatic invertebrates, and insects.
Elizabeth Gervais, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(159)
What's included
8 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students may choose to continue adding to their book or finish the assigned pages that we began in class.Assessment
Students will be assessed on their participation in class and their finished book/ each section that is completed throughout the week.Class Experience
US Grade 1 - 4
In this weekly science class and nonfiction writing class students will learn about different types of animals and will work together to write an 'All About Animals' book with nonfiction text features like a table of contents, maps, diagrams, labels, pictures, captions, illustrations, bold print, and a glossary. Each class will begin with greetings, an animal sort or opening question. Next, students will then take out their weekly packet and we go through each section. Each section will include different text features for the students to choose and personalize their book and will work together in timed sections to learn about the attributes of the animal of the week and fill in the week's assigned animal section of their book together as guided practice. Then, students will have extra time to choose additional sections or may work on or they may add in extra fun facts that they already know about each animal section. Each animal section will include labels with the parts of the animal, pictures of different examples of each type of animal, spaces for captions, illustration of their favorite animal that we learned about this week, and an informational paragraph that tells the main attributes of each animal. Finally, we will close with each person sharing something they learned today or showing their favorite part of their book so far. Parent support may be needed for struggling readers and as needed for using scissors with a glue stick for choosing their illustrations or text features to add to the book. Weekly Schedule: Week 1 : Animal Traits and Classifications [Creating the Cover, Table of Contents, and Glossary] Week 2: Section 1: Mammals Week 3: Section 2: Birds Week 4: Section 3: Reptiles Week 5: Section 4: Amphibians Week 6: Section 5: Fish Week 7: Section 6: Aquatic Invertebrates Week 8 Section 7: Insects
Learning Goals
Students will learn about the defining attributes of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, aquatic invertebrates, and insects. Students will also learn about nonfiction text features and how to include them into their own informational text about animals to record their learning.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Animal Traits and Classifications
In this lesson, we will learn about nonfiction texts and animal classifications. We will create a cover, table of contents, and begin a glossary that includes important animal traits. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Section 1: Mammals
In this lesson, we will learn and write about mammals. We will also add important terms to our glossary and learn how to incorporate nonfiction text features to make our books extra interesting! 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Section 2: Birds
In this lesson, we will learn and write about birds. We will also add important terms to our glossary and learn how to incorporate nonfiction text features to make our books extra interesting! 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Section 3: Reptiles
In this lesson, we will learn and write about reptiles. We will also add important terms to our glossary and learn how to incorporate nonfiction text features to make our books extra interesting! 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parent support may be needed for struggling readers and as needed for using scissors with a glue stick for choosing their illustrations or text features to add to the book.
Supply List
A teacher created student packet will need to be printed each week before class for students to use in class. Students will also need pencils, scissors, glue stick, colored pencils or crayons, high lighter, construction paper, and erasers.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
159reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Degrees
Master's Degree in Behavioral Science from National University
Master's Degree in Education from National Louis University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Spring Arbor University
Salutations and welcome to Outschool! My name is Elizabeth Gervais, and would love the opportunity to teach your child. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Elementary Education in 2010 at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor Michigan. From there, I worked as a preschool teacher in a bilingual classroom and then went on to earn my Master’s of Education at National Louis University in Chicago, IL while completing the AUSL residency program. I also am a certified 120-hour TESOL teacher through the International Open Academy as of December 2019. In June 2024, I earned my Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy through National University (formerly Northcentral University).
I have tutored different children and adults from preschool early learning opportunities to college algebra and physics since 2005. Furthermore, I have taught preschool through second grade in traditional classroom settings, multiage classrooms ranging from kindergarten to second grade and 3-6th grade, and worked in educational administration for an educational nonprofit and in children’s ministry for over 9 years. Most importantly, I am a homeschool mom to my own middle school and elementary age children following a mix of Charlotte Mason and inquiry-based learning. Outside of this, I am a marriage and family therapy associate who specializes in working with neurodivergent family systems.
My passion is elementary literacy instruction through thematic science or history unit studies combined with focused writer’s workshops and helping my students build their confidence as independent thinkers. In addition, I also enjoy teaching phonics, early reading skills, and numeracy through interactive stories, songs, puppets and crafts with preschool and young elementary students. One of my favorite parts of teaching online is the versatility to work with students at various points in their learning progression and meet them right where they are in a high-interest individualized approach.Reviews
Live Group Course
$150
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
45 min
Completed by 16 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-10
3-9 learners per class
