PROJECT DESCRIPTION
INSTRUCTORS
SCHOOL SITE
LEVEL
SUBJECTS
Why is it important to have access to books? How can we help our community get access to books?
Being able to read is more than a way to stay entertained, it is a gateway into the world. During this project, second grade students at HTeNC investigated literacy and the importance of access to books, through designing, building, installing, and filling a little library to serve the community.
During this project, students used a variety of resources to research ways children around the world and locally access books, as well as the way access to books can affect a community. Second graders then researched community locations where access to books are limited, and paired with a preschool in these areas to help create a book sharing program on their campus. Students learned from architects and went through the blueprint and critique process to create and build a small free standing structure to serve as the Free Library. Students looked at what makes an effective library, and used data collected on the book preferences of children at the preschool to paint and fill the libraries. Second graders also studied different types of literature and explored illustration techniques as they worked in groups to write high quality and engaging books to include in the library. Students raised money for the materials required by designing and selling shirts that promoted literacy. This was a 19 week project broken into two distinct segments to better narrow the focus the various elements of the project.
Individual blueprints and wooden book box, class blueprints and freestanding little library, published fantasy books in small groups
Students will understand the affect access to books has on literacy, and why literacy is important. They will understand different ways to access books around the world and in our community. They will identify a “book desert” in our community and work to bring access to books to that area. Students will learn from experts how to use the draft and critique process to make blueprints and use them to build. Students will also go through the writing process to publish a book.
Architect expert to help with blueprint creation and critique, Woodworking expert to help students build the structures, Learn from a children’s book author, Connection with preschool students where library will be installed
Math
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1 Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.B.5 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as drawings of rulers) and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1 Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces.1 Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes.
Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.3 Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
Reading
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
Speaking and Listening
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.