Procedure

Procedure for introducing primary/elementary PEPs

Before you begin:

Choose a PEP form that works best for you.

Collect books and other animal resources so they are available to students for research.

Find 3 or more websites students can use to learn about animals.

Make a proficient example of the project.

Assure that each student has a copy of his or her own profiles.

Day 1 (a detailed copy of the PEP is attached – you will need to put into the format you like best) Pass out a blank PEP form to each student. Display the same form on your overhead, elmo or smartboard (lucky) Have each student find the applicable standard in their own levels (you will need to monitor this. Non readers can still point and mimic following along.) Unpack the standards – explain in student friendly terms, what it means. This should be brief. Fill in the PEP form and have students copy the information onto their own form. (Depending on the skill level of your students you may want to fill in some or all of the form for them, ahead of time.) Have each student store their completed PEP form in a designated place. Stress that they are responsible for keeping track of it.

Day2 Students should have their PEP form in front of them. Share your example with the class. Introduce the rubric and how it will be used to score their project. Discuss that you will be doing step one. Brainstorm a list of animals. Have each student choose one animal to research. Make sure to celebrate the fact that they have completed on step.

Day 3-4 Allow students to use books and internet to ‘research’ the animal of their choice. You may want to model research techniques you are expecting.

Day 5 Provide materials for students to draw a picture of their animal, and write about it. Plan to be very involved in the writing segment. You will need to plan to be available to take dictation from Level 1 students.

Day 6 Students present their project and are scored on the rubric.