We have read a few texts about beavers this year, including a Scholastic News issue and a big book about animals' teeth. So before we began reading Busy Beavers, we started a class KWL chart. This is a chart where we brainstorm what we already know (K) and what we are wondering (W). The second graders displayed great prior knowledge and also asked some terrific questions.
We read the book and noticed that it answered some of our questions, but not all of them. So students split into groups of 4 with each person researching one of the unanswered questions.
After finding the answer and taking notes, each student shared what he or she learned within the small group. With Jigsaw style cooperative learning, everyone gets all the answers, but only has to research one question and then listen to peers teach them the rest!
Ask your second grade beaver expert for some information on this hard working mammal!
