Oceanography
Topic

5th Grade Webquest

Creating a Picture Book

Introduction:

The Woodshole Institute in Falmouth, Massachusetts is holding a nation wide picture book contest. There will be three separate contests grouped as follows: K-1, 2-3, 4-5. The institute is asking elementary aged children to create an oceanography ABC picture book. This book will be read by children of all ages. In order to create your picture book you will first need to read Into the A,B, Sea: An Ocean Alphabet, The Ocean Alphabet Book, and The Boat Alphabet Book. As you read these books, you should look at the book format, the illustrations, and the author’s style of writing. You will need to research the ocean with your partner and pick a topic for your book.

The Task:

Your job is to create an ABC book about an ocean topic of your choice for grades 4-5. You will read the required books listed in the introduction as well as a variety of other ABC books. As you read remember to study the author’s style of writing, the layout of the book, and illustrations. In addition to reading the oceanography books, you will be required to use the internet and encyclopedias.

After analyzing several books:

• Choose a topic with your partner.
• Gather information and illustrations for this topic.
• Find a subject or a term for each letter of the alphabet that relates to your topic.
• Decide on the format (layout) of your book.
• Type and illustrate the final copy.
• Be sure to design a cover.

The Process:

1. You will work with a partner.

2. Each member must have three roles. Choose two roles from below, in addition to each of you researching and gathering information for your book.

• Editor- proofreads all written work checking for spelling, grammar and fluency.
• Writer-checks to makes sure all of the letters of the alphabet are included and accurately written.
• Illustrator-makes sure that each letter has an appropriate illustration to go along with it.
• Publisher-makes sure pages are typed, in order and that there is a title page. A cover must also be included.

3. You and your partner need to research oceanography and choose a topic for your book. Some topics could be: tide pools, coral reefs, sailing, history of ship building, ocean safety, sea kelp, currents, waves, food chain, etc.

4. Divide the letters of the alphabet in half. Each partner should have 13 letters to research. You should include 4 – 5 sentences of text for each letter. Next, figure out how you will lay out your book. Create a rough draft of your work including an illustration for each letter.

5. Using the computer type one letter per page. You need to decide where the letters and text will be placed on each page. Next, you will decide where the illustrations should go.

6. How you illustrate your book should be discussed with your partner. Will you use crayons, magic markers or colored pencils? You might even decide to import graphics off of the computer. Remember you want the illustrations to be coordinated with the text and appealing to the reader.

7. Decide on a cover for your book. It should be related to your topic.

8. Read your book with your partner, to your peers and to students in a lower grade before you enter it into the contest.

Resources:

Books:

Usborne Book of Ocean Facts – Anita Ganeri
The Boat Alphabet Book – Jerry Pallotta
The Ocean Alphabet Book – Jerry Pallotta
Eye Witness “Seashore” – Steve Parker
Into the A, B, Sea: An Ocean Alphabet – Deborah Lee Rose
Look Closer “Shoreline” – Barbara Taylor

Internet:

Evaluation:

Please click here to see the rubric for this project.

Conclusion:

Congratulations your book has been selected by the Woodshole Institute!! You, your partner, and each of your families will be given an all expense paid trip to Woodshole to be presented with an award by the head oceanogapher and a $5,000 savings bond. In addition to this you will also enjoy a 1 week stay on Martha’s Vineyard. Congratulations for your hard work!