DESCRIPTION

Take Grade 2 writers from a wonder question to a finished, published Research Book in just 3 weeks with this complete, ready-to-teach informational writing unit. Every lesson is fully planned, every student resource is print-ready, and the 108-slide deck means you open the file and teach.

Students choose a research topic, build a Wonder Wall of questions, read real nonfiction sources, take notes in their own words, plan and draft a multi-page Research Book with headings, bold vocabulary, and labeled diagrams, write a conclusion, edit and publish using the Editing Checklist, and share their finished book at the Research Showcase.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

108-slide lesson deck (PPTX + PDF). 12 complete lessons, 9 slides each. Slide types include: Lesson Divider, Learning Target, Hook, Mini-Lesson 1, Mini-Lesson 2, Try Together, Your Turn, Share and Close, and Coming Up. Every slide is branded and ready to project.

Unit Overview PDF (13 pages). Cover page with Unit at a Glance, plus one full lesson plan page for each of the 12 lessons. Each lesson page includes: Learning Target, Success Criteria (3 columns), 30-Minute Lesson Flow with timed activities, Mini-Lesson Framework, Materials, Teacher Notes, and Look Fors (Ready to Research, Needs Support, Extend Thinking).

5 student worksheets. My Wonder Wall (wonder question planning sheet), Note-Taking Sheet 1 and Note-Taking Sheet 2 (Read-Close-Write format for two sources), 7-page Research Book Template (Cover, Introduction, Fact Sections 1-3, Conclusion, My Sources), and Editing Checklist (Complete, Correct, Clear).

Research Book Rubric. 4 criteria scored 1-4 for a total of 16 points. Criteria: Introduction, Research and Details, Text Features, Conclusion. Pastel color-coded by achievement level: Starting (pink), Growing (yellow), Got It (mint), Glowing (blue).

3-page Summative Task. Students independently choose a new topic, take 3 research notes, and write a short research report (Introduction, 2 Fact Sections, Conclusion). Self-assessment checklist included.

Editable Parent Letter (DOCX). One-page letter home introducing the unit, explaining the 3 weeks of learning, and including a Research Showcase date/time/location fill-in.

THE 12 LESSONS

Week 1 – What Is Research Writing?
Lesson 1: What Is Research Writing?
Lesson 2: My Wonder Wall!
Lesson 3: Finding and Using Sources
Lesson 4: Taking Notes – Not Copying

Week 2 – Planning and Drafting My Research Book
Lesson 5: Planning My Research Book
Lesson 6: Writing My Introduction
Lesson 7: Drafting Fact Section 1
Lesson 8: Drafting Fact Sections 2 and 3

Week 3 – Revising, Text Features, and Sharing
Lesson 9: Adding Text Features
Lesson 10: Writing My Conclusion
Lesson 11: Editing and Publishing
Lesson 12: Research Showcase!

STANDARDS COVERED

CCSS W.2.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts
CCSS W.2.5 – Focus on a topic and strengthen writing with guidance
CCSS W.2.7 – Participate in shared research and writing projects
CCSS W.2.