This document provides instructions for students to practice summarizing non-fiction texts and report writing. Students will select an animal from a list of rare species and summarize information on its location, habitat, physical features, reasons for being endangered, and potential conservation methods. They will then create their own imaginary rare animal using an online tool and write a report presenting the key details about it under the same subheadings. The report should be written in a non-fiction style mirroring examples provided about real rare species.

1. Digital LiteraciesSummarizing Non Fiction and Report WritingKevin Cummins 2010

2. Summarizing TextLast week we looked at Summarizing non fiction Text based around a personal recount from a survivor on board the Titanic and learnt three skills to assist you in dissecting summarizing text to retell information in your own words. They wereHighlighting TextOrganising information in tablesCreating a flowchart of events.www.edgalaxy.com

3. Non Fiction TextIn this lesson you are going to use a selection of non fiction texts based around the worlds rarest animals and your mission is find information on the following areas and summarize it in your own words.LocationHabitatPhysical Features of the AnimalWhy it is endangered and or rare?What can be done to improve the future of this animal?www.edgalaxy.com

4. The TextThe text comes from http://www.animalinfo.org/rarest.htm and you can select any of the animals you like.I would recommend first copying an pasting the text into a word document and then reading and highlighting the text using a different colour for each area such as habitat, Physical Attributes etc. Finally you are to present this information in a table below your highlighted text.www.edgalaxy.com

5. Switcheroo ZooThe next phase of this task is to create an animal of your own using Switcheroo Zoo. You can be as creative as you like with this and be sure to complete all elements of the process including the habitat.Give your animal a title and take a screen grab of it. (Alt = Prt Screen) and then paste it (Ctrl + V) into a word document. This is going to be the newest and rarest animal in the world for which you will write your report on.www.edgalaxy.com

6. Report WritingFinally you are going to create a report on your animal ensuring that you break it into the following sub headings.LocationHabitatPhysical Features of the AnimalWhy it is endangered and or rare?What can be done to improve the future of this animal?You need to remember that you are trying to write a non-fiction piece of writing that others would believe so please ensure you are using appropriate language and a similar style to that which you read earlier about the worlds rarest animalswww.edgalaxy.com

7. Further ReadingFor Further information on report writing please visit www.writingfun.comFor Hundreds of lesson plans and Teaching Ideas please visit www.edgalaxy.comwww.edgalaxy.com