Writing a very basic compare/contrast essay "James and the Giant Peach"

Cross-Curricular Activity: Exploring the Animal Kingdom through "James and the Giant Peach

Main Objective: To integrate Science and Literacy by studying the animal kingdom with a focus on the characters from "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl. Our students will learn about various animals, their characteristics, habitats, and behaviours, while also engaging in writing and comprehension activities related to the book.

Subjects Involved: Science & Literacy.

Introduction to the Animal Kingdom and "James and the Giant Peach"

Science: Victoria's Lesson on Animal Classification:

• Introduction to the basic classification of animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates).
• Discuss key characteristics of each group.
• Activity: Create a DICHOTOMOUS KEY.

Literacy: "James and the Giant Peach.": discussing the main characters and setting.

TASK DEVELOPMENT

• Activity with MARÍA JOSÉ and Marina: Create character charts/VENN Diagrams for the assigned insects (invertebrates) he meets (Grasshopper, Spider, Ladybug, Centipede, Earthworm).
• ACTIVITY with Marina and VICTORIA: Dichotomous Key.

Materials: The task is based on CHAPTER 25 of our #alqareading Book: James and the Giant Peach. In adition, the students must bring to class the collection of data they had found during their research.

Organisation of the Activity: Animals about which our students looked for information.

1. EARTHWORM: Adrián, Hugo, Daniel F., Irene, Alba, Daniela, Álvaro, Berta, Victoria
2. LADYBIRD: Sara, Mario Díaz, Lucía, Paula G., Adriana, Paula P., Simón, Nacho, 
3. SPIDER: Candela, Mario Duque, Elena, Joel, Luna, Daniel R., Alonso, Carolina

DURING THE LITERACY LESSON, the instructions about how to structure a compare and contrast essay were provided.

How to structure a Compare and Contrast Essay 

Planning Phase: PRE-WRITING

We will use a Venn Diagram (or a simple chart with three rows) to organise the information from the book and from wikipedia.

A Venn Diagram will help us find the best possible options for our essay. 

Then, we will use the Hamburger-like structure for the format of our essay in which each ingredient of the hamburger represents a different paragraph of the essay. It starts with an introduction paragraph and ends with a conclusion paragraph, represented by the top and bottom buns, respectively:

- Introduction: Upper Bum

- Body: the ingredients (two layers/two paragraphs)

- Conclusion: bottom bum