In order to answer their questions I had students break into 3 small groups. Each group would get a different photocopied chapter of a non-fiction book or article about Iraq or the culture. The groups would read their non-fiction text and record their learning on a sheet. The groups would then present what they learned to the other 2 groups and I would chart their understandings on a piece of chart paper. This method helped students understand the purpose of reading non-fiction as well as build an interest in reading to learn and understand. It also helped answer most of the students questions.
The result of this process was a floor to ceiling length list of facts about Iraqi culture, history, people and the current war.
Tags: 2nd grade, ASL, Education, Integrating Curricula, Iraq, Materials, Sign Language, Social Justice, War
