Research begins with taking notes. A note is a few words that capture an important fact, written in the researcher's own words instead of copied. A second grader who learns to read a short text and jot down what it says has learned the first step of every report. This worksheet gives a short card about an animal and three labelled boxes: what the animal looks like, where it lives, and one fun fact.
The child reads the card, thinks about what it says, and writes a short note in each box. The notes do not have to be whole sentences, but they should tell the facts and not copy the card word for word. Ask your child to cover the card after reading and say what they remember; then write that down.
What your child will learn
Read a short text and find the important facts
Write a note in your own words
Sort facts under labels such as looks like and lives in
Common Core standard: W.2.7
Worked example
Card: A frog has smooth skin and bulging eyes. Frogs live near ponds. Looks like: smooth skin, big eyes. Lives in: near ponds.
Common mistake
Copying the whole card instead of writing a short note.
Helpful hint
Read the card, cover it, and write what you remember.
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