Non-Fiction Sierra Nevada Animal Books

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Ashley Cooper
School Site
Glenshire Elementary
Grant Category
Misc.
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

In second grade, students are transitioning from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." This spring, our class will transform into a team of wildlife biologists for our Informational Writing unit. Each student will choose a Sierra Nevada Local Legend such as the Mountain Lion, the Pika, or the Golden Trout—to research, analyze, and write about in an original expert book.

To make this project a success, we need a library of high-interest, non-fiction mentor texts. These books need to feature large-scale photography, clear headings, and helpful glossaries that allow second graders to practice independent research and information gathering.  

 

Benefits of Program

High-quality non-fiction books are essential for 2nd graders as they transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." By providing vivid, age-appropriate texts about Sierra Nevada wildlife, we give students the tools to master key text features—like glossaries and captions—while building the sophisticated scientific vocabulary required by Common Core standards. These books serve as vital "mentor texts," transforming a standard writing project into a purposeful investigation of their own local environment. Most importantly, these resources bridge the gap for all reading levels, using high-interest imagery and accessible facts to build the stamina and confidence 7-year-olds need to become independent researchers and proud, published authors.

 

Success of Program

The culmination of this project will be the publication of student-authored informational reports. Utilizing the requested non-fiction texts as their primary research source, each second grader will write a comprehensive expert book on a specific Sierra Nevada animal. These papers will go beyond simple facts; students will be tasked with organizing their writing into professional sections, including a detailed physical description of their animal, an analysis of its natural habitat, and a breakdown of its diet and predators. By synthesizing information from their books into these specific categories, students will demonstrate mastery of informational writing and structural organization, turning their curiosity about the Sierra Nevada into a polished piece of scientific communication.

 

Implementation

This curated library will become a cornerstone of our second-grade curriculum, serving as a permanent resource for our annual Sierra Nevada research cycle. Each spring, these books will be used to guide students through a structured inquiry process, moving from initial curiosity to a formal, multi-paragraph informational paper. To celebrate their hard work and solidify their learning, the project will conclude with a Wilderness Writers Gallery. During this event, students will act as experts, presenting their final papers and visual findings to their peers, families, and the school community. By investing in these high-quality texts now, you are ensuring that future classes will also have the opportunity to develop these essential research skills while fostering a deep, lasting connection to our local environment.

 

 

 

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

To maximize the reach of this grant, these resources will be shared across all second-grade classrooms, ensuring that every student in the grade level has equitable access to high-quality research materials. Since our entire second-grade team synchronizes this Sierra Nevada animal project each spring, these books will serve as a centralized research hub. This collaborative approach not only fosters a shared academic experience for all 7 and 8-year-olds at our school but also ensures that these books are utilized to their fullest potential by about 60 students every single year.

Sustainability
This grant represents a one-time investment with a multi-year impact. Because the California Common Core State Standards for second-grade informational writing (**W.2.2**) and the Next Generation Science Standards for habitats and adaptations (**2-LS4-1**) are permanent pillars of our curriculum, these books will remain essential tools year after year. Unlike digital subscriptions that expire or consumable workbooks that must be replaced, this high-quality non-fiction library will serve as a durable, foundational resource for our second-grade team. By funding these books now, you are ensuring that hundreds of future students will have the exact same opportunity to master these critical academic benchmarks through the lens of our local Sierra Nevada environment.
Amount Funded
$1000.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$1000 - Sierra Nevada Animal Books
File Uploads
Animal Report Choices.pdf (38.54 KB)