Sometimes a new twist on an old assignment can change everything! Take a look at a birthday card for Copernicus, the mathematician and astronomer, written by a 10 year old.

The assignment: Research three facts about a historical figure. Incorporate those facts into a birthday card written by someone they knew.

The result: Searching for sources of information. Reading and discerning good facts to use. Choosing the “voice” for the speaker. Integrating facts in a meaningful way into a birthday card message.

Verdict? Tons of fun! Kids asking if they could do more! More reading and writing, you say? Of course!

Reading Genres

About the Author

Joanne Meier has more than 20 years of experience in the field of education, including serving on the faculty at the University of Virginia for six years where she trained reading specialists and future classroom teachers. Dr. Meier was Reading Rockets’ research-to-practice consultant from 2002 to 2014, where she wrote the Page by Page blog — sharing best practices in supporting young readers at home and in the classroom.

Publication Date
February 20, 2013

Related Topics

Activities, Content Area Literacy, Struggling Readers, Writing
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