How to fill out the Planning an Explanation Chart

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Follow these instructions to make the chart:

1. Write your title in the box at the top.
2. Beside Purpose or Focus question – What was your Big Idea question? Write the questions here.
3. Beside Headings – What will the headings of your research be? Look through your notes. Think of three headings you could use that all your information in your notes would fit into. Write the headings in the three spaces.
4. Beside Visual features –
   
• What visual features will you use to enhance your final product?
  
• Will you use photographs from a website in your final product? Maps? Diagrams?
  
• Look back at Life in a Pond, Polar Bears, and Blue Whales. How did the author use visuals to enhance the readings? How can you use similar ideas to make your presentation better? Whatever visual features you are going to use, write them down here.
5. Beside Paragraph key ideas – Write important science words you will use in each of the headings you chose. The 1, 2, 3 in the boxes is the same 1, 2, 3 as the headings. You will use these important words as guides when you write your sentences and phrases in your final product.
6. Beside Layout and design – Tell how you will use your chosen format to present your research.
7. Beside Final comments – Is anything missing on this organizer that will be included in your final product? Mention it here.

How to save a file:

1. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
2. Name your Planning an Explanation Chart file in this format: jsmith_planninganexplanationchart and save the file to your Documents folder.

1. The Planning an Explanation Chart is an important step in your research and is NOT for marks.
2. Submit your Planning an Explanation Chart to your teacher and wait for feedback on this part of your research plan.