History+of+the+Zines

Once upon a time, fifth grade teachers discovered a way to integrate writing, research, science, and technology. Thus, the Zines were born!

 * 1) The First Year
 * 2) The Zine project spanned 2-3 months and complied numerous skills, such as: research, writing, reading, and the use of technology.
 * 3) Students were allowed to choose any topic of their interest.
 * 4) Zines emerged to teach all three modes of writing (informational, narrative, and persuasive) with explicit, authentic instruction.
 * 5) The Second Year
 * 6) Year Two saw some changes, as teachers looked for a way to integrate more curriculum to include science (environmental and animal science units)
 * 7) Laptop carts became available for fifth grade, making it more accessible to use technology as a tool for learning and to integrate research and the final publication of the Zines.
 * 8) Park Forest Elementary's Schoolyard became the integrating context.
 * 9) The Third Year
 * 10) Writing instruction is fully integrated into the Environmental and Animal Kingdom units.
 * 11) The Zines now integrate most technology instruction.
 * 12) Topic selections are limited to organisms found within the schoolyard.