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== =The Zine Team's mission is to motivate students to write by using our Schoolyard and to integrate components of Science, Writing, Technology, and Research into one authentic masterpiece!=

===Beginning in late fall, fifth graders at Park Forest Elementary start the process by thinking of their topic and completing research. During this time, students may use technology to research their topic, take notes, and exercise proper citation techniques. Once research is complete, students learn how to write an informative piece by using a four-square graphic organizer. Students, then, transform their notes into well-written paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences. After their informative piece is complete, students begin working on their persuasive. For this piece, students advocate readers to take a stand and support their opinion or argument related to their topic ! Students develop three reasons readers should support them and back them up with at least three facts or examples. After their persuasive writing is perfected, students use their imaginations to create a narrative! Fifth graders utilize the main parts of a story (characters, setting, and plot) to create their own story! Students know their stories are complete when they have a beginning, middle, and end!===