2nd Grade Writing - Favorite Animal

===== VERSION 1: APPROACHING GRADE LEVEL =====
(For students working on foundational writing skills)

Write About Your Favorite Animal - With Help

My favorite animal is the _____________________.

Use these sentence starters to help you:

Sentence 1 (What it looks like):

• My favorite animal is _________________ because _________________.
• The _________________ has _________________.
• I like the _________________ because it is _________________.

Sentence 2 (What it does):

• This animal can _________________.
• It likes to _________________.
• The _________________ can _________________.

Sentence 3 (Why I like it):

• I like this animal because _________________.
• It makes me feel _________________.
• This animal is special because _________________.

Word Bank (Use these words to help you):
cute, big, small, fluffy, fast, soft, funny, strong, colorful, smart, friendly, fun

===== VERSION 2: ON GRADE LEVEL =====
(For students working at grade-level expectations)

Write About Your Favorite Animal

Write 3 sentences about your favorite animal.

In your sentences, tell:

1. What your favorite animal is
2. What it looks like or what it does
3. Why you like this animal

Remember to:

• Start each sentence with a capital letter
• End each sentence with a period
• Use your best handwriting

===== VERSION 3: ADVANCED =====
(For students ready for additional challenge)

Write About Your Favorite Animal - Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your favorite animal. Make your writing interesting and descriptive!

In your sentences, include:

1. What your favorite animal is and one interesting fact about it
2. Describe what it looks like using describing words (adjectives)
3. Explain why this animal is special to you

CHALLENGE: Try to use:

• At least TWO describing words (soft, fuzzy, colorful, enormous, tiny, etc.)
• At least ONE word that tells HOW the animal does something (quickly, quietly, gracefully, etc.)
• A comparison to make your writing more interesting (examples: “as fast as a race car” or “softer than a cloud”)

Example: The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. It has beautiful spotted fur and long, powerful legs. I love cheetahs because they run as fast as a race car and look so graceful when they chase their prey.

TEACHER NOTES:

• Version 1 (Approaching): Sentence starters, word bank, clear structure with numbered prompts, blanks to scaffold sentence formation
• Version 2 (On-Grade): Original assignment with basic reminders about sentence conventions
• Version 3 (Advanced): Descriptive language expectations, comparison/figurative language challenge, model example provided

Recommended groups:

• Version 1: Students needing writing scaffolds, ELL students, students with IEPs requiring sentence frames
• Version 2: Students writing independently at grade level
• Version 3: Students who complete writing quickly, advanced writers ready for descriptive language challenges

All versions address Common Core Writing Standards:

• W.2.3: Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events
• L.2.1: Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing

Time estimates:

• Version 1: 15-20 minutes with word bank and sentence starter support
• Version 2: 10-15 minutes
• Version 3: 15-20 minutes (includes challenge components and revision)