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Welcome to the Natural Inquirer
Writing Course (12)
Writing the First Sections(Thinking About Science, Thinking About the
Environment)
1. View the template for writing an article (next 2 slides). A .rtf document containing the template is available on the “Radio: Babs” section of the Natural Inquirer Web site.
2. Download and save the template, using a descriptive filename and today’s date (reflecting the article topic, i.e., “Wood and steel doors, 100108”).
3. Type your descriptive title at the top of the template document and you are ready to go!
When you have your article and you are at your computer….
Article Template (Available in .rtf on NI Web site)[Descriptive title and date]
Meet the Scientists
[Dr. Swank]: My favorite science experience is/was…. (do this for all scientists)
Glossary
Thinking About Science
Thinking About the Environment
Introduction
Reflection Section
Methods
Reflection Section
Findings
Reflection Section
Discussion
Reflection Section
Continued on next slide….
Article Template (in Word, continued)
This article was adapted from [(you can fill this out with the article citation)]
FACTivity
Correlation to National Science Education Standards
Using a template gives you a place to put text as you get ideas and information.
After you have read your article numerous times, taken notes, researched terms and concepts, decided on your
storyline, and saved your template, you are ready to write….
Thinking About Science
Thinking About the Environmentand
Note that you can also complete other sections of the template, such as the
scientist’s (s’) names and the article citation (near the end of the template).
It is best to complete as much as possible at the beginning.
It will help to have a few Natural Inquirers with you to use as examples. These two sections (TAS and TAE) should be no longer than 2 short paragraphs, and
one paragraph is better. This is sometimes not possible. You may need more than
2 paragraphs. Remember, however, that briefer is better!
Thinking About Science introduces a scientific concept from the article. If you need help thinking of ideas, revisit Session 5, The Scientific Process
Slideshow.
Thinking About the Environment introduces an environmental concept from the article. This is where G. Tyler Miller’s book, other science books, or .gov and .edu websites may help you. The environmental concept you
introduce here should be aligned with your chosen storyline.
Remember….
Keep sentences and paragraphs short.
Use the simplest word possible.
Use proper grammar.
Remember your middle school audience.
Connect students to your topic by tapping into their experience.
Stick to your storyline. (“That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!”)
Integrate disciplines.
Think at multiple scales.
Stay close to the original article.
Now it’s time to begin writing!
Good luck!
If you have glossary words that need to be listed, provide diacritical marks and definitions before you move to the
next section. Check the existing NI glossary before writing your own. (Why reinvent the wheel?)
When you are ready for a review, send your .rtf document to Babs at
You are on your way!
