The Best Pet Adapted from materials developed by Abby Carter Second Grade Teacher South Todd Elementary Todd Co., KY

2 WritingReading Argument MINI-UNIT Emphasis # of Lessons ARGUMENT SKILLS PRODUCT ELEMENTS OF ARGUMENT CLOSE READING STRATEGIES RESPONSE TO READINGS TOPICS Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect Close reading strategies Writing & talking to develop knowledge on topic or issue Forming an opinion 3 Lessons Entering Skills: Listening for facts from a video text Foundational Skills: Weighing evidence to find the most convincing reasons Product: Draft with introduction, body, and conclusion Researching to back up an opinion Watching video twice to mine it for facts / reasons Reading headings of online articles to find additional reasons Scaffolded writing: introduction, body, and conclusion What is the best pet? 1shared reading (video) and one small- group reading (online article) Mini-Unit Overview

Writing Standards Emphasized in the Mini-Unit Write opinion pieces in which students provide an introduction, state an opinion (giving reasons), and provide a concluding statement or section.

Day 1 Day 2 Days 3-4 Days 5-6 Introduce research question (inquiry) Poll the class using posters of 4-5 animals: Which is the best pet? Have students discuss their ideas, then present them to the class. Students are invited to change their minds after hearing the other groups. Journal: Share your opinion about the best pet and why you did or did not change your mind. Watch video clip twice. Listen for key facts using note card list. Contribute to the class chart (Reasons FOR and Reasons AGAINST) Journal: And so I’m thinking… Online research: With partner/group, read one article related to your choice. Take notes. Draft an opinion piece using the journal entries and notes you have taken. Reflect: What have we learned. Share your opinion piece. Mini-Unit Instructional Sequence

Inquiry Question: What is the BEST pet?

Exploring Our Opinions Look around the room at the pet pictures that have been posted. Think about the things it takes to make a good pet. Choose which pet you believe would make the best companion. Stand under the picture of your choice. Discuss with the others in your group why that animal will make the best pet. Each group will take a turn telling why the pet they chose is “best.”

Exploring Our Opinions, Continued… Listen to your classmates' opinions. If you had to choose another pet to be the best, which would it be? Move to stand under that animal. Tell reasons why you chose that animal as your second choice. Each group will take a turn to explain why they chose their animal as the second best pet. Discuss as a class the idea that everyone has an opinion, but that we use reasons to support it.

Journal Write First I thought that the best pet would be…. When I heard about the other animals, I did (did not) change my mind because… Did you change your mind or stick with your first idea? Why?

Work Cost Time Fun Safety Noise Needs What are some of the issues to think about when getting a pet?

Now We’ll Research to Find Out More About the Best Pets. Listen for issues like work, cost, time, fun, safety, noise, and the pet’s needs. Watch NBC News’ Today Show video clip on “The Perfect Pet”:The Perfect Pet p4

Let’s listen twice. Each time we’ll stop to capture what we heard on our class chart: Reasons FOR and Reasons Against. Which Pet is BEST? PetReasons FOR Reasons AGAINST So Now I Think… DOG (Leave this blank for now.) CAT BIRD GUINEA PIG FISH HAMSTER

Let’s listen twice. Each time we’ll stop to capture what we heard on our class chart: Reasons FOR and Reasons Against. Which Pet is BEST? PetReasons FOR Reasons AGAINST So Now I Think… DOG Explain which pet would be best for YOUR family. Circle the reasons that you found most convincing. For example, the cost of taking care of a new puppy might be a good reason to choose a guinea pig instead. CAT BIRD GUINEA PIG FISH HAMSTER

Which Pet is Best? Write what you are thinking in your writer’s notebook. Be sure to use reasons to support your opinion. Look at our class chart to remember what we learned from the NBC News video clip.

More Research! Work in a group with other students who chose the same pet that you chose. Click below on the pet you like best. Read the headings and find 3-5 new reasons that yours is the BEST pet choice. Take notes on the chart: The best pet is ___________. Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Reason 4 Reason 5 FishFish Dog Cat Hamster Bird Guinea PigDogCatHamsterBirdGuinea Pig

Let’s Write an Opinion Piece! Title by Your Name The best pet is ______. (Go back to your journal entries to write your introduction.) Here is why: (Give your reasons, using the class chart and notes from your research.) And so… (Tell readers what you want them to think, do, or believe)

Read your draft to a partner. What do you like about your partner’s work? DISCUSS AS A CLASS: What have we learned about opinions? How can we use what we’ve learned to write NEW opinion pieces?