In most states, the ELA standards expect students to create opinion pieces,
or persuasive writing. A quick google search can provide lists of fictional
mentor texts, but since the pieces students create will be nonfiction, wouldn’t
an informational book make a better
mentor?
Your school’s librarian or literacy coach can probably create a list of
persuasive nonfiction titles on serious topics, such as:
City Chickens by Christine Heppermann
Frog Song by
Brenda Z. Guiberson
A Place for Bats by Melissa Stewart
Write On, Mercy: The Secret Life of
Mercy Otis Warren by Gretchen Woelfle
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth
Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone
But oftentimes, especially in the elementary
grades, the opinion pieces students are writing are more lighthearted. They
might be requesting a change in the school cafeteria or trying to convince
their parents to let them have a pet. So wouldn’t it be helpful if they used a
mentor text that’s fun AND informative?
Mega-Predators of the Past is the perfect choice. Here’s a description of the book:
“It’s time for
dinosaurs to step aside and let prehistoric mega-predators like the terror bird
and giant ripper lizard take the spotlight! Travel back in time to meet some
little-known hunters that once populated our planet. Discover how they lived,
what they ate, and what they have in common with animals alive today.
“Young readers will appreciate the book’s humorous
voice as well as the dynamic browsable design and art that’s both playful and
scientifically accurate. Mega fact files, infographics, and rich back matter
provide a plethora of additional details.”
And here’s how it begins:
“Think you’re looking at a dinosaur? Think
again.
“Sure, dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex
and Giganotosaurus were humongous hunters. And they did live a long,
long time ago. But you know what? The last thing those super-sized celebrities need
is more attention.”
“That’s why the stars of this book are prehistoric
predators that had a whole lot in common with animals alive today. Like this
giant ripper lizard. Cool name, right?”
“We’ll find out more about this tongue-flicking
terror in a minute, but let’s start with some mega-predators that look more
familiar.”
Readers will immediately realize that the narrator has a clear point of view—that
dinosaurs get too much attention and that it’s time for other hulking hunters
of the past to get their moment on the sun.
And it’s reinforced with comments sprinkled throughout the text. For
example:
“No doubt about it. American
lions deserve some time in the spotlight. Why in the world do dinosaurs
get all the hype?”
And here’s how the book ends:
“Face the facts, Friends.
Snarling, stalking, scene-stealing dinosaurs are overexposed and
overrated. It’s time to let other
prize-worthy predators of the past share the stage.”
There are lots of dino-loving kids out there that will be surprised by
the narrator’s opinion. Some of them may be ready for an argument. Others may
be intrigued and ready to expand their understanding of the prehistoric world.
Either way, they’ll keep on reading. And isn’t that exactly what a persuasive
essay should do?
After reading the book, encourage students to write a response to the
narrator. If they agree with the narrator’s opinion, they can quote parts of
the book that convinced them. And if they disagree, they can build an argument of
their own.
What a fun way to explore opinion writing!
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