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Either/Or Explorers

Would You Rather Unit
Lesson 1 of 5
Gathering Information
4.7 (216 reviews)
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Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
Would you rather be an otter or a chameleon? Why?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
What kinds of things did Ash say about otters?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
What are some cool things chameleons can do?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Step
01/17
Get your supplies.
Video trouble?
Step
02/17
In today’s lesson, you’ll need someone to share ideas with. This could
be a partner or someone you sit near. When everyone knows who
their talk partner is, move on to the next step.
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Step
03/17
Take turns sharing with your partner: What do you already know
about parrots and octopuses?
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Step
04/17
Get your Either/Or Notes. Draw a quick sketch of a parrot.
You can always finish your drawing later on.
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Step
05/17
Watch these videos. Discuss with your partner: What amazing things
can parrots do?
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Step
06/17
On the lines, write some notes about cool things parrots can do.
Write each idea on a new line using a jot dot.
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Step
07/17
Get your Informative Articles worksheet. Follow along as I read the
section “Social Parrots.” If you’d like to hear the article again,
replay this step. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
Video trouble?
Step
08/17
Add what you learned to your parrot notes on the lines. Be sure not
to copy any sentences from the article. Use your own words to jot
some notes.
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Step
09/17
Take turns reading your notes with your partner. If your partner
wrote a fact that you don’t have, you can add it to your notes.
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Step
10/17
Draw a quick sketch of an octopus. You can always finish your
drawing later on.
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Step
11/17
Watch these videos. Take notes on cool things octopuses can do on
the lines.
Video trouble?
Step
12/17
Get your Information Articles worksheet. Follow along as I read the
section titled “Clever Octopus.” If you’d like to hear the article again,
replay this step. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
Video trouble?
Step
13/17
Add what you learned to your octopus notes.
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Step
14/17
Take turns reading your notes with your partner. If your partner
wrote a fact that you don’t have, you can add it to your notes.
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Step
15/17
Discuss with your partner: Would you rather be a parrot or an
octopus?
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Step
16/17
At the bottom of your worksheet, write “a parrot” or “an octopus”
to complete the sentence with your opinion!
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Step
17/17
The papers shown on the screen are VIPs: Very Important Papers!
Your teacher will tell you where to put them so you will have them
for the next lesson.
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?

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Either/Or Explorers
Would You Rather Unit
Lesson 1 of 5
Gathering Information
4.7 (216 reviews)

Featured Reviews

“Love the engaging videos! Graphic organizers are perfect! Even my struggling writers are writing thanks to the word banks! Love the 2 sources- video and text! The kids don't moan and groan when it's writing time!”
· Susan · Teacher
“My students are I are really loving Mystery Writing! Very entertaining, engaging, and fun lessons to promote writing.”
· Jodi · Teacher
“The students loved all the facts given and were amazed by all that these animals can do! Fun Lesson!!”
· Nancy · Teacher

Students will...

Print Prep
  • use 2 sources (video and text) to gather information and take notes.

  • establish an opinion and write a thesis statement.

Before this lesson...

Parrot & Octopus Articles worksheet 30 copies
Podcast Notes worksheet 30 copies
Word Bank (Parrot & Octopus) worksheet 30 copies
Prep Instructions
  • At the end of this unit, students will have a written podcast. In lesson 5, students may (1) present it out loud as a performance or (2) record it using a digital program.

  • Each worksheet in this unit will be used across multiple lessons. These worksheets are labeled as VIPs (Very Important Papers).

  • We suggest teachers make sure each student has a designated location (such as a folder) to store papers between lessons.

  • Word Banks can be printed in another color to help students keep track of all their pages.

Standards

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Introduction

10 mins

Writing Activity

30 mins

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Would You Rather Lesson 1: Either/Or Explorers

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