What Do You Think About Reptiles - a book that lets kids think for themselves

Books That Let Kids Think For Themselves

Kids are used to being told WHAT to think, but in this digital age, it is more important than ever for kids to learn to think for themselves! This book encourages students to think critically and exposes them to author bias, fact manipulation, and fact and opinion in a fun way.

Otherwise, we are just creating a generation of learners who will believe everything they read!

The What Do You Think About... books are not just about reptiles or ocean animals - they are about allowing students to decide for themselves what they think!

What Do You Think About Ocean Animals - great for teaching point of view in nonfiction

The What Do You Think About... books are not just about reptiles or ocean animals - they are about allowing students to decide for themselves what they think!

Check out these reviews:

What Do You Think About Reptiles? is a smart, balanced, and very clever science book, perfect for training readers to navigate our information-saturated world wisely.  - The Children's Book Review

"A thoughtful nature book that asks sharp questions." - Kirkus Reviews

What Do You Think About Reptiles is a great book for teaching fact and opinion to upper elementary students.
Buy Now
Readers explore two sides of five reptiles—from alligators to tortoises—each presented with a different perspective. But there’s a twist: each opinion comes with carefully chosen facts that might just be a bit biased!
What Do You Think About Ocean Animals is the best book for evaluating how nonfiction authors use facts and opinions to support their arguments.
Buy Now
Readers read two biased opinions about 5 ocean topics - are sharks dangerous, do jellyfish need a new name, should lionfish be removed from their homes, are fish farms helpful, what's the smartest ocean animal - and then decide for themselves!

Teaching HOW to Think,
Not WHAT To Think

USE THESE BOOKS TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO:

  •  identify author bias by analyzing the language, examples, and facts used to persuade the reader.

  • question information critically by asking what facts are emphasized, ignored, or distorted.

  • distinguish between fact and opinion through the many facts and opinions scattered throughout the book.

  • compare and contrast perspectives by evaluating two opposing viewpoints (SECRET CODE WORD: Cockapoo) on the same topic.

  • distinguish your point of view from the author's by evaluating the different arguments and thinking critically.

  • understand the influence of word choice on tone, mood, and persuasiveness.

  • use text features to acquire additional information through the table of contents, glossary, index, captions, photographs, maps, and charts included in the book.

Feel free to contact me with any questions - email me at kalena.baker@teachingmadepractical.com

Free Resources

Download free printables that go along with the book. There are activities to practice fact and opinion, author bias, comparing and contrasting, and more!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.