A Cool Caper

"The Zoo Animal Mysteries titles begin by giving facts and partial photographs about a variety of animals. As each volume continues, readers are given more information so that by the end they can identify the mystery animal. After reading through this title, have students use the clues to try to identify the animal and state the evidential facts they used to come to that conclusion. Then have students create their own informational texts about an animal of their choice, modeling the approach in these books. They must first identify their main topic and then research the supporting details. When they write the text, however, they will give the details first and reveal the main topic at the conclusion."