MTM: What If You Had Animal Hair?

This week’s Mentor Text Monday is with Sandra Markle’s book, What If You Had Animal Hair?

What If You Had Animal Hair? makes a great nonfiction mentor text for teaching about the science idea of adaptation in animals.

What If You Had Animal Hair? is a nonfiction book that easily draws the interest of students through its wonderfully illustrated pictures and intriguing facts. This text could be a great introduction to adaptations in animals, as it focuses on why animals have different hair types and how it helps them survive. The book briefly explores a variety of animals and concludes with human hair. Near the end of the text, it explores how hair grows and how to take care of hair.

Sandra Markle also has written similar texts such as What If You Had Animal Feet!? and What If You Had Animal Teeth!? All of these could easily be used for the scientific exploration of adaptations.

Furthermore, it could be used as a springboard in writing. Have students decide which animal’s hair they would like to have and write an opinion piece explaining why. I also think it would be fun to have students research animals and create a whole class version through another characteristic — instead of teeth, feet, and/or hair, why not explore noses…

What If You Had Animal Hair? is so much fun — and I love when kids can have fun (and learn secretly).

Don’t wait! Head to Amazon (aff. link) and grab these books, What If You Had Animal Hair, What If You Had Animal Feet!?, and What If You Had Animal Teeth!?, for your classroom library today to teach animal adaptations!

Want more valuable teaching tips and other ah-mazing perks, such as discounts, giveaways, flash freebies, dollar deals, and so much more? Become a VIP member by joining my email list! Click here to subscribe.

Pin for Later:

MTM: What If You Had Animal Hair?

Comments

Deb Hanson says
March 24, 2015 at 12:53 pm
I saw this book at the Book Fair last fall, and it looked excellent when I paged through it. I bet kids would love it!
- Tammy says
  April 20, 2015 at 1:21 am
  My kiddos DO love this book and all its partner books. It's pretty worn already and I haven't even had it long! I wish all nonfiction books would pull kids in this way!
Carrie Lane says
April 14, 2015 at 11:32 pm
This book looks cute!
Carrie
- Tammy says
  April 20, 2015 at 1:22 am
  It is absolutely adorable! Thanks for stopping by!