Animal Adaptations by Ted Fabiano

Face to Face with Wolves (Face to Face with Animals) by Jim Brandenburg

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:39:58 UTC

National Geographic Kids; 2nd edition (April 3, 2018)

Nonfiction Choice Affordances and Limitations

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:39:58 UTC

Affordances: This book uses large photographs to point out specific attributes of different kinds of wolves. There are sections that go deep into wolf life -- like "how to speak wolf," which gives 3 points about wolf sounds. It says that "a wolf can't survive for long alone" -- this will support how incredible Swift's story is, and that it is not common for wolves. In addition to pictures, there are also maps of where they live.

Limitations: This would be a challenging book for most 4th graders to read on their own or in groups. This could be a read aloud, supported by guided group readings of smaller sections.

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:39:58 UTC

Greenwillow Books; 1st Edition (May 7, 2019)

Fiction Choice Affordances and Limitations

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:39:58 UTC

Affordances:

This story is engaging right from the start. It is told in first person from the wolf's perspective, which will captivate young readers. Each chapter introduces either a new challenge or a new animal. There are illustrations every fourth page or so to break up passages. There is a non fiction passage after the novel that describe the real life wolf that inspired the story. Students will love to hear that this story was based on real events.

Limitations:

There are 208 pages of text, which could be challenging for some readers. The first person point of view should make understanding the story easier, but since it's a unique approach, readers may need guidance to understand what a wolf might be able to experience.

Interactive Choice Affordances and Limitations

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:39:58 UTC

Affordances:

This website allows students to click on a variety of images in each section and hear the sounds of wolves, as recorded by the authors. The images are high quality (done by National Geographic photographers). There is an interesting section on what Yellowstone would look like without wolves, and students can click on "bubbled" sections to see how other parts of the ecosystem are affected by the presence or absence of wolves.

Limitations:

The interactive applications are limited to choosing pictures and connecting text to images. The sound of wolves is engaging, but it does not vary with the sections, and the text does not have an audio option.

Instructional Goals

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 01:58:35 UTC

Students will be able to answer these questions: How are animal adaptations important to survival? How do wolves adapt to their environment?

Rationale

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 02:42:14 UTC

I recently read A Wolf Called Wander. I was fascinated by the combination of the true story behind the book, and the wonderful writing style of the author. There is a section of facts about wolves, and engaging illustrations throughout. I feel this is a compelling way to teach about the science behind animal adaptation and the craft behind storytelling. Animal adaptation can be found in the fourth grade science curriculum.

Grade Level: 4

tedfabiano1 — 2023-02-15 02:42:35 UTC

Two Literacy Objectives

tedfabiano1 — 2025-02-28 20:18:48 UTC

Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic;

describe the differences in focus and the information provide.

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs,

diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the

information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears

Two Literacy Objectives

tedfabiano1 — 2025-02-28 20:18:57 UTC

Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific

details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated,

including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.

Two Interactive Literacy Objectives

tedfabiano1 — 2025-02-28 20:19:04 UTC

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text,

including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

"Living With Wolves- an Interactive Exhibit"

tedfabiano1 — 2025-03-02 15:47:39 UTC

From the "about" section of this website: "In 2006 Jim and Jamie put aside their cameras and created Living with Wolves, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educational outreach and research. Living with Wolves provides concerned supporters with a wide range of trustworthy and effective actions, building tolerance that can lead to coexistence between people and wolves sharing the same land."