Shared Reading and Writing by Tina Dunn

The Circulatory Story

tinadunn — 2025-07-26 22:57:14 UTC

Synopsis:

This playful, science-infused nonfiction text follows a red blood cell on a journey through the human body. With kid-friendly metaphors and engaging comparisons, the book explains how the heart, lungs, and blood work together to keep us alive. It’s perfect for teaching text structure, domain-specific vocabulary, and the author’s use of figurative language to clarify complex ideas.

Mission Mars

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:01:43 UTC

Synopsis:
This engaging nonfiction article explores the scientific challenges and excitement of sending humans to Mars. Students learn about atmospheric conditions, extreme temperatures, radiation, and the lack of oxygen while developing nonfiction reading skills, including main idea, text structure, summarizing, and compare/contrast. The article is full of academic vocabulary and scientific relevance.

Lewis and Clark

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:02:55 UTC

🧭 Synopsis:

This engaging biographical excerpt highlights the unique strengths and personalities of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they prepare to lead their famous expedition. Through vivid description and structured comparison, the author shows how their differences made them an effective team. Students explore author’s craft, text structure, and main ideas through this accessible and purposeful piece of narrative nonfiction.

Homework or No Homework

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:04:08 UTC

🧠 Synopsis

This paired-passage set presents two sides of a real-world debate: Should elementary students have homework? One article supports homework for skill-building and responsibility, while the other warns of stress and limited benefits. With clear structure, embedded text features, and dual perspectives, this set allows students to build stamina, cite evidence, and prepare for ATLAS expectations with scaffolded support.

Missing May

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:06:07 UTC

Synopsis:
This tender novel follows a girl named Summer as she copes with the loss of her beloved Aunt May. Now living with her grieving Uncle Ob, Summer quietly seeks comfort, home, and healing. Through poetic language and emotionally rich reflection, the story explores grief, belonging, and the quiet power of love and memory. It gently shows readers that healing doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

Love, Aubrey

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:12:04 UTC

Synopsis:
After a tragic accident takes most of her family, Aubrey runs away to live with her grandmother, trying to cope with deep emotional wounds. Told in a heartfelt first-person voice, this story captures the inner life of a grieving child who slowly opens up to love and connection again. Love, Aubrey explores loneliness, trust, healing, and the power of writing to express emotions.

Among the Hidden

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:13:34 UTC

Synopsis:
In a dystopian future where families are only allowed two children, Luke is a hidden third child who has never experienced the outside world. When he discovers another shadow child living nearby, his world is shaken, and he must decide between safety and freedom. This suspenseful novel raises questions about justice, identity, and courage. It’s excellent for exploring character motivation, inference, and theme.

100 Cupboards

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:20:12 UTC

Synopsis:
Henry York discovers mysterious cupboard doors hidden behind the plaster of his bedroom wall—each one a portal to another world. This eerie and imaginative fantasy blends suspense and wonder with deep questions about belonging, bravery, and family. Your selected passage uses rich figurative language and mood to draw readers into Henry’s growing curiosity.

Fish in a Tree

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:40:31 UTC

Synopsis:
Ally has moved from school to school, hiding the fact that she struggles to read. But when a new teacher helps her see that her dyslexia doesn't mean she's dumb, Ally learns to accept herself and find her strengths. The novel centers on identity, friendship, and the power of a great teacher. A perfect text for theme, character development, and discussing learning differences with empathy.

The Crossover

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:42:25 UTC

🏀 Synopsis:
Told through energetic, rhythmic verse, The Crossover follows twin brothers Josh and Jordan Bell as they navigate basketball, brotherhood, and growing up. As family dynamics shift and a personal loss looms, the story captures the emotional highs and lows of adolescence. It’s rich in figurative language, tone, and voice—ideal for poetry analysis, character study, and theme exploration.

Love That Dog

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:44:49 UTC

Synopsis:
Told in free verse, this novel follows Jack, a reluctant writer who slowly discovers his own voice through poetry. As Jack reflects on personal loss and explores famous poems, he begins to write his own pieces—revealing vulnerability, humor, and growth. This is a powerful mentor text for poetic structure, tone, and emotional inference. It also sparks conversations about how writing can help us process deep feelings.

The Trumpet of the Swan

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:48:08 UTC

Synopsis:
This gentle animal fantasy tells the story of Louis, a trumpeter swan born without a voice. With the help of a human boy and his own determination, Louis finds creative ways to communicate and express himself—eventually learning to play a real trumpet. The novel explores themes of identity, perseverance, and the importance of self-expression. It's a rich opportunity for character analysis and figurative language study.

Because of Mr. Terupt

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:51:04 UTC

Synopsis:
Told from the rotating perspectives of several students, this novel captures how one special teacher, Mr. Terupt, quietly and powerfully influences his classroom. What begins as a humorous and relatable school story deepens when a tragic accident forces the students to grow, reflect, and confront their own actions. This passage highlights how even a subtle gesture from a teacher can profoundly affect a student’s trust and attitude toward school.

Should Zoos Exist

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:55:01 UTC

Synopsis:
This persuasive text presents both sides of a popular opinion issue: the ethics and purpose of zoos. Students are encouraged to weigh animal welfare, education, and conservation as they form their own opinion. It’s perfect for introducing argumentative writing and helping students learn how to structure a claim and support it with evidence.

The People of Twelve Thousand Winters

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 04:58:04 UTC

Master Skills Vocabulary List

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:02:34 UTC

The most current list of skills taught cross-referenced to book title.

Teacher's Guide/ Tips

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:03:32 UTC

Author's Purpose

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:07:41 UTC

Main Idea

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:08:51 UTC

Text Structure

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:10:08 UTC

Simile vs Metaphor

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:13:28 UTC

Types of Writing

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:13:53 UTC

Expository Essay Brainstorming

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:16:02 UTC

Point of View

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:18:51 UTC

Parts of a Friendly Letter

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:20:25 UTC

Expository Writing Planning Sheet

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:22:07 UTC

Types of Poetry

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:23:11 UTC

Simile vs Metaphor

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:25:19 UTC

Genres of Literature

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:26:46 UTC

Character Traits

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:30:24 UTC

Tone vs Mood

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:32:05 UTC

Simile Metaphor Personification

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:34:38 UTC

Opinion Essay Structure

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 05:44:52 UTC

Character Thoughts and Feelings

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 13:33:01 UTC

Character Thoughts and Feelings for Narrative Writing

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 13:33:35 UTC

What Makes a Strong Opinion

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 16:38:30 UTC

What Makes a Strong Opinion: Option 2

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 16:41:20 UTC

How to Use Context Clues

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 16:59:07 UTC

Who Should Pull Santa's Sleigh

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 18:18:41 UTC

Synopsis:
In this playful but persuasive selection, students are presented with five animals—polar bear, camel, dolphin, eagle, and golden retriever—each with unique traits that could make them a strong candidate for pulling Santa’s sleigh. Using informational descriptions with embedded opinion-writing cues, students weigh evidence and craft their own argument for which animal is the best fit. This high-engagement text builds skills in evaluating evidence, forming an opinion, and justifying claims with text-based support.

How to Read a Chart or Table

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 21:41:11 UTC

Tornadoes vs Blizzards (Science Response)

tinadunn — 2025-07-27 22:37:25 UTC

These paired passages explore the dangers and preparation strategies related to tornadoes and blizzards. Students examine structure, text features, and interpret scientific data using provided tables. The lesson scaffolds text analysis and prepares students for ATLAS-aligned writing.

Brown Girl Dreaming

tinadunn — 2025-07-28 02:30:54 UTC

In this excerpt from Jacqueline Woodson’s memoir-in-verse, the speaker wrestles with finding her voice as a writer. Through the metaphor of a story that resists being written, the passage explores creativity, struggle, and quiet determination. Students will analyze figurative language and theme while building confidence in writing with evidence.

Rules

tinadunn — 2025-07-28 03:27:19 UTC

Catherine, a 12-year-old girl, is trying to balance her love for her brother David, who has autism, with the challenges that come from his behavior. She teaches him social “rules” in hopes of helping him fit in, but she also struggles with embarrassment, guilt, and loyalty. This emotional and deeply personal moment explores identity, family, and acceptance through powerful voice and internal conflict.

Narrative Writing Inspiration Guide

tinadunn — 2025-07-28 03:41:02 UTC

Narrative Writing Frame

tinadunn — 2025-07-28 03:44:57 UTC

Should Recess Be Longer

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 02:04:40 UTC

Should Recess Be Longer? is a paired nonfiction set that presents two opposing viewpoints on whether elementary school students should have more time for recess. This text set invites students to analyze argument structure, evaluate evidence, and consider both sides of a real-world issue before forming their own opinion.

The Truth About Wishtrees

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 12:29:41 UTC

This engaging article explores the real-life history, meaning, and traditions of wishtrees across cultures. With a mix of descriptive and compare/contrast structure, students explore why people write down their hopes and dreams and tie them to trees. The article supports comprehension strategies such as text structure, main idea, summarizing, and comparing cultural traditions—perfect for blending reading with social-emotional learning and global awareness.

Wishtree

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 12:34:16 UTC

Narrated by a red oak tree named Red, Wishtree introduces readers to the quiet wisdom of nature and the power of hope. Every year, neighbors write their wishes on scraps of fabric and tie them to Red’s branches. As Red reflects on centuries of whispered dreams—both whimsical and heartfelt—readers encounter themes of empathy, change, and belonging. This excerpt provides a beautiful entry point into figurative narration, author’s message, and theme.

The Journals of Lewis and Clark

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 17:09:23 UTC

This primary source excerpt from Meriwether Lewis’s journal offers a rare, firsthand look at life during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students examine tone, detail, and voice—while grappling with unedited spelling, grammar, and medical curiosity. This short entry pairs powerfully with the narrative nonfiction biography Lewis and Clark by George Sullivan and builds student understanding of primary vs. secondary sources, historical accuracy, and author’s purpose.

How Not to Die in the Woods

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 20:30:49 UTC

This survival guide offers practical strategies for staying alive when lost in the wilderness. With clear subheadings, direct advice, and vivid scenarios, the article helps students identify key information, interpret cause and effect, and evaluate author’s purpose. The survival tips offer strong connections to both real-world application and narrative fiction like Hatchet.

Hatchet

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 20:32:50 UTC

Brian Robeson finds himself alone in a bush plane thousands of feet above the Canadian wilderness after the pilot suffers a heart attack. This raw, emotional scene captures the immediate terror and shock of Brian’s situation. It’s a compelling anchor for inferencing, tone analysis, figurative language, and internal character response.

Wonder (Auggie's POV)

tinadunn — 2025-08-02 22:03:57 UTC

In this excerpt, Auggie reflects on why Halloween is his favorite holiday—because it lets him feel invisible in the best way. Through a powerful internal monologue, he explains how wearing a mask gives him freedom from judgment and allows him to feel like “every other kid.” This passage invites rich analysis of voice, theme, identity, and figurative language.

Outdoor Adventure Awaits! (4H)

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 00:15:20 UTC

This descriptive informational passage introduces students to the Arkansas Outdoor School experience—featuring canoeing, archery, wildlife observation, and rock climbing. It emphasizes experiential learning, life skills, and team-building, creating excitement and understanding ahead of the real-life field trip.

Personification

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 02:34:52 UTC

Theme

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:04:58 UTC

What Makes a Primary Source

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:08:10 UTC

What Makes a Primary Source

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:09:17 UTC

Blank T-chart

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:10:48 UTC

Transitions Word Bank

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:13:06 UTC

Characteristics of a Personal Narrative

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:21:28 UTC

Strong Voice in First Person

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:23:07 UTC

Expository Essay Checklist

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:25:31 UTC

Revision and Editing Checklist

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:27:05 UTC

Show Don't Tell

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 03:29:10 UTC

Most Current Spiral

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 12:30:58 UTC

Author's Tools Opinion Writing

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 12:49:12 UTC

Author's Tools Opinion Writing

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 12:50:11 UTC

Condensed Narrative Writing Frame

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 13:02:01 UTC

Opinion Writing

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 13:06:00 UTC

Claim vs Claim Graphic Organizer

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 13:35:04 UTC

Should Kids Play Video Games

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 13:39:57 UTC

These paired passages explore both the benefits and drawbacks of video games for children. The first article shows how certain games can support learning and social development, while the second warns about screen addiction and missed real-world opportunities. Together, the texts offer opportunities for students to analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, compare perspectives, and prepare for opinion writing.

Are Farmers Killing the Ocean

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 20:25:13 UTC

This dual-section nonfiction piece explains how fertilizer runoff causes harmful algae blooms that lead to oceanic dead zones. Students will analyze cause-and-effect relationships, evaluate evidence, and explore both sides of the argument about whether farmers should be held responsible for water pollution. Paired with visual text features like graphs, sidebars, and infographics, this lesson sharpens students’ ability to draw conclusions, support claims with data, and consider environmental ethics.

Wonder (Via)

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 21:57:47 UTC

In this deeply personal excerpt, Via recalls a quiet moment with her Grans, who shared a loving “secret”: that Via was her favorite. The passage uses soft language, cultural intimacy, and emotional memory to explore the feeling of being seen in a family where much attention often goes elsewhere. This excerpt invites reflection on favoritism, emotional inheritance, and the relationships that shape identity.

Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark

tinadunn — 2025-08-03 23:06:11 UTC

This narrative nonfiction excerpt brings to life the extraordinary contributions of Sacajawea—a young Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark through unfamiliar lands just weeks after giving birth. Blending factual detail with emotional depth, the passage reveals Sacajawea’s bravery, sacrifice, and strength, offering students a chance to reflect on leadership and resilience in the face of hardship.