Last week, students learned how to look at objects closely, compare a number of different traits, and then choose which one was their favorite. Students learned that before they choose their favorite, they had to provide evidence of why it was their favorite. Acting as a "judge" students set out with a collection (ex. trains, coins, dinosaurs, horses, cars, rocks), and lined them up as if they were in a "dog show." Students examined the objects closely before setting off to write their thinking on which object would get first place. Some students extended their thinking, going on to explain who received 2nd place, 3rd place, etc while providing their opinion of why it did.
As students tried to convince their readers, they also had to think about introducing their writing, giving their writing a closing, and finding even more ways to get their readers to think like them. Today, we're even learning about how to quote experts - who can help make our reading stronger!