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Never Smile At A Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things To Remember (2009)

by Steve Jenkins(Favorite Author)

3.98 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

061896620X (ISBN13: 9780618966202)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

HMH Books for Young Readers

review 1: The blurb says its all: " When it comes to wild animals, everyone knows that there are certain things you just don’t do. It's clearly a bad idea to tease a tiger, pull a python's tail, or bother a black widow spider. But do you know how dangerous it can be to pet a platypus, collect a cone shell, or touch a tang fish? Some creatures have developed unusual ways of protecting themselves or catching prey, which can make them unexpectedly hazardous to your health."I've always wanted to turn this book into a very dark mockumentary: "Fact Checker: The Most Dangerous Job In The World" ---in which our hapless fact checkers verify each of these 17 factoids at a deadly cost. (Animal Planet might actually do this. God help us.) I have smiled at a monkey---at a hot spring in Japan. ... moreThat was not a wise move. You should also never stare at a monkey. If you read this book metaphorically, it's also amusing. You make the metaphor. The illustrations are also gorgeous. A fun book for adults and children although definitely not "a chapter book."
review 2: Book Title: Never Smile at a Monkey*Short Description of the Book: This book uses a list format of things to NEVER do with wild animals. Each page begins with the warning of something to never do and is followed with the facts supporting why one should never do this thing. I think that my students would enjoy this book because it is a different format than anything that we have ever read before, and they love to make lists. FOCUS: Features I would Use in a Mini-Lesson: 1-Informational Text Structure: Cause and Effect. This book lists 18 things that you should never do with different wild animals and what will happen if you choose to do them. It is in a list format which I think is unique and would be important to allow students to explore. There is more information included at the back of the book about each of the animals that are mentioned in the list as well as a list of where to find out more information. TEACH: CCSS Connection: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. • *CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2a Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.• *CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2c Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2e Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.Mini Lesson- 1-Share the book Never Smile at a Monkey* with students. 2- Ask students to turn and talk to share what was unique about this informational text. Chart findings on class anchor chart about informational text features. 3-Discuss the vocabulary used to show the cause and effect relationship (because, they may look harmless but). 4-Have students brainstorm with their writing partner other topics that could be written in a list cause and effect structure like this one. 5-Write into the Day- Allow students time to read more mentor texts that are similar or begin writing their own informational text that is written in this structure. 6-Author’s Chair-Allow students time to share. EXPECTED OUTCOME: Students will be able to explain why some authors chose to write their informational texts in a cause/effect structure. Students will be able to explain how to link ideas using words and phrases that relate to cause and effect relationships. less

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