3th Grade Informational Writing Prompt

PROMPT

After reading “Horses” and “Zebras,” write a 1-3 paragraph explanation of the similarities and differences between zebras and horses. Your explanation must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.

TARGETED STANDARDS CONNECTION

Writing W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. W.3.2.A Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension. W.3.2.B Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details. W.3.2.C Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information. W.3.2.D Provide a concluding statement or section. For those typing their responses: W.3.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Materials: "Horses." Kids InfoBits. Gale, 2012. Kids InfoBits. Web. 23 Jan. 2016. "Zebras." Kids InfoBits. Gale, 2012. Kids InfoBits. Web. 23 Jan. 2016.

Instructional Sequence: 1. Teacher hands out the typed up prompt and text. 2. The teacher introduces the writing prompt, and explains that students will be reading/listening to a text and using that text to answer the prompt. 3. The teacher reads aloud pages of attached text, to the students. As the teacher reads, students may be underlining or highlighting information that they may find useful for responding to the prompt. 4. Upon finishing the read aloud, students will be provided with paper to respond to the prompt.

Write a 1-3 paragraph explanation of the similarities and differences between zebras and horses. Your explanation must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.

Horses

Horses are domesticated animals. Domesticated means tamed. Thousands of years ago, horses were trained to carry people and to pull heavy loads. Horses have made life easier for humans.

Horses have strong legs and sturdy backs. They have hooves instead of feet. A hoof is really one big toe with a hard covering. Some horses wear “shoes” that are u‐shaped pieces of iron. Horseshoes keep hooves from wearing down.

Horses have shorter hair on their bodies and longer hair on their necks and tails. The long neck hair is called a mane. Horses come in different colors. For example, Appaloosas are red‐spotted horses. Palominos are golden with light manes. Bays are brown with black legs.

There are three kinds of horses. A pony has short legs and a thick body. It is about 3.48 feet (1.06 meters) tall. Because it is small, it is a popular horse for children to ride. Ponies can pull light loads.

Light horses are taller than ponies. They have long, slender legs and can run up to 40 miles (6.36 kilometers) an hour. That is as fast as a car can go! They make good racehorses.

The heavy horse is the largest and strongest horse. It stands 6 feet (1.82 meters) tall. This is about as tall as some people. A heavy horse can pull large loads. Heavy horses, such as Clydesdales, were used on farms and in logging.

Male horses are called stallions. Females are mares. A baby horse is a foal. A foal can stand up soon after it is born. Like other mammals, it drinks its mother's milk when it is young. A horse can live 20 to 30 years.

Horses graze for food. They bend their heads and nibble grasses, plants, and wildflowers. A horse can eat 25 pounds (11.35 kilograms) of grass in one day. Horses also eat corn, oats, and hay.

Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Horses." Kids InfoBits. Gale, 2012. Kids InfoBits. Web. 23 Jan. 2016.

Zebras

The zebra is a member of the same animal family as horses and donkeys. It lives in Africa and has black and white stripes. No two zebras have the same stripe pattern. Like a person's fingerprints, a zebra's stripes are one‐of‐a‐kind. A zebra is as big as a medium‐sized horse. It has a short stiff mane of hair that stands straight up from the neck. Its tail is long with a bit of fur at the end. Like horses, zebras have hooves on their feet. Sometimes zebras are bred with horses. The baby of a zebra and a horse is called a zorse.

Zebras live in Africa. There are three kinds of zebras. They are the Grevy's zebra, the mountain zebra, and the plains zebra.

Zebras live in herds as large as 200,000. Living in herds protects zebras from being singled out by their enemies. The zebras' enemies include the lion, leopard, and hyena. Adult zebras can outrun their enemies. They can reach speeds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) an hour. This is as fast as a car can travel.

Zebras are herbivores. Herbivores are animals that only eat plants. Zebras like to nibble grasses. They spend most of their time grazing or looking for food.

Baby zebras are called colts. Like other mammals, colts drink their mother's milk when they are young. Mothers and babies recognize each other's voices, smell, and even stripes. Colts stay with their mothers until they are about one year old. Zebras can live 15 to 20 years.

Zebras are hunted for their meat and skins. Only one kind of zebra, the Cape mountain zebra, is endangered.

Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Zebras." Kids InfoBits. Gale, 2012. Kids InfoBits. Web. 23 Jan. 2016.