Over the last two weeks our children have been engaged in exciting reading and research about the giant squid and the sperm whale. Through this experience, the children learned about the compare/contrast text structure, taking notes on the most important information. Each student formulated an opinion about who he or she believed would dominate should a giant squid and a sperm whale come face-to-face. Using evidence from the text, the children conducted a formal debate to collaboratively argue in favor of their opinions. After our debate, the each child wrote a multi-paragraph opinion essay, supporting their positions with reasons and evidence from multiple sources. This process was an exciting and engaging was to integrate our recent learning in Reader's and Writer's Workshops. Please enjoy reading Christian's opinion essay which supports the giant squid as the more powerful animal, and Jack's essay which supports the sperm whale as dominant.

Giant Squid vs. Sperm Whale    by Christian !!!!!!

The giant squid inks the sperm whale in the face as it tries to retreat. The giant squid attacks. Clearly, without a doubt the giant squid will win.           

The giant squid has more powerful physical features than the sperm whale. For example, the giant squid has a strong beak. The wimpy sperm whale only has teeth on the bottom of it’s mouth. In addition, the giant squid has large eyes. That helps it see well in the deep, dark, ocean. The sperm whale has useless cherry-sized eyes on the side of its head. Another example is it has tentacles. The tentacles have suction cups with hooks inside. The sperm whale has ineffective, foot-long flippers.

     The giant squid has many powerful defences. First of all, the giant squid can squirt ink. The ink will let the giant squid escape. The sperm whale doesn’t produce anything to confuse the giant squid. Additionally, giant squid can breath under water. In other words, they don’t need to come up for air so, they can drown the sperm whale who has to come up for air. Finally they can swim backwards. Swimming backwards will help the giant squid escape while watching their prey, the sperm whale.

Giant squid are far more agile than sperm whale. First of all, it can stop and change direction quickly. The sperm whale has to slow down to turn. As you know, the giant squid can swim backwards. In fact the sperm whale can only swim in 1 direction. Last but not least the giant squid can swim to an unknown depth. The sperm whale can only go 1\2 a mile deep.
In conclusion the giant squid will win because it has 100% more powerful physical features, defence, and agility.  

 

The powerful whale by Jack

Imagine a squid winning a fight against a sperm whale. Wait a minute! That’s wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! The sperm whale should win against the giant squid.

The whale’s diet proves that it is stronger than the giant squid. For example, the sperm whale eats giant squid and other strong animals. The giant squid, on the other hand, eats only tiny animals that can’t even defend themselves. ThHe sperm whale’s diet is important because if a whale and squid came face to face, the whale could eat the giant squid before the squid starts to attack. Also, the whale eats other animals that are strong than the animals that the squid eats. For example, the whale eats the dangerous sting ray. The giant squid eats weakling animals like fish and other small squid. Obviously the whale’s diet shows that if the whale and the giant squid came face to face, the whale has a better chance of winning.

The whales physical features are the best ones of all.For example the sperm whale has super thick skin.The skin can be 4 to 12 inches thick.Plus the sperm whale can shock its food so if the sperm whale and a giant squid met face to face the sperm whale might shock the squid and eat it.Plus the whale has a strong tale so it can swim at 25 mph.but the squid can only swim at 20 mph.The whale has the biggest brain on earth!

I know the sperm whale will win because it has the best features of all!