Resource Filters Description More information about this book
More information about this book

Book Description

Resource Type

  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • During Reading Activities
  • Post-Reading Activities

Skills and Subjects

  • Comprehension Strategies
  • Critical Thinking in Literacy
  • Oral Language
  • Make Predictions
  • Visual Elements
  • Key Ideas & Details
  • Making Connections
  • Vocabulary Acquisition
  • Developing & Creating Texts
  • Writing
  • Just for Fun!
  • Further Research
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Fake Gnus

Kid reporter Scoop Jackson asks readers to consider what is fake news and what is fact, while looking for the gnus — pronounced nooz — that have escaped from their pen at the zoo.

    Book Genre:

  • Picture Books

    Audience:

  • ages 4 to 7 / Grades K to 2

Written by

  • Leslie Helakoski

Illustrated by

  • Leslie Helakoski

  • Book Description

    Fake Gnus follows Scoop Jackson, a curious reporter, as he investigates a mystery at the zoo: the gnu pen is empty. Along the way, Scoop encounters a series of wild claims about where the gnus might be—from eating ice cream in Central Park to climbing the Empire State Building. Each claim is tested against real, observable facts. Through humor and repetition, the story teaches how to question information, verify sources, and distinguish facts from falsehoods. The book concludes with a quiz and an author’s note that introduces ideas about misinformation, reputable sources, and AI.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Critical Thinking in Literacy, Oral Language
    What Is a Fact?
    Students discuss what a fact is versus something that is made up. The teacher records student examples on chart paper, labeling them FACT or OPINION.
  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Make Predictions, Visual Elements
    Cover Clues
    Students examine the book cover and predict what the story might be about. They explain their predictions using visual evidence from the illustration.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy
    Real or Fake?
    Present silly statements (e.g., dogs can fly). Students vote real or fake and explain why.
  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Key Ideas & Details, Making Connections
    Animal Knowledge Check
    Students share what they already know about zoo animals and gnus. Teacher records ideas and revisits them after reading.
  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Making Connections, Oral Language
    Reporter Role Play
    Students pretend to be reporters and practice asking questions using Who, What, When, Where and Why.
  • During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Make Predictions, Visual Elements
    Spot the Clue
    As each scenario is introduced, students identify visual or text clues that help determine whether the information is real or fake.
  • During Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Critical Thinking in Literacy
    Fact Check Pause
    Teacher pauses and asks students what facts they already know that help confirm or deny the claim.
  • During Reading Activities/ Oral Language, Vocabulary Acquisition
    Vocabulary in Context
    Students act out or explain key vocabulary such as herbivore, migrate, source, and fact.
  • During Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Critical Thinking in Literacy, Make Predictions
    Yes or No Cards
    Students hold up YES or NO cards to decide if the gnus could really be doing what is shown.
  • During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Make Predictions
    Think Like Scoop
    Students explain what Scoop is thinking and why he questions each claim.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Key Ideas & Details
    Real or Fake Quiz
    Students complete a teacher-created quiz similar to the one in the book and explain their answers.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Developing & Creating Texts
    Create a Fake News Story
    Students invent a silly animal headline and then explain why it is fake using facts.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Making Connections, Oral Language, Visual Elements
    Fact Finder Walk
    Students search the classroom or playground for observable facts and report them.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy
    Source Sort
    Teacher provides examples of sources. Students sort them into trustworthy and untrustworthy.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Writing
    Journal Reflection
    Students draw or write about how they can check facts in real life.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Fact Detective Game
    Hide fact cards around the room. Students hunt for them and explain why each is true.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Create-a-Gnu Craft
    Students build a gnu using mixed materials and label real facts about gnus on their artwork.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Classroom News Show
    Students collaborate to create a short ‘news broadcast’ using only verified facts. 
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Animal Research Mini-Project
     Students research another zoo animal and create a ‘Real Facts Only’ poster.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Further Research
    Fact Investigation Station
    Students research one real fact about gnus using a nonfiction book. They draw the fact and explain how they know it is true.
  • Post-Reading Activities/ Further Research
    Source Comparison Activity
    Teacher provides two sources (one reputable, one unreliable). Students discuss which source they would trust and why.