Slithery Snakes!

Content Objectives

Students will:

• Learn about snakes.
• Access prior knowledge and build background about different animal species and the habitats in which they live.
• Explore the characteristics of a snake, focusing on rattlesnakes.

Language Objectives

Students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of snakes.
• Orally use words that describe the characteristics of a snake and where snakes live.
• Extend oral vocabulary by speaking about whether or not they like snakes and why.
• Use key concept words [cold• blooded, scales, eggs, rattle, poison, venom, slither, species, habitat, fear, toxic].

Other

Explain

• Use the slideshow to review the key concept words.
• Explain that students are going to learn about snakes, and rattlesnakes in particular:
• The habitats in which snakes live.
• The characteristics of different species of snakes.
• How rattlesnakes and other poisonous snakes are dangerous.
• Why different snakes are either good or bad to keep as pets.

Model

• After the host introduces the slideshow, point to the photo on screen. Ask students: What is a habitat? (A place where a species of animal naturally lives and grows). What kind of habitat is shown in this picture? (A desert habitat).
• Ask students: What species of animals are able to live in a desert habitat? (People, snakes, etc.)
• Say: Snakes are one type of animal that can live in a desert habitat. How do you think snakes can survive in a desert habitat? (They are cold• blooded, which keeps them cool; they stay close to the ground and can find shade in places that are difficult to reach for many other animals, etc.).

Guided Practice

• Guide students through the next two slides, showing them that snakes, and rattlesnakes in particular, are cold• blooded, have scales, slither around, lay eggs, have a rattle on their tale, and have poisonous venom. Always have the students describe the physical characteristics of the snake.

Apply

• Play the games that follow. Have them discuss with their partner the different topics that appear during the Talk About It feature.
• After the first game, ask students to talk about why certain animals live in their particular habitats. After the second game, have them discuss how rattlesnakes can survive life in a desert habitat.

Close

• Ask students: Have you ever seen a rattlesnake? Explain where in the United States and Mexico you might find a rattlesnake, how you can tell that it is a rattlesnake, and what to do when you encounter one.
• Summarize for students that snakes are cold• blooded animals with scales that move by slithering. The rattlesnake is one type of snake. Since rattlesnakes have a rattle on their tail, many people try to go near them. However, people should be careful because snakes can bite. Encourage them to think about whether they would have a snake as a pet.