Snakes are cool

This lesson begins with a reading of Verdi by Janell Cannon. It integrates science with language arts as the students learn about snakes and write about their findings.

A lesson plan for grade 1 English Language Arts and Science

By Marcia Reich

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Related topics

• Learn more about animal characteristics, animals, biology, language arts, listening comprehension, predictions, read-alouds, reptiles, science, and snakes.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• listen to the reading of Verdi and summarize the story.
• learn characteristics of snakes and their habitats.
• identify some snakes native to their North Carolina area.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3 hours

Materials/resources

• Verdi by Janell Cannon
• nonfiction books about snakes:
  • A Child’s Book of Snakes, Lizards, and other Reptiles by Kathleen Doly
  • Great Snakes! by Fay Robinson
  • Sherie Borgar’s series on specific snakes
  • Golden Book of Snakes by Neil Curtis
• fiction books on snakes:
  • Jimmy’s Boa Bounces Back by Trinka Noble
  • A Boy and a Boa by Abby Israel
  • Hide and Snake by Keith Boker
• drawing paper
• North Carolina snakes posters (North Carolina Wildlife Magazine)
• newspapers, liquid starch, paints, waxed paper, wiggle eyes, and red felt

Technology resources

Animals 2.0 software

Activities

1. Begin by asking students what they know about snakes. Then ask what they would like to learn about snakes. Record their comments on a chart.
2. Read Verdi to the students, asking for predictions, cause and effect and noting characteristics of snakes as they grow. Note any facts they learned on the chart.
3. Read nonfiction book Great Snakes by Fay Robinson. Add to chart as they find new facts.
4. Using the North Carolina snakes posters, point out common snakes of the area. Make a special point of the poisonous snakes and the difference in head shape. Point out that most snakes hatch from eggs, but some have live babies.
5. Have nonficton and fiction books available for independent reading and reference.
6. After reviewing facts the students learned as recorded on the chart, demonstrate how to cut a circle into a spiral (snake) where they will write facts they have learned.
7. Have students share their writings when finished.

Additional art activities:

1. On drawing paper, have students draw a snake and give his skin a pattern. Cut the snakes out and display them. Additional writing could be done about their snakes.
2. Paper mache snake: roll one single sheet of newspaper tightly and secure loose ends with masking tape. One end should be larger for the head of the snake and the other end the tail. Dip torn strips of newspaper into liquid starch and wrap around rolled paper until covered well. Several layers will make the snake stronger. Air dry on wax paper. Paint with tempera paints. If students want designs or patterns on their snakes, paint one color and let dry before adding designs. Wiggle eyes and a felt tongue glued under the mouth give the snakes personality. To seal paint and give surface a sheen, coat with clear sealer or slightly diluted Elmer’s glue (optional).
3. Follow-up of the paper snakes could be fictional story writings.
4. If available, ask someone who owns snakes as pets to bring one in for the class to observe, or if you’re lucky someone will catch a garden-variety snake and bring it to school.

Assessment

• Can the students summarize the story Verdi?
• Have the students acquired additional information about snakes?
• Can the students name/identify snakes common to their area?
• Can the students write facts about snakes?

Supplemental information

Weekly Reader, Edition 1 May/June 2000 Week 2, “Snakes May Help People.”