The Giant Snails Eating Florida Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Students will recognize how giant African snails are hurting a town in Florida.

 

Science Focus:

invasive species

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, create visuals, read a diagram

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

ferocious, crops, stucco, invasive species

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify main topic; RI.2.4 meaning of words; RI.2.7 diagrams; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.2 write informative texts; SL.2.5 visual displays

 

Lexile Measure: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
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Provide students with some background on invasive species.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "What is an Invasive Species?" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one reason invasive species are a problem?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Are any students surprised to learn that some snails could cause a big problem?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why giant snails are a problem.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are ferocious, crops, stucco, and invasive species.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

Actual Size by Steve Jenkins (20 min.)

This book features a variety of animals illustrated in their “actual size” just like the giant snail featured in this issue. Readers will explore other giant creatures and miniature-sized ones too!

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the terms ferocious, crops, stucco, and invasive species.

Editor’s Pick: Create Visuals (15 min.)

  • The Make a Giant Snail Poster helps students design posters that hone their explanatory writing skills. Pass out the poster templates. Then project the first sheet to show students how to fill out each section. You can hang finished posters in the hall to raise awareness!

ELA Focus: Read a Diagram (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze a diagram and identify parts of a snail’s body with the Snail Diagram skill sheet.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on invasive species:

  • “Beware of This Fish!,” May/June 2023. Students will discover how another invasive species, lion fish, affects its surroundings.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 610L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 450L