LibGuides: Educator Guide: Riveting Reptiles: Riveting Reptiles Educator Guide

Riveting Reptiles

Tips to Come Prepared

Before you visit the Genovesi Environmental Study Center (GESC) with your class, review the Educator's Guide to prepare for your students.

Read the Essential Questions (p. 1) and Connections to Standards (p. 2) to decide how you want to link your curriculum with your field trip
Complete the Pre-Visit Lesson with your class activating student interest and engagement
Come to GESC ready to engage and learn with our experiential, hands-on field trip program, Riveting Reptiles

Library Finds

After a While Crocodile: Alexa's Diary by Brady Barr and Jennifer Keats Curtis Alexa and the other children at her escuela in Costa Rica have a special project: they are raising American Crocodiles. She names her croc Jefe, which means "boss," because he seems to be in charge of all the other babies. Alexa brings him chicken and frogs to eat, and writes about his progress in her diary. Soon, her little hatchling is as big as a loaf of bread. He has grown into a juvenile and it is time for Alexa to say goodbye and for Jefe to return to the wild.
Awesome Snake Science! by Cindy Blobaum From cobras and copperheads to pythons and boas, all types of snakes are covered in this book of 40 science experiments, art projects, and games that help budding herpetologists gain a greater appreciation for these slithering reptiles. Activities include making foldable fangs to learn how snakes' teeth and jaws work together; simulating cytotoxic snake venom while making a tasty snack using an everyday enzyme found in pineapple; and mimicking the sound a rattlesnake makes using a rubber band, a paper clip, and an envelope. Engaging, simple, and safe experiments teach kids about the biology of snakes, such as how they use their tongues and nostrils to detect smells, how they are cold-blooded and sensitive to subtle changes in temperature, and how they can detect the slightest vibrations or tremors. Kids do not need a snake for any of the activities and will delight in all the strange snake facts and gross-out projects such as Snake Stink -- where they create their own signature stink and test how well it repels potential predators. Did you know... Snakes do not need to be coiled to strike. They can strike from any position, even underwater! Cobras and coachwhips are two of the few snakes that can move in a straight line forward while keeping their upper body raised off the ground Snake venom can actually help humans too: a blood pressure medicine was developed from the venom of a Brazilian pit viper, and over 60 other treatments have been created from snake venoms.
Snakes by Gail Gibbons There are about 3,000 kinds of snakes. Here is information about the different functions of these cold-blooded animals' physical characteristics. One also learns how they live, how they give birth (most lay eggs, some give birth to live babies), and how they eat (they swallow their prey whole, sometimes while it is still alive). Knowing about snakes, from the most ordinary garden variety to the most exotic constrictors and poisonous snakes, is to admire and respect these extraordinary reptiles.
Garter Snake at Willow Creek Lane by Janet Halfmann FREE BONUS AUDIO TO DOWNLOAD Smithsonian's Backyard books expose young readers to the amazing animals, insects and birds that live in the backyards all across North America! The informative stories and full-color illustrations are reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy. Read-along audiobooks include realistic sound effects.
Adelita, a Sea Turtle's Journey by Jenny Goebel One moonlit night, a young loggerhead sea turtle crawled into the ocean. As she swam and rode currents, she wandered far from the beach where she'd hatched. How far? Nobody knew for sure. In 1996, this turtle, caught in Mexico, was given a name--Adelita--and a satellite tag was attached to her shell. Then she was set free in the Pacific Ocean. Adelita's astonishing journey home led to a new understanding of sea turtles and inspired changes that have made the world a better place for them.
National Geographic Readers: Snakes! by Melissa Stewart They're SSSSLITHERY! SLIPPERY! They creep us out! But get to know them and you'll find snakes private, quiet types who just want a cool, shady place to call home. From the tip of their forked tongues, to skin that sheds, to the rattles on certain tails, these creatures have secrets all kids will love. Cool photos and fun facts slip us inside their surprising world.
A Place for Turtles by Melissa Stewart Turtles outlived the dinosaurs, but today they are one of the most threatened species of vertebrae on Earth. How can we help? A teacher and classroom favorite from Melissa Stewart?s award-winning A Place for? series, which spotlights vanishing species. Ideal for budding scientists, environmentalists, and nature lovers. ?A perfect resource.? ?National Science Teachers Association In simple yet engaging language, acclaimed science writer Melissa Stewart showcases twelve types of North American turtles, from the familiar box turtle to the majestic loggerhead turtle. Her clear narrative shows the threats these turtles face, and informative sidebars describe a wide variety of efforts to save them. Featuring glorious full-color illustrations by Higgins Bond and range maps for each turtle, this is a perfect choice for budding scientists, environmentalists, and nature lovers. This nonfiction picture book is part of a prize-winning series designed to inform young readers about a wide range of environmental issues and to present ways people can help protect animals and their natural habitats. Also available: A Place for Bats A Place for Birds A Place for Butterflies A Place for Fish A Place for Frogs Teacher?s Guide available. Awards: Green Earth Book Award (Nonfiction) / The Nature Generation NSTA Recommends / National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 / NSTA / CBC
I (Don't) Like Snakes by Nicola Davies They're slithery and scaly, and they have icky, flicking tongues and creepy, unblinking eyes. What's to like about a snake? You'd be surprised! This little girl has a problem. Her family doesn't have dogs, or cats, or birds--they have snakes! And she really, really, really really doesn't like snakes. Her family can't understand her dislike, but they can help her understand why snakes do the things they do and look the way they look. And maybe once she knows more, she will start to like snakes a little . . . or even a lot. Packed with snake trivia, this clever story includes realistic illustrations and simple explanations of snake behavior sure to make even slither-phobic readers shed their misconceptions about these fascinating reptiles. Back matter includes a note about snakes, a bibliography, and an index.

Essential Questions

What is a reptile?
What are the characteristics of snakes?
What are the characteristics of turtles?
What are the characteristics of lizards?

Our Educator Guide

Riveting Reptiles Educator Guide

Sora eBooks

Access these free ebooks by signing in to the Sora app with your NYC DOE credentials.

About Reptiles / Sobre Los Reptiles by Cathryn Sill; John Sill (Illustrator) Now in a bilingual edition! A first glimpse into the world of reptiles from Cathryn and John Sill, creators of the award-winning About? and About Habitats series. ?Well designed for classroom use, or as a browsing book for children fascinated by reptiles.? ?Booklist In About Reptiles/Sobre los reptiles, former teacher and author Cathryn Sill explains the basic characteristics that all reptiles share, while offering a look at the animals that fall into this diverse category, including ever-popular lizards, snakes, and turtles. Spanish translations sit right below English text for easy reading, and an afterword provides further detail on each animal portrayed. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill provides detailed illustrations that depict reptiles in their habitats and highlight their unique aspects. About Reptiles / Sobre los reptiles is part of the award-winning About? series. Ideal for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary science and animal life units. Also available from Cathryn and John Sill: About ReptilesSobre los reptiles: Una gu�a para ni�os (About Reptiles, Spanish Edition)
Be a Reptile Expert by Gemma Barder Do you know your corn snakes from your crested geckos? This guide to everything reptile is packed with essential information from different kinds of reptiles to how to look after a reptile to other fascinating facts.
Alligators by Grace Hansen Learn all about scaly and cold-blooded alligators! Complete with a More Facts section and bolded glossary terms. Young readers will gather basic information about alligators through easy-to-read, simple text alongside colorful full-bleed photographs. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Fun Reptile Facts for Kids 9-12 by Jacquelyn Elnor Johnson Fun Reptile Facts for Kids 9-12 Silly, astonishing and just plain weird facts with explanations about one of the world's strangest family of creatures by pet author Jacquelyn Elnor Johnson. Fascinating and fun for anyone who has a lizard pet, wants one, or is just curious about these odd, ancient and mysterious animals. Fascinating book about reptiles for children intrigued by animals This book also makes a great gift for a child, or anyone, who wants or has a reptile pet This lively nonfiction book for kids gives curious readers answers to the questions kids love to ask, such as: What reptile can stay underwater for up to two hours without breathing? Why do birds and crocodiles swallow stones? What does this help them do? What fearsome reptile, alive today, knows how to track and kill humans? What country has more poisonous snakes than anywhere else on earth? Can reptiles be pets? Were dinosaurs reptiles? Are reptiles endangered? Curious kids who enjoy knowing more about the pets they want or already have will enjoy this animal book. This is a fun reptile book for kids, or for anyone who intrigued by animals and the natural world. Fun Reptile Facts for Kids 9-12 is the 4th book in the series Fun Animal Facts for Kids from Crimson Hill Books. For ages 8 to 12 and/or Grades 4 and up. This fact filled book also has 42 color photos. Suitable for libraries, home school and classroom teachers who want to build kids word power. Available in eBook and Paperback. Visit our website www.bestpetsforkids.fun for more good clean fun for kids and families
Hawksbill Promise by Mary Beth Owens There is a deserted bay on a small island off Antigua where hawksbill turtles crawl ashore at night during the mating season to lay their eggs. Two months later the hatchlings -- each weighing less than an ounce -- emerge from the sand and scramble to the sea by moonlight. Only a lucky few survive. Mary Beth Owens was inspired by her admiration and concern for these critically endangered animals to write and illustrate this beautiful book. The narrator -- a craggy, ancient jumby tree that stands sentinel over the bay -- observes a turtle's arrival by night, her arduous trek to excavate a nest and bury her eggs, her solitary return to the sea, and the later diaspora of her hatchlings. Spare prose complements pages saturated with Caribbean color or brooding in ghostly moonlight. Includes backmatter.
ISBN: 0884484300
Publication Date: 2019-07-30
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez; Felicita Sala (Illustrator) For fans of Ada Twist: Scientist comes a fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist--who loved reptiles! Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets.... While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school! When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor. With a lively text and vibrant illustrations, scientist and writer Patricia Valdez and illustrator Felicita Sala bring to life Joan Procter's inspiring story of passion and determination. A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year selection
Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau; Deborah Hopkinson; Meilo So (Illustrator) Viv has a new home and a new school by the sea. Follow her as she finds her way in a new place and helps bring together a whole community to save the sea turtles of the South Carolina coast. Acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson team up to offer a story of the powerful difference young people can make in the world.
Run, Sea Turtle, Run by Stephen Swinburne; Stephen R. Swinburne "Can you hear me? Scritch, scratch. I'm a little sea turtle inside an egg." Follow a hatchling's treacherous journey from nest to sea. Longtime science writer Stephen Swinburne creates an engaging first-person narrative from the sea turtle's perspective. Gorgeous photographs by Guillaume Feuillet capture the drama of the hatchlings' race to safety. Back matter includes information on the life cycle of leatherback sea turtles, tips for how readers can assist with sea turtle conservation, and recommended further reading.
Snakes by Tedd Arnold (Illustrator) Learn all about snakes with Fly Guy!It's time for a field trip! Fly Guy and Buzz are going to the zoo to learn all about snakes. With straightforward text, humorous asides, and kid-friendly full-bleed photographs throughout, young readers will love learning about these slithery creatures. Award-winning author/illustrator Tedd Arnold really brings nonfiction to life for beginning readers! And this book has eye-catching holographic foil on the front cover!

Riveting Reptiles

Materials for Pre-Visit Lesson

Comparing and Contrasting Reptiles graphic organizer

Materials for Post-Visit Lesson

Communicating Ideas to an Audience graphic organizer

Ridiculous Reptile Facts

Snakes that live in colder climates can hibernate together in a hibernaculum, a shelter such as an old animal burrow. Some snakes return to the same hibernaculum year after year, and even share the space with other snakes.
Some snakes can go over a year without eating! When snakes do eat, they swallow their prey whole so they have jaws which are adapted to eat prey that are bigger than their head!
The komodo dragon, a venomous lizard that lives in Indonesia, bites its prey and then waits for it to die. They can smell rotting prey from 2.5 miles away and can eat almost their entire body weight!
Some geckoes walk up walls because they have microscopic hairs on their feet that form an electromagnetic attraction with surfaces.
Some turtles are among the oldest known land animals. The oldest ever recorded was a radiated tortoise named Tu’i Malila, and she lived for 188 years!
The gender of baby sea turtles depends on the temperature of their nest. Warmer nests produce more females, and cooler nest produce more males.

Educator Guide: Riveting Reptiles: Riveting Reptiles Educator Guide

Riveting Reptiles

Tips to Come Prepared

Library Finds

Essential Questions

Our Educator Guide

Sora eBooks

Riveting Reptiles

Materials for Pre-Visit Lesson

Materials for Post-Visit Lesson

Ridiculous Reptile Facts

Connections to Standards