Reading Level:
L

Word Count:
592

Pages:
22  

Text Summary
Crocs and Gators is a factual text that provides information about crocodilians. It describes their physical characteristics, habitats, and eating habits, as well as the four main types of crocodilians. The book also discusses why some crocodilians are becoming endangered and what is being done to save them. 

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategies
Children should use a variety of strategies to determine word meaning and comprehend text. The targeted strategy for this lesson is: Using context clues.

This book has some vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Children can use context clues to help them decipher the text. They can also use the photographs to help them with unfamiliar vocabulary.

Word and Print Skills

Word Work
Grammar
Adjectives

Word structure
Synonyms

Comprehension
You will likely address a number of comprehension skills as children work to understand the text. The targeted comprehension strategy for this lesson is: Summarizing.

Have children read pages 10 and 11. Then have them summarize how crocodilians move in water.

Have children read page 8 and 9 and summarize the differences found in various crocodilians.

Visual Learning
Ask: Compare various crocodilians. What ways can you describe what they look like in water?

Targeted Vocabulary Words
Content Words
capture, fierce, impossible, escape, endangered, destroy, protecting

Before Reading

Introducing the Book
Show the children the book and ask: What do you think this book will be about? Do you think it will be a fact book, or fiction? Why do you think so?

There should be a lot of predictions from children. Write their predictions on the board and see if they match up later. Explain that predictions cannot be wrong, because they are only guesses. They might not be true, but a prediction is only what could possibly happen. Scientists use prediction all the time, and while they are sometimes not the reality, they are often a good start to understanding ideas.

Have children look at the cover of the book. Ask: Have you ever seen a crocodilian? Did you know if it was a crocodile or an alligator? Did you see it in the wild or in a zoo?

Building Background
Start a discussion with children about crocodilians. Ask: When did you see a crocodilian? If you haven't seen a live one, have you seen one on TV?

Have a loose discussion about crocodiles and alligators. Children should feel free to comment on their experiences with the creatures. This will help them make connections as they read the text.

Book Walk
Go through the book and have children look at each image. Encourage them to comment on the images. Ask them what is going on in each image. Have them read the headings on the pages. Have them predict what will be contained in each section. Write their predictions on the board. Remind children that predictions cannot be wrong.

Reading Strategies
Discuss any reading strategies children can use to help them read.

• How will the pictures help you read the words?
• What can you do when you come to a word you cannot read?
• What can you do if you don't understand a part you have just read?

Think Aloud Strategy - Read page 6. Have children look at the second sentence. Ask: What does this sentence mean? Use synonyms to describe the words fascinated and hulking.

During Reading

Student Reading
Have children read the book with a partner. Review some of the strategies readers use while:

• Reading for context clues by reading ahead.
• Rereading when the story does not make sense.
• Checking the pictures to see if they will help with context clues.

After Reading

Comprehending the Text
Have children summarize the text into three parts: the types of crocodilians and where they live, the way they move and live in water, and the reasons for their becoming an endangered animal. Children can either make a chart on a sheet of paper, or you can do this on the board as a class. Write "Crocodilians" as the title of the summary chart. Write the word types over one column, water life over the second, and extinction over the third.

Visual Learning
Holding the book so children can see it, point to the picture on page. Ask: What kind of crocodilian is in this picture? Do you think you might be frightened if you saw a crocodile or an alligator in real life?

Look at the predictions that children made before reading the book. Have them discuss the differences and similarities between their predictions and the actual text, now that they have finished reading.

Building Skills

Word Work
Adjectives
Ask: What is an adjective? Is the word house an adjective? How about the word nice?

Explain to children that adjectives are words used to describe nouns. Without adjectives, we could not explain some very basic ideas. Imagine if there were only verbs and nouns to describe a terrible, high-speed car crash. It would go something like this: "Two cars hit each other." How about describing the greatest day of your life: "I experienced a day." Aren't we glad we can use adjectives?

In this book, most of the adjectives sound harsh. The words aggressive, dangerous, rough, and fierce aptly describe the animals featured in the text. Ask: What do you think crocodilians are like in real life? What are some words you would use to describe them if you were writing this book?

Make sure children understand the concept of adjectives before moving on.

Expand the Reading

Writing Connection
Have children choose an animal they find interesting and describe the reason they chose that particular animal. Have them write about the animal's appearance, habitat, and ability to survive in the world. Have them use adjectives to describe their animals. Children should be able to research their animals online or at the library.

Science Connection
Have children look for details about crocodiles and alligators. Provide books that offer information about crocodilians. Have them think of one question they would like to find out about crocodilians, and ask them to find the answer in one of the books provided. Ask them to share their findings.

Bring in a video about crocodiles and alligators. Alternately, you can invite a guest speaker from the zoo to discuss the animals.  

Reading Independently
Have children read the book independently or with a partner. You can also encourage them to read other books of their choice at the appropriate level.

Home Connection
Have children take their book home and share what they have learned with family members. Have children discuss the endangered species list with their family. Children can share what they have learned about endangered species and how to protect them.

Assessment

• Monitor children's responses in the Comprehending the Text section to assess how well they understand the text.
• Monitor reading to see if children are using the effective reading strategies.
• Assess children's knowledge of writing using adjectives by reading their writing.
• Check the Comprehension and Skills Activity Sheets for following directions and completing the activity accurately.