Lesson Plans for MANATEES Level P

Before Reading

Introducing the Book
Hand out the books and have children read the title and the Table of Contents page. Have them scan the book to find the section headings (found on pages 4, 6, 12, and 18). Have them compare the section headings they found in the book to the contents of the Table of Contents. Ask: Where would you start reading to find information about the manatee's habitat and habits? Where would you start reading to find information about threats to the survival of the manatee? How can you use the Table of Contents page to know what the book is about before you start reading the book?

Building Background
Explain that animals are classified, or grouped, into certain types, such as birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, insects, and mammals. Ask: Who can give me some examples of mammals? (Answers include dogs, cats, horses, sheep, lions, monkeys, etc.) Then have the children think about some of the differences between mammals and other kinds of animals in order to discover what makes something a mammal.

Ask: What are some of the differences between mammals and birds? (Answers include that birds are covered in feathers, while mammals have hair or fur. Birds lay eggs, while mammals give birth to live young. Birds have beaks [but no teeth], while mammals have teeth. Birds feed their babies food, whereas mammals feed their babies milk. Flight is NOT a distinguishing feature between birds and mammals, since some birds do not fly [such as ostriches and penguins] and some mammals [bats] do fly.) 

Ask: What are some of the differences between mammals and fish? (Answers include that fish are covered in scales, while mammals have hair or fur. Fish breathe by passing water over their gills, whereas mammals breathe air into their lungs. Most fish lay eggs whereas mammals give birth to live young. Fish do not feed their young, but mammals feed their young milk.)

Ask: What are some of the differences between insects and mammals? (Answers include that insects have a hard shell [exoskeleton] while mammals have bones. Insects lay eggs while mammals give birth to live young.)

Ask: What makes something a mammal? What are the characteristics that all mammals have? Compile a list. The list should include:

  • Mammals have bones.
  • Mammals have skin covered in fur or hair.
  • Mammals give birth to live young.
  • Mammals feed their young milk.
  • Mammals have teeth.
  • Mammals breathe air.

Book Walk
Tell the children to read pages 4 and 5.
Ask: If you saw a new sea creature, one that you thought might be half human and half fish, would you classify it as a fish or as a mammal? What you would have to learn about the creature before you could decide?
Tell children to read the first sentence on page 6.
Ask: Why does the author think that manatees are mammals? As you read the rest of the book, look for evidence that manatees are mammals. Whenever you find evidence that the manatees have one of the characteristics of a mammal, make a note of it in your worksheet.
Distribute the worksheet.

Reading Strategies
Remind children to use any or all of the following strategies to help them in their reading:

  • Break down words you come across that are difficult for you.
  • Listen to what you are reading and ask yourself if what you have just read made sense.
  • Reread any page that you had difficulty with to make sure you understood it.
  • Ask yourself how what you read connects to what you already know.

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