Introduction
This Unit was developed as part of the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Technology Mini Grant Engaged Learning Project 2001.

Content Area and Grade Level
This is a Reading/Language Arts and Science Unit for second grade students.  It is intended to teach Reading/Language Arts goals as well as state writing requirements.  It is also intended to supplement the Science text in order to meet state goals.

Curriculum Standards
Illinois State Science Goals

• 12.A.1a  Describe and compare characteristics of living things in their region.
• 12.A.1j  Categorize animals.

Illinois State reading/Language Arts Goals

• 1.B.1a  Identify purposes, make predictions, connect important ideas, link text to previous experiences and knowledge.
• 1.B.1b  Clarify meaning when necessary.
• 1.C.1a   Summarize text content.
• 2.A.1a   Demonstrate understanding of literature elements.
• 3.C.1     Write for a specific purpose-narrative paragraph.
• 5.A.1a  Identify and use traditional and electronical resources.

Resources Needed

• Verdi by Janell Cannon
• Vocabulary words (available on student page)
• Puzzlemaker.com
• Vocabulary Companion
• Student Science Text
• K-W-L Chart for class (available on student page)
• Story Map (available on Student Page)
• Snake Web Sites (available on Student Page)
• Kid Pix-Make a slide show of snake from birth to death.

This unit can be done in a one teacher classroom plus the help of your computer technician to assist with web site search.
This unit is also intended to be used with the Mini Grant computers in classroom.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge
The children need to have basic computer skills.  This is an introductory lesson so no prior knowledge of snakes is required.  Students must be familiar with the story map (characters, setting, problem, details, and solution).  Students must also be familiar with creative writing.  Students must also be familiar with Kid Pix Slide Show.

The teacher needs to research web sites to be explored by students, vocabulary, be familiar with creative writing and be familiar with Kid Pix slide show.

Evaluation
The teacher can evaluate the students from their notes taken on web search days.  Teacher can evaluate students writing process through student/teacher created rubric.  Teacher can evaluate students overall snake knowledge through completed quiz.  Teacher can evaluate students cooperativeness and finished product of compare/contrast of a young/old snake through slide show.

Conclusion
The activities in this unit will provide the children with a variety of opportunities ot learn about  snakes using their basic text and technology.