Title of Project : Animals - Reptiles - Grade One
Lesson 1: What is a Reptile?
Objectives:
Students will:
- identify the characteristics of reptiles
- use the computer as a tool to gather information from web sites
- identify some common reptiles
-complete identification chart
Instructional Methods:
- brainstorming, concept attainment
Materials Needed:
- chart paper
- markers
- book - A New True Book on Reptiles  by Lois Ballard, 1982, Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises Ic. 
or A Child's Book on Snakes, Lizards and Other Reptiles  by Kathleen Daly, 1980, Double Day & Co., New York
or an introductory book on reptiles of your choice
- identification chart  - Reptile Checklist - What Is A Reptile?
- Internet site bookmarked - Reptile Gardens Reptile, Amphibian, and Bug Photo Gallery
(http://web.archive.org/web/20040605191445/http://reptile-gardens.com/reptile/herpphotos.html) 
Activities Prior to Computer:
- Use a guided reading strategy to read an introductory book on reptiles to the class.
- Brainstorm and list on chart paper the common characteristics of reptiles. 
For example:
All reptiles have backbones.
All reptiles breathe with lungs.
All reptiles have scales on the outside of their body.
All reptiles are cold-blooded.
All reptiles live in warm places.
Baby reptiles hatch from eggs.
Babies look much like their mother and father.
Activities While at the Computer:
- Individual students will work with an adult helper or older student.
- Click on the title of the Internet site below:(already bookmarked)
Reptile Gardens Reptile, Amphibian, and Bug Photo Gallery
- There are twelve photos for view.  Have the student pick six to study in-depth.
- Have the student click on any one of the photos to view full-sized images of the animal.
- Complete the Reptile Checklist for each animal to determine if the animal is a reptile or not. *(Some animals on this website are not reptiles).  The teacher or adult supervisor may need to review the introductory book.
Activities For After Using the Computer:
- Use the box on the reptile checklist page to illustrate only the reptiles that were indentified
 - Print the reptile's name on the sheet and illustrate in the box.
ie.  The turtle in a reptile.
Student Assessment:
- Select a few students to observe. Talk with these children while they are working on the computer. Make anecdotal notes on sticky notes or make a chart to fill in.  For each child, note things such as:
* Was the student able to identify several common reptiles?
* Can the student name three characteristics of  reptiles?
* Were the checklists and illustrations completed with accuracy and detail?

On to Lesson 2 - Reptile Colors and Patterns
back to Grade One - Animal Project Page