Title: _Reptiles_STEAM Lesson Brief
Educators on the team: (for certification max: 4/team) David Andrade, Joelle Bertschy, Laura Hunter,
Kara McCulloch__
When & Where you attended a training. Dates _2014-2015___ Town/State Knob Noster Elementary
School, Knob Noster, MO
Students use knowledge from across the disciplines to strengthen their understanding of each subject’s
content and its related careers through topic or theme oriented realistic problem-based activity-rich
lessons.
Theme that this lesson would tie to: Animals
Specific Topic Concept within that theme: Reptiles
*Filling out the black items makes this a basic plan, filling out the grey makes it a possible publishable
STEAM plan. PLEASE have the notes sheet open on how to fill this out – what is under Science is the
basis for filling out each subject and there is subject-specific items in the other category’s notes too.
PROJECT IDEA + brief notes & supplies
BASIC CONCEPTS
Concept: Research and learn about
reptiles, construct reptile diorama,
measure elapsed time for stages of life,
read expository text, summarize and
write reports, compare habitats of
different animals, identify color
contrast, understand how environment
can affect circulatory systems and
listen to iguana lullaby and identify the
culture from which it originates
Science –
 Concepts –identify and describe characteristics of
animals specifically reptiles, create their habitat and
measure their life cycle
 The student will read expository text, summarize, and
write reports
 Goal / Objectives – The students will learn the specific
characteristics of reptiles and compare and contrast
those characteristics to other animal groups. They will
also relate those similarities and differences between
the animal parents and their offspring.
 Standards – Characteristics and interactions of living
organisms(SC3)
 Careers – zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
 Project – Students will explore the characteristics of
reptiles through compare and contrast with
amphibians using a Venn diagram, this project will
also use painted handprints to represent each animal,
(see example) a power point reptile report, sequence
the life cycle of reptiles by constructing a diorama
 Assessment – power point rubric – the student will
accurately compare and contrast reptiles and
amphibians and detail similarities and differences
Basic Plan: The students will learn the
specific characteristics of reptiles and
compare and contrast those
characteristics to other animal groups.
We will bring in reptiles for the
students to observe. Hopefully, the
state park can help by sending a ranger
with some artifacts.
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STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
Skill level (Grade Range):second grade
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Timing of Lesson: one-two weeks, math
lessons are 60 minutes, reading lessons
are 90 minutes, music lessons are 50
minutes, art lessons are 50 minutes,
physical education lessons are 50
minutes, science and social studies
lessons are 30-40 minutes
Basic Supplies: books, computers,
videos, art supplies
All Subjects: science, language arts
Individual Subjects: science
Science – Research notes, computer
Math-Judy clock
Technology and Engineeringcomputer, art supplies
LA-expository textbooks
Social Studies- maps
Art-oil pastels
Music-song Inanaya
P.E.-map of circulatory system
IT Resources:
websites Pebblego.com,
National Geographic for Kids.com
Other Resources:
books on reptiles
videos :
Brainpop Jr.
Magic Schoolbus Cold Feet
Science for Children- Reptiles
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between animal parents and offspring
Extension - Orally present power point to other
classes and answer questions from the audience
correctly.
Technology & Engineering –
 Concepts –using internet sources to find information
on reptiles and engineer the construction of a
diorama reptilian habitat
 Goal / Objectives - The students will learn the specific
characteristics of reptiles and compare and contrast
those characteristics to other animal groups. They will
also relate those similarities and differences between
the animal parents and their offspring.
 Standards - Characteristics and interactions of living
organisms(SC3)
 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse
media and formats, including visually and
quantitatively, as well as in words. (R.CCR.7)
 Careers - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
 Project - the student will construct a diorama from
construction paper, paper, pipe cleaner, clay or any
other type of medium to represent the habitat where
the reptile lives, they will include what they have
learned to show how they could improve the lives of
the reptile
 Assessment – power point rubric – Detail similarities
and differences between animal parents and offspring
 Extension - Orally present power point to other
classes and answer questions from the audience
correctly.
Math –
 Concepts –measure elapsed time for stages of the life
cycle
 Goal / Objectives – recognize that animals progress
through life cycles of birth, growth and development,
reproduction and death
 Standards – characteristics and interactions of living
organisms(SC3)
 Tell and write time from clocks to nearest 5
minutes(2.MD.7)
 Careers - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
 Project – the student will develop a power point
about reptiles and their life cycle and what they have
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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Photos: need chameleon art project
picture here
sample of handprint Venn diagram of
reptile and amphibian
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LA –
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SS –
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learned, the students will show elapsed time through
the stages of the life cycle on different slides
Assessment – power point rubric – Detail similarities
and differences between animal parents and offspring
and check the accuracy of representation of elapsed
time
Extension - Orally present power point to other
classes and answer questions from the audience
correctly.
Concepts –reading expository text, summarize,
writing reports
Goal / Objectives – the students will read to find
information pertaining to the reptiles in order to
compare and contrast characteristics with other
animal groups, as well as, find specific information
pertaining to the reptile they are reporting on
Standards – read and comprehend complex literary
and informational texts independently and
proficiently(R.CCR.10)
Speaking and Listening standard-Recount or describe
key ideas or details from a text read aloud or
information presented orally or through other
media(SL.2.2)
Speaking and Listening standard -Ask and answer
questions about what a speaker says in order to
clarify comprehension, gather additional information,
or deepen understanding of a topic or issue. (SL.2.3)
Careers - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
Project - the student will take notes on information
learned from research from expository text and the
internet to develop a power point about reptiles and
what they have learned
Assessment – students will complete a four square
graphic organizer using the notes taken, this will be
graded for detail of reptile characteristics and
similarities and differences between animal parents
and offspring
Extension - Orally present power point to other
classes and answer questions from the audience
correctly.
Concepts –habitats of reptiles
Goal / Objectives – the students will compare the
habitats and land areas of different reptiles
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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Standards – define regions as places that have
common characteristics, climate and physical (SS5)
Careers - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
Project - - the student will develop a power point
about reptiles including where they live and why, the
students will use a map and color in two regions that
have the same characteristics for the reptilian habitat
Assessment – the power point should detail the
regions as a places that have characteristics and
climate necessary for reptilian life
Extension - Orally present power point to other
classes and answer questions from the audience
correctly.
Art –
Concepts – warm and cold color families
Goal / Objectives - We talked about color families, warm and
cool. We also examined how to combine shapes such as
triangles, squares and ovals to draw/create a chameleon.
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Standards - Identify and use color contrast (VA2)
 Careers - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
Project - We looked at a PowerPoint presentation about the
artist Franz Marc. We learned that he lived in Germany and we
found Germany on a world map. We examined his paintings
and we learned that he liked to paint animals and he used nonrealistic color and he combined shapes to create animals.
Together we read "Chameleons are Cool" by Martin Jenkins.
We learned that chameleons are reptiles and discussed
chameleon facts such as:
There are 148 kinds of chameleons.
The largest chameleon is the size of a small cat, the smallest
fits on the tip of a finger.
Chameleons change color when they are angry, too cold or
hot, or when they are sick.
Chameleons’ eyes move separately from each other, unlike
our eyes which work together.
We used oil pastels to color the chameleon, thinking about
colors that would show contrast when used side by side.
We will use watercolor paint to fill in the background,
discussing how the oil pastel will resist the watercolor because
oil and water do not mix.
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PE –
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Assessment – orally identify the color contrast in their
picture and describe the color families used
Extension –displayed art work in the hallway
Concepts –circulatory system
Goal / Objectives – to understand how environment
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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can affect the circulatory system of some living
organisms
Standards - Identify the parts of the circulatory
and respiratory systems of the body (circulatory heart, blood, veins, arteries; respiratory - lungs,
mouth, nose, bronchial tubes, trachea) (NH1)
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Careers - - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
Project – students act like a reptile through
movement, moving slowly during the fall to winter
hibernating, then begin moving again in spring, and
actively moving fast in summer representing the
blood in the circulatory system
Assessment – explain why they are moving as they are
relating the temperature to the effect of the
circulatory system
Extension –compare the circulatory systems of other
animal groups and discuss how this would affect
reptiles
Music –
 Concepts –listening to an Australian lullaby about an
iguana Inanaya (South Pacific)And Kangaroo Played
His Didgeridoo; Author: Nigel Gray
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Goal / Objectives – the students will understand that
this lullaby originates from the Aborigine culture
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Echo sing melodic and rhythmic patterns using chest
and head voice.
Sing from memory a variety of songs representing
diverse genres, styles and cultures, including partner
songs and two-part.
Sing in groups demonstrating characteristic timber,
dynamics and rhythmic accuracy in time, interpreting
cues of the conductor.
Describe the elements and function of music in various
settings and cultural events.
Identify and describe the roles for musicians in various
music settings and cultures
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Standards – Singing or playing games to listen for
historical, cultural context (FA5)
Listening for musical characteristics. events or
descriptors (FA3)
Careers - - zoologist, herpetologist, zookeeper, pet
store owner
Project – The students will listen to the Australian
lullaby and the story of the iguana that sneaks into
the Aborigine home to wake the children. They will
learn the words and sing the song.
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Show Australia on a world map. Read story.
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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Discuss Australian Aboriginal Music.
 Used for ceremonies
 Sounds represent nature
 Didgeridoo and clapsticks main
instruments
 Didgeridoo is one of the oldest
instruments that we know of,
accompanies ceremonies and singing;
played only by men
Teach song by rote.
Add movement: Sway in a rocking motion. At
the refrain, move hands in a “shoo away”
motion.
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Assessment – students explain where the song comes
from and why it was told
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Teacher listens for proper singing voices and part
independence
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Extension –Find Australia on the map and pictures
from the Aborigine culture, as well as, pictures of the
reptile; the iguana and students discuss how reptiles
live all over the world and are a part of the ecosystem
and cultures of these areas.
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief