The document provides details about a 2nd grade lesson on South American animals. Students will research physical descriptions, habitats, food sources, and adaptations of different South American animals. They will take notes from library books and databases. To assess learning, each student will create a "guessing book" page about their animal that includes a drawing and facts about its physical description, habitat, food, and adaptations with the question "Who am I?" at the bottom.

1. South American Animals, 2nd Grade
Science TEKS:
2.9(A) identify the external characteristics of different kinds of plants and animals that allow their needs to be met
2.9(B) compare and give examples of the ways living organisms depend on each other and on their environments
Language Arts/Reading TEKS:
2.7(B) read from a variety of genres for pleasure and to acquire information from both print and electronic sources
2.10 (B) demonstrate understanding of informational text in various ways such as through writing, illustrating,
developing demonstrations, and using available technology
2.12(A) identify relevant questions for inquiry such as "Why do birds build different kinds of nests?"
2.12(D) use multiple sources, including print such as an encyclopedia, technology, and experts, to locate
information that addresses questions
2.12 (F) locate and use important areas of the library media center
2.12(G) demonstrate learning through productions and displays such as murals, written and oral reports, and
dramatizations
Before Library:
• Instruction about scientific terms such as: adaptation, habitat, rain forest, etc. (teacher)
• Generate list of animals (librarian)
• Students select animal – see attachment (teacher)
In library:
• Read aloud: FERNANDO’S GIFT (librarian)
• Questions: physical description, habitat, food, adaptation (librarian)
• Show example page about coatimundi (librarian)
• Review procedures for library portal (librarian)
• Explain note-taking sheet (librarian)
Student Research:
• Students use library portal to access databases
• Students use library books
• Students document 2-3 facts in each category: Physical description, Habitat, Food, Adaptation,
Cool facts
Student Product/Assessment:
• Each student will make a page of a “guessing book” about their animal.
CLOSED: OPEN:
Physical Description
Habitat Drawing
Food Of
Adaptation Animal
Cool Fact
Who am I?
What to bring:
• Student logins
• Markers
• Crayons
• Glue

2. http://www.rainforestanimals.net/guide.html
http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/serve_home.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/southamer.shtml
Black Caiman
Anaconda
Boa Constrictor
Poison Dart Frog

3. Poison Arrow Frog
Red Eyed Tree Frog
Blue Morpho Butterfly
Leaf Cutter Ant

4. Harpy Eagle
Hoatzin
Parrot
Resplendent Quetzal
Toucan

5. Capybara
Jaguar
Spider Monkey
Manatee

6. Piranha
Sloth
Ocelot
Golden Lion Tamarin
Chinchilla

7. Nandu
Basilisk
Puma
Rhinoceros Beetle