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Children will describe the characteristics of a slow loris and determine their own opinion about this nocturnal creature.
animal adaptations
key details, vocabulary, opinion writing, nonfiction text features
read a diagram
nocturnal, communicate, venom
RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5, text features; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions
490L
Provide students with some background on creepy animals.
Build background knowledge (10 min.)
Watch our video "The Truth About Creepy Creatures." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:
Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)
Read together (20 min.)
Pass out the Read and Think skill sheet. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions.
Review vocabulary (3 min.)
Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are nocturnal, communicate, and venom.
Assessment: Reading Quiz
Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.
Slow Loris by Alexis Deacon (20 min.)
Think you know everything about the slow loris? This fictional tale would be a great read following this issue. Readers may be surprised by what a zoo-bound slow loris does at night, while the rest of the zoo is sleeping!
You can use our printable worksheets to focus on ELA skills. Here’s how.
ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)
Editor’s Pick: Opinion Writing (15 min.)
ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)
Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on creepy animals:
You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here: