In “Snakes and How They Get Energy,” students explore the diets and hunting methods employed by a variety of snakes, helping students to understand snakes’ crucial role in a wide variety of environments. This activity was designed to flow from reading intensive to hands-on, providing 1-3 hours of programming.

Begin by watching this documentary on snakes. Follow the video up with a short discussion on snakes.

Conversation Starters:
         Ask:

        - What do you think snakes eat?

        - What role do you think snakes play in their environments?

        - How do you think snakes hunt

Standards:

          K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals

          (including humans) need to survive.

          2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity

          of life in different habitats.

          3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be

          influenced by the environment.
          4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal

          and external structures that function to support survival, growth,

          behavior, and reproduction.

Science and Engineering Practices:
        - Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
        - Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
        - Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Disciplinary Core Ideas:
         LS1.A: Structure and Function

         LS1.C: Organization and Energy Flow in Organisms
         LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans

Cross-Cutting Concepts:
        - Patterns
        - Structure and Function