Reading LEAD 5th - B3 - L4

Lead5th GradeBook 3 Lesson 4

Beasts

Bite

that

start

Pre-activity

Vocabulary

Post-activity

Reading

Write About It!

Grammar Check

Check Your Understanding 1

Check Your Understanding 2

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1. Pre-activity

Watch one of the videos and activate your brain.

What animals are dangerous to humans in your country?

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2. Vocabulary

Press the start button and practice.

Beasts That Bite

Listen carefully to the story and follow along. Click on the pink words to help you understand.

You are walking in a national park on a sunny day. Fresh air fills your lungs. You feel happy. But, ahead, you see something that stops you in your tracks… a monster?

Its tongue flicks in and out. Its scales are tough as rock. It hides during the day and seeks its prey at night. This is the Gila monster. Pioneers in the Wild West believed that this lizard’s breath was toxic. They thought its bite could kill even the hardiest cowboys. Those early settlers gave it the fearsome name of “monster.” But don’t worry. The Gila monster does have a deadly bite, but it only eats small birds, rodents, and insects. Today, doctors are making medicine from its venom. Its bite now helps doctors fight the real monsters of cancer and diabetes.

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Gila monster

Beasts That Bite

The Southeastern United States is home to another monster, lurking in the swamps. It is the American alligator, one of the country’s most feared animals. They can grow to huge sizes. One found in Everglades National Park weighed 473 kilograms and measured 5 meters long! Alligators have up to 80 teeth. Their tough skin is perfect for protection. They are fast both on land and in the water.

Alligators usually don’t go near people. They prefer to eat smaller animals. But don’t get near their eggs! Mother alligators guard their families fiercely. They will protect their babies at any cost.

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American alligator

Beasts That Bite

The tornado alarm sounds. Everyone has to head into their shelter under the ground. You feel safe here until you look behind you. Don’t move! There is a black widow spider hanging over your shoulder.

Black widows are very poisonous spiders that like cool, dark places like basements. These spiders are found all over North America, but many are found in the central part of the country. They have unique red markings on their backs. They are “widows” because the female kills and eats the male after mating. Even though this spider is small, it packs a punch. Its venom can kill many animals.

Black widow

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Beasts That Bite

In the northwestern reaches of the United States, some visitors can hear a roar coming from deep in the forest. The brown bear, also known as the “grizzly.”

Grizzly

Makes its home in many of the country’s northern national parks. “Grizzly” means “fear inspiring.” This bear stands 3 meters tall on its hind legs. Their bite can crush bowling balls. But most of the time, they are found fishing or eating berries.

Read more

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4. Grammar Check

Circle the modal verb that best completes the sentences below.

Do you want to know more about MODAL VERBS?

1. Gila monsters' venom (should/might/will) help us cure cancer and diabetes. 2. If you see a black widow spider, you (should/might/will) stay far away. 3. Alligators (should/may not/will) attack human if they feel their babies are threatened. 4. My mom says I (may not/might not/will not) go hiking alone because there are bears in the forest.

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5. Check Your Understanding 1

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Complete the table using facts about each of the animals from the story. In the first column, list the animal's main method of hunting. In the second column, write if the animal is small, medium, or large. In the third column, write where in the country you think the animal mostly lives.

Drag these facts to the correct place:

Southwestern USA

large

large

Southwestern USA

small

Northwestern USA

bite

bite, claws

bite

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6. Check Your Understanding 2

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"Grizzly" is a better word to say "scary." Copy the table below in your notebook, list a word that you might use to describe each animal listed in the story. Then, use a thesaurus or a dictionary to find a better word. Write that word on the right.

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7. Write About it!

Think of a scary or unique animal from your area or use a scary or unique animal that wasn't listed in the story. Describe the animal in your notebook and make sure to write why you think it's scary or unique. Use facts and descriptions to teach about the animal.

Include an illustration of your animal in the sapce below. You can draw a picture of use one from the Internet or other media sources.

Share it with your teacher!

8. Post-activity

Based on the descriptions of the animals in the story, which animal do you think is the scariest? Which is the least scary? Rank the animals from scariest to least scary below and give your reasons.

Gila monster

American alligator

Grizzly

Black widow

Record your answer and send it to your teacher. You can also share it with Amco.

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Good Job!