Lesson Plan - Python Patrol

Watch a Video: Wanted: Invasive Species
Discuss: What are some ways species have “invaded” new locations?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• remote
• ecosystem

Set a Purpose for Reading
Note the “As You Read” question. Have students think about how pythons are affecting the Everglades.

1. Why are Burmese pythons considered an invasive species in Florida?
An invasive species is one that is introduced to an area and harms native species. Burmese pythons were originally brought to the U.S. from Asia and are now eating many other species in the Florida Everglades.
^{R.4 Domain-Specific Vocabulary}

2. Why does the author note that adult Burmese pythons have few natural predators in the Everglades?
The author makes this point to show that there are few checks on the number of Burmese pythons in the Everglades. The population is growing.
^{R.8 Author’s Purpose}

3. Why are Burmese pythons hard to find in the Everglades, according to the article?
The article explains that the snakes’ scaly, spotted skin is perfect camouflage. It allows them to hide in the tall grass of the Everglades.
^{R.5 Cause and Effect}

FEATURED SKILL: Problem and Solution
Use the Skill Builder “What’s the Problem?” to have students explore the problem/solution text structure of the article.