September 2022

Working With Sloths

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Academic Standards

 

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify steps that scientists use to conduct an investigation.

 

Reading Level:

Lexile: 440L; GRL: J

 

Next Generation Science Standards:

Practice 3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

2-LS4-1 Observe plants and animals in their habitats.

 

Vocabulary:

question, observe, record, conclusion

Use these questions to check students’ understanding and stimulate discussion:

 

1. What question did Becky start by asking?
(What kind of leaves do sloths eat?)

2. What did Becky do to find the answer?
(She went to the jungle and observed sloths.)

3. How did Becky use her notebook?
(She used it to record what she observed.)

4. What question would you like to ask about sloths?
(Answers will vary.)

Go online to print or project the Reading Checkpoint.

 

  • Sloths are the slowest mammals on Earth.
  • Moving slowly in the treetops helps sloths stay safe. Hungry eagles have a hard time spotting the slow-moving sloths in the lush leaves.
  • Sloth moms teach their babies how to move safely in the treetops. They also teach them which leaves are safe to eat.

Materials: clipboards, pencils, copies of the skill sheet (optional: hand lenses)

Overview: Like Becky the sloth scientist, students will go outside, find an animal, observe it, and record what it does. (Alternate: Observe a tree or other item in nature, or use animal photos/videos indoors.)

Directions:

  1. Before you leave the classroom, remind students that scientists like Becky learn about animals by observing them. This takes patience! It can take Becky hours to spot a sloth. Tell students they’ll go outside to try to spot and observe an animal too!
  2. Before you leave the classroom, remind students that scientists like Becky learn about animals by observing them. This takes patience! It can take Becky hours to spot a sloth. Tell students they’ll go outside to try to spot and observe an animal too!
  3. Ask students what animals they think they might see (birds, insects, squirrels?). Remind them they can observe with their ears as well as their eyes.
  4. First, let kids soak in the environment. When they do find an animal, give them time to watch quietly.
  5. Record observations on the skill sheets, sharing if time allows.