By: Thane MaynardBy: Thane Maynard

Komodo DragonsGenre: Expository Nonfiction

Author’s Purpose - Inform

Reading Skill: Context Clues

Compiled by Terry Sams, Piedmont

SummarySummary Even though Komodo dragons don't fly or Even though Komodo dragons don't fly or

breathe fire, they do look like little dragons.  breathe fire, they do look like little dragons.  These reptiles - the largest lizards in the These reptiles - the largest lizards in the world - live in the Komodo Island area of world - live in the Komodo Island area of Indonesia.  The adult dragons can grow to Indonesia.  The adult dragons can grow to be more than 10 feet long and can weigh a be more than 10 feet long and can weigh a much as 250 pounds.  They are strong much as 250 pounds.  They are strong enough to kill a water buffalo, which can enough to kill a water buffalo, which can weigh more than 1,000 pounds! weigh more than 1,000 pounds!

Genre: Expository Nonfiction

Expository Expository NonfictionNonfiction is fiction that gives factual information about the real world.

It explains the nature of something, or tells what something is like.

It uses methods of expository nonfiction such as definition, comparison and contrast, example, and classification.

Comprehension Skill – Comprehension Skill – Context CluesContext Clues

•When you see unfamiliar words, use context clues, or words around the unfamiliar word, to figure out its meaning. •The context may give a definition or an explanation.

Example: Animals that eat other animals are called predators

Sometimes a synonym is used as a context clue.

Example: Komodo dragons are carnivores, or meat-eaters.

Practice Context Clues Practice Context Clues TE 231aTE 231a

Unfamiliar WordUnfamiliar Word Context ClueContext Clue Type of ClueType of Clue

scalesscales rough, bumpy, rough, bumpy, look like armorlook like armor

descriptiondescription

predatorspredators animals that eat animals that eat other animalsother animals

definitiondefinition

forkedforked y-shapedy-shaped descriptiondescription

Go to page 222 and reread the first paragraph.

Comprehension Review – Main Idea and Details

The topic is the thing the author is writing about. The most important thing about this topic is called the main idea.

Some main ideas can be found in the first sentence or paragraph.

Sometimes the author does not state the main idea, and you have to infer,

or figure out for yourself this main idea.

Research Skill - EncyclopediaResearch Skill - Encyclopedia An An encyclopediaencyclopedia gives general information gives general information

about many different subjects. about many different subjects. EncyclopediasEncyclopedias are organized in a set of are organized in a set of

volumesvolumes, or books, usually in ABC order., or books, usually in ABC order. An An entryentry is an encyclopedia article. They are is an encyclopedia article. They are

listed in ABC order also.listed in ABC order also. An An entry wordentry word is the word or phrase that begins is the word or phrase that begins

each entry and tells its subject.each entry and tells its subject. A A key wordkey word identifies the information you are identifies the information you are

trying to find.trying to find.

Weekly Fluency Check -Weekly Fluency Check -Read with Attention to Read with Attention to

PunctuationPunctuation Students should read with attention to punctuation, Students should read with attention to punctuation,

for example, using punctuation for example, using punctuation to help you read nonfiction. Both passages begin to help you read nonfiction. Both passages begin

with questions which are answered in the body of with questions which are answered in the body of the paragraph that follows. Encourage students to the paragraph that follows. Encourage students to read with attention to how punctuation improves read with attention to how punctuation improves reading ease. reading ease.

Go to pages 220, beginning at the top of the page. Go to pages 220, beginning at the top of the page.

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1.1. Where do Komodo dragons Where do Komodo dragons live, and what is the climate live, and what is the climate like?like?

2.2. Describe a Komodo dragon.Describe a Komodo dragon.

3.3. Why do they stick out their Why do they stick out their tongue?tongue?

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1.1. Why is the tongue “forked”?Why is the tongue “forked”?

2.2. Describe how baby Komodo Describe how baby Komodo dragons are born.dragons are born.

3.3. Why do Komodo dragons Why do Komodo dragons swish their tails back and swish their tails back and forth?forth?

Main IdeaMain Idea

On a clean sheet of paper, On a clean sheet of paper, list the main ideas from this list the main ideas from this story about Komodo story about Komodo dragons.dragons.

Writing AssignmentWriting Assignment

Write a paragraph telling Write a paragraph telling what you have learned about what you have learned about Komodo dragons. Use any Komodo dragons. Use any new words you have learned. new words you have learned. Compare the lizards with Compare the lizards with other reptiles. other reptiles.

More Good StuffMore Good Stuff Komodo Dragons and their Island Komodo Dragons and their Island Spelling Hang ManSpelling Hang Man Vocabulary MatchingVocabulary Matching Internet WorkshopInternet Workshop Context Clues PracticeContext Clues Practice Reading TestReading Test Spelling TestSpelling Test

Say It!armorarmor fiercefierceharshestharshestroamroam

lizardslizardspreypreyreptilesreptiles

More Words to KnowMore Words to Know

cold-blooded

monitor

predator

armorarmor covering worn to covering worn to protect the body in protect the body in fightingfighting

fiercefierce

savage; wildsavage; wild

harshestharshest roughest to the touch, taste, roughest to the touch, taste,

eye, or ear; most difficulteye, or ear; most difficult

lizardslizards reptiles somewhat like snakes but reptiles somewhat like snakes but

with four legs and thicker bodieswith four legs and thicker bodies ; ; cold-blooded animals with cold-blooded animals with backbones and lungsbackbones and lungs

preyprey an animal hunted or seized an animal hunted or seized

for food for food

reptilesreptilesone group of cold-blooded one group of cold-blooded

animals with backbones animals with backbones and lungsand lungs

roamroamwander wander

cold-bloodedcold-bloodedhaving blood that is about the same having blood that is about the same

temperature as the air or water temperature as the air or water around the animal around the animal

monitormonitorany of a family of large any of a family of large carnivorous lizardscarnivorous lizards

predatorpredatoran animal that lives by killing an animal that lives by killing and eating other animalsand eating other animals

The man put on the armor.

The man put on the armor.

The owl is an example of a predator.

The owl is an example of a predator.

The komodo dragon is considered a monitor.

The komodo dragon is considered a monitor.

The dog is a fierce animal.

The dog is a fierce animal.

The desert is the harshest place to survive.

The desert is the harshest place to survive

Is the Komodo Dragon a cold-blooded animal?

Is the Komodo Dragon a cold-blooded animal?

I saw lizards in my friends house.

I saw lizards in my friend’s house.

The dog ate its prey.

The dog ate its prey.

Those lizards roam around the island.

Those lizards roam around the island.

Are snakes reptiles or amphibians?

Are snakes reptiles or amphibians?

Spelling Words – Vowels Spelling Words – Vowels with rwith r

ststorormmmmororningning ffororestestFlFlororidaida fforormm

ppourour ffourourteenteenccourourtt fofoururththccouroursese

Spelling Words – Vowels Spelling Words – Vowels with rwith r

sserervevehhererselfselfccerertaintainnnererveveppererfectfect

sserervevehhererselfselfccerertaintainnnererveveppererfectfect

This Week’s Word Wall WordsThis Week’s Word Wall Words

Click and type your own words for this week:

Let’s review our words. Watch carefully because they will flash on the screen for just a moment. We will clap as we spell the word.

storm

morning

forest

Florida

form

pour

herself

fourteen

nerve

perfect

dirty

court

fourth

course

skirt

serve

certain

first

girlfriend

thirsty

GREAT GREAT JOB!JOB!