Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to compare and contrast alligators and crocodiles, and understand their habitats and behaviors.

Materials and Prep

Materials: Paper, pencil

Prep: None

Activities

1. Draw and label a picture of an alligator and a crocodile, noting their differences and similarities.

2. Read a short passage about alligators and crocodiles, and write down three interesting facts about each.

3. Create a short story or poem about an alligator or crocodile, using descriptive language to describe their appearance and behaviors.

Third Grade Talking Points

• Alligators and crocodiles are reptiles that live in water and on land. You can say, "Alligators and crocodiles are reptiles, which means they are cold-blooded animals that lay eggs and have scales."
• Alligators have a wider, U-shaped snout, while crocodiles have a longer, V-shaped snout. You can say, "Alligators have a wider snout that looks like the letter U, while crocodiles have a longer snout that looks like the letter V."
• Alligators mainly live in freshwater habitats, while crocodiles can be found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. You can say, "Alligators like to live in freshwater areas like swamps and lakes, while crocodiles can live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats like rivers and coastal areas."