1) Students are trying to make the western painted turtle ________ state reptile.
a) Washington's
b) Connecticut's
c) Colorado's
2) Messenger is a __________.
a) flying robot
b) planet
c) scientist
3) The war in Iraq began ________ years ago.
a) two
b) five
c) 10
4) There are about _________ million people living in Iraq.
a) 27.5
b) 60
c) 158
5) To govern means to _________.
a) order
b) manage
c) destroy
ANSWERS:
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. B
Teaching Background:
Turtle Time
Students try to make the western painted turtle Colorado's state reptile.
Before You Read
Ask: What are state symbols? What do symbols, such as a song or a flower, show about a state?
Vocabulary
cold-blooded: having a body temperature that is dependent on the environment
reptile: a cold-blooded animal that lays eggs
Background
~How did students get the attention of lawmakers? The students in Jay Baichi's fourth-grade class at Skyline Vista Elementary School sent an e-mail with their idea to a local representative. The representative met with students. She introduced the bill into the state House of Representatives. A committee from the house recently passed the bill. The Senate and House of Representatives must approve the bill for it to become a law.
~What made students choose the turtle? The students contacted local experts to find out what reptiles were indigenous to Colorado. They decided to go with the turtle because they thought some of the other reptiles, like snakes, might frighten some people.
Think Critically
What animals would make good symbols for your state? Why?
Extend the Lesson
Study state symbols. Share your state's symbols with students. Have students write one or two sentences explaining how each symbol represents your state. Students can also draw pictures of the symbols to go with the explanations.
Web Resource
For more about western painted turtles, visit www.northern.edu/natsource/REPTILES/Wester1.htm.
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