Python Teachers' Guide

PYTHON
CHRISTOPHER CHENG & MARK JACKSON
These notes are for:

Grades K3
Ages 58
Key Learning Areas:
Science
English
Example of:
Picture book
Nonfiction
Themes and Ideas:

Reptiles
Natural habitats
Life cycles
Environment
aded and
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Cheng established the Taronga Zoos Zoomobile, which
brings native creatures to students at their schools. He taught at the
Taronga Zoo for eight years and has written many books for children.
He lives in Sydney, Australia.
Python
Author: Christopher Cheng
Illustrator: Mark Jackson
978-0-7636-6396-4
$15.99 ($18.00 CAN)
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Mark Jackson has illustrated several award-winning books for children. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.
HOW TO USE THESE NOTES
This story works on many levels. The suggested activities are therefore for a wide age and ability range. Please select
accordingly. These notes may be adapted to suit all ages.
Illustrations 2012 by Mark Jackson. All rights reserved.
For information about new releases, the latest awards news, and links to a range of teacher resources, sign up to receive our
Candlewick Classroom newsletter at www.candlewick.com/newsletter.asp.
More books about reptiles:
HC: 978-0-7636-7831-9
HC: 978-0-7636-1139-2
PYTHON
LITERATURE AND LITERACY

Exploring the context of literature
Gather photos of snakes in general and pythons in particular. Define some characteristics and then group these images accordingly.
Research information about pythons from books, videos, and the Internetincluding data on pythons as pets and in the wild. Create an
interactive presentation about pythons to present to the class.
Create a matching game for pictures and words about pythons.
Design the ultimate python enclosure for a zoo. Label features and present to the class.
Contact the local herpetological society and invite a speaker to talk about reptiles.
Examining literature
The text in this book is presented in two styles. Identify the formats. Why do you think the author did this? Read the book using each
format separately and then discuss how the different formats change the purpose and alter the perception of Python.
Identify the events in a pythons life as described in Python. Work in small groups to present this to the rest of the class.
As a class, write a list of the facts about pythons as presented in the book.
Illustrations 2012 by Mark Jackson. All rights reserved. Notes 2012 by Christopher Cheng.
Responding to literature
Before beginning a study of this title, conduct a class survey to ascertain reactions to pythons. Redo the poll after reading Python and
discuss results.
Discuss as a class whether or not a python is a good animal for a pet.
Find a picture of a python and identify its physical characteristics.
Write a diary or blog entry about how you would feel if you encountered a python in the wild.
Creating literature
Create a poster about the rules and responsibilities of keeping reptiles as pets.
Write a narrative illustrating a newly hatched pythons first days.
Choose and research information for another animal and create a book in the style of Python.
Rewrite the factual information in the book as a narrative and then compare the impact of the two narratives.
LANGUAGE
Examining text structure and cohesion
Discuss why the text in Python is presented in two fonts and how it might contribute to the understanding of the title.
Is this a story or an informational book? Discuss the features of each text type.
List all the forms of descriptive language in this book. Construct similar lists for other animals.
Examining grammar & vocabulary
Find a sentence that ends with an ellipsis. Discuss the effect this has on the narrative.
Brainstorm a list of animals and their movements. Construct and then play a game matching the animal and their movements. Identify the
movements that are linked to multiple animals.
Using the index, create a glossary of words relating to pythons.
Examining visual and multimodal features
Turn to page 22. Where is the python looking? Discuss the impact of this image.
Compare the illustration on page 22 with that on pages 16 17. Scan in the images and then examine and draw vectors for where the
python and rat are looking. Discuss these images.
Directions:
1. Cut out the head and tail and stick them to a large sheet of paper.
2. Draw a long and winding body connecting the head to the tail.
3. Trace around your feet onto the colored paper and then cut them
out to make scales.
4. Glue the scales onto the snakes body, making sure they are all
layered in the correct direction.
HEAD
You will need:

Printouts of the pythons head and tail
Long sheet of paper
Sheets of colorful paper
Pencils
Scissors
Glue
Make a giant python with colorful scales to decorate your

classroom wall.
ACTIVITY 1: GIANT SNAKE
Illustrations 2012 by Mark Jackson. All rights reserved. Activity sheet 2014 by Candlewick Press. Notes 2012 by Christopher Cheng.
PYTHON
PYTHON
TAIL
PYTHON
ACTIVITY 2:
SPRINGY HANGING SNAKE
Directions:
1. Glue bits of colorful paper or color in the pythons scales.
2. Carefully cut along the dark outline of the python.
3. Make a small hole in the pythons tail and thread some string through.
4. Hang your springy pythons from the ceiling!

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What is the book about?

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PYTHON

CHRISTOPHER CHENG & MARK JACKSON

These notes are for:

Themes and Ideas:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Illustrations 2012 by Mark Jackson. All rights reserved.

More books about reptiles:

CHRISTOPHER CHENG & MARK JACKSON

LITERATURE AND LITERACY

You will need:

Make a giant python with colorful scales to decorate your

ACTIVITY 1: GIANT SNAKE

CHRISTOPHER CHENG & MARK JACKSON

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