The Worm Trick: teacher key

Alligator Snapping Turtles, grade 3 edition, written for 3rd grade. This big river turtle lies still and waves a tongue that looks like a worm. Fish swim close to it.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. How are the three ridges on its upper shell lined up?
   • Front to back (answer)
   • Side to side
   • In a circle
2. Which turtles grow larger?
   • Females
   • Males (answer)
   • Both are the same
3. What does the turtle show to lure prey?
   • The worm-like part of its tongue (answer)
   • Its claws
   • Its tail
4. What happens when the turtle waves its tongue?
   • Fish swim close (answer)
   • Fish swim away
   • The water gets warm
5. Why does the turtle lie still on the river bottom?
   • It is asleep
   • It shows its tongue to lure prey (answer)
   • It is looking for a nest
6. How do these turtles typically live?
   • In big groups
   • Alone (answer)
   • In pairs

Words

• ridges: raised lines
• lure: draw close
• prey: food animal
• algae: tiny water plants