1. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest Julie, Lauren M., Kelly, Maria

2. GLE standards (Math & Science): SCIENCE GLE’s Interactions among organisms and their environments d. Predict which plant or animal will be able to survive in a specific environment based on its special structures or behaviors 1.Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems and processes of measurement 2.MA2 3.1 Identify and justify the unit of linear measure including perimeter

3. Phase of the Learning Cycle: Explore the actual height of a giraffe Explain how their attributes impact their lifestyle

4. Overview of Mini-Lesson: Read the book aloud, pointing out all the extraordinary facts. Discuss surprises, disbeliefs, and interesting facts Use book appendix to choose an animal to measure. Students will choose the appropriate resource (ruler, yardstick, tape measure) to make a real- life model of animal chosen. Compare and contrast and reflect

5. Connection to prior articles: “How do you choose Science trade books?” “The Learning Cycle” by Lorspach