Opossums

Objectives:

• Students will be able to describe the physical characteristics of opossums.

• Students will be able to identify the behavioral characteristics of opossums.

Suggested Grades:

3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension worksheet passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

An opossum is a marsupial - the only marsupial that is native to North America. Marsupials are animals, like kangaroos, that have pouches in which to carry their young. Baby opossums are born in groups of about twelve. They are born tiny, blind and without fur. Females keep newborns in their pouches for about three months. Older babies cling to their mother's fur until they are too heavy to do so. Once they are big enough, they are on their own and begin to search for food themselves.

Continued...