Lesson Plan - Invaders!

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge by watching the video “Wanted: Invasive Species.” Ask: What are some ways that invasive species have arrived in the U.S.? What problems do the species cause?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• captivity
• abundant

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about why it is not a good idea to release goldfish into lakes or rivers.

1. According to the article, how did goldfish get into U.S. ponds, lakes, and rivers?
Goldfish got into U.S. ponds, lakes, and rivers when people released unwanted pet goldfish into these waterways.
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2. What is the meaning of the word abundant as it is used in the article? What clues in the article support the idea that goldfish are abundant in some U.S. waterways?
Abundant means “existing or available in large amounts.” One clue that goldfish are abundant in U.S. waterways is the sentence “There are millions of goldfish in U.S. waterways.” Another is the sentence “Before long they can take over a body of water.”
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3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Other Unwanted Guests”?
The purpose of the sidebar, “Other Unwanted Guests,” is to describe three other invasive species causing problems in the U.S.—the nutria, spotted lanternfly, and Burmese python.
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FEATURED SKILL: Cause and Effect
Use the skill builder “Causes and Effects” to analyze the article’s cause-and-effect text structure.
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