Little Britches and the Rattlers
by
Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
Summary
Little Britches is heading for the rodeo in her finest rodeo attire when she encounters several rattlesnakes. Quick thinking and sharing her fine attire help her to outwit those nasty rattlers.
Ideas for Classroom Use
Discussion questions - encourage children to find examples from the story to document their answers.
“It’s gonna be a fine day,” Little Britches said to herself. Do you think it turned out to be a fine day for Little Britches?
Why weren’t these normal rattlers?
The rattlers were proud to put on Little Britches clothes. Do you think rattlers would like to snuggle up in human clothing? Why or why not?
Little Britches really didn’t want to go to the rodeo without clothes on. How did her problem get solved?
Responding to the Text
Science
Especially important snake facts to know
Many people have an unnatural fear about snakes, even though most have never even encountered one.Be sure children know that snakes help us by eating rodents and pests, thus playing an important role in balancing nature. Farmers love snakes (other than rattlers) as they keep the rodent population down around their barns and outbuildings.
RattlesnakeFacts
What do you know about rattlesnakes? At this kid website you will find factual information about rattlers and other snakes. You will also find activity sheets, snake riddles, and snake arts and crafts. Learning some facts will help your students with the Fact or Fiction activity below.
Rattlesnake Video
To watch rattlers in action and to learn a few facts about them, go to this great website:
Rattlesnakes ~ Fact or fiction?
Encourage children to work in pairs or teams and invite each group to make a T-chart on a piece of paper. The definition and an example of a comparison T-chart are found at:
On the left side of the paper, have children write “Rattlesnake Facts.” On the right side, have them write “Rattlesnake Fiction.”
Going through the book, have children consider some of these rattlesnake behaviors:
- Can a rattlesnake lift its head?
- Can a rattlesnake wear a hat?
- Can a rattlesnake talk?
- Do rattlesnakes slither?
- Can a rattlesnake button up a blouse and vest?
- Can a rattlesnake wear red boots?
- Do rattlesnakes compete with one another?
- Would they, could they, chase each other around in a circle, grab each other by the tail and swallow each other up?
- Can rattlesnakes simply disappear like they did in the book?
When children are done, compare and discuss the results.Is Eric A. Kimmel’s book more fact or fiction?
Snakes (other than rattlers) make great classroom pets
To find out if a snake is an appropriate pet for your classroom, explore this kid’s website to learn more:
Games
Play a game of “Rattlesnake.”Put on some great western music, sit in a circle with a tubesock rattlesnake and have fun. The directions for making a sock rattlesnake and playing the game are explained at this website describing a Wild West Party. You might find additional ideas to use in your classroom as well. (Click on the game under “Activities.”)
The Rattlesnake Hunter Game (from the Boy Scouts)
A little bit older children might enjoy playing this game, played by those in Boy Scout troops: