The Australia Stinging Tree

The Australia Stinging Tree

6.RI.3

Learning Target

I will analyze how an idea is developed in a text.

Success Criteria

I will be successful by analyzing how the idea of a stinging tree is developed in the passage.

Ways authors develop ideas

• anecdotes (short, amusing stories)

• vivid descriptions

• examples/illustrations

• quotes from experts on the subject

Read the first section:

Please do not touch the Australian stinging tree

Multiple Choice

Where are stinging tree plants located?

• in deserts around the world

• in Australia

• in New Zealand

• in South America

Multiple Choice

The stinging tree delivers intense pain because it contains...

• a chemical that is similar to spider venom

• a chemical that is similar to battery acid

• sharp barbs, like a cactus

• spikes similar to animal teeth

Multiple Choice

How did the author develop the idea of the stinging tree in this section?

• Anecdotes: funny stories about how the stinging tree startled travelers

• Examples: comparing the stinging tree to crocodiles, spiders and snakes

• Descriptions: describing why contact with the stinging tree causes so much pain

Read the section:

Sensations and Pain From Stinging Trees

Multiple Choice

The average traveler would be able to identify the stinging tree by observing...

• the shape of its leaves

• the size of its needles

• signs that say "beware of stinging tree"

Multiple Choice

A brush with the tree feels most similar to...

• hitting a brick wall

• being poked with thousands of toothpicks

• an electric shock

Multiple Choice

The plant's ability to sting is mostly likely...

• a way for the plant to get food

• a way for the plant to defend itself against plant eaters

• an accident that doesn't really help the plant survive

Multiple Choice

What strategy did the author use in this section to develop the idea of how it feels to come in contact with a stinging tree?

• anecdotes (short stories)

• vivid descriptions

• examples/illustrations

• expert quotes

Read the section:

Stinging Tree Toxins

Multiple Choice

Proteins are...

• long chains of information

• individuals strands of muscle tissue

• massive energy centers within each cell

• large molecules that do important jobs inside cells

Multiple Choice

Amino acids are a type of...

• protein

• sugar

• carbohydrate

• DNA

Multiple Choice

The stinging tree's toxins contain peptides that target...

• nerve cells

• skin cells

• hair cells

• other plant cells

Multiple Choice

The main reason why the stinging tree's venom causes so much pain is because the peptides found in the venom cause which part of the nerve cell to stay open?

• The sodium channel

• The nerve cell membrane

• The pain signal messenger

Multiple Choice

What key idea does the diagram in this section illustrate?

• how the venom from the stinging tree affects the nerve cell's sodium channels

• how the venom from the stinging tree is similar to the venom found in some animals

• how the venom from stinging trees can be used to understand the brain

Multiple Choice

The main idea developed in this part of the text would be...

• stinging trees are like venomous animals

• how the toxins in stinging trees cause so much pain

• how nerve cells work

• how the brain is able to sense pain

Read the section:

New Treatments For Pain

Multiple Choice

The stinging tree's venom most closely resembles the venom found in...

• snakes and spiders

• bees and snakes

• spiders and cone snails

Multiple Choice

The main idea being developed in this section was...

• spiders and snails are also venomous creatures

• we should be more worried about venomous plants than animals

• the venom in stinging trees is not worth studying

• venom can help scientists learn more about pain

Multiple Choice

Which statement is a CENTRAL idea of the article?

• Stinging trees are also known as gympie-gympies

• The stinging tree is just one example of a plant that uses venom.

• Venomous snakes and spiders are more dangerous to people than the stinging tree.

• Researchers have discovered how the stinging tree is able to cause pain to those who touch it.

Annotation (mark-up) activity

Find an example of an anecdote, expert quote, description, or example that you think develops the central idea of the article (and be ready to share!)

Quiz Time

We will review the answers together