Alligator Poetry from the Classroom Swamp
Alligators bring us eye to eye with the watery, muddy world of the swamp.
Write a poem or explore an alligator hole. Get wet, muddy and excited about reading, science and math.
Slither into the Swamp of Learning...
Alligator Pie Table of the Swamp Contents

- What is an alligator?
- Alligator Pie
- Dennis Lee wrote Alligator Pie
- Exciting Adventures and Alligator Observation
- The Alligator Hole
- Alligator Imagination Station
- The Alligator Nest
- Alligators are Oviparous
- Alligator Math
- Alligator Worksheets
- Alligator Pie
- Alligator Pie
- Alligator Games
- Alligator Arts and Crafts
- Alligator Coloring Pages
- The Alligators are now in the News!
- Alligator Pie is in the Four Wheeler's Online Unit Study Directory
- Look Who's Talking about Alligators
- Tell me your most exciting encounters with Alligators or other swamp creatures.
- About the Author of this Lens
What is an alligator?
Alligators are...

Alligators have a large, slightly rounded bodies, with thick limbs, broad heads, and very powerful tails.
Males can weigh 500 lbs to over 1000 pounds. Adult Alligators are about 13 to 14.5 feet long with half of that length being the tail.
The tail is mostly used to propel the alligator through the water.
Alligators travel very quickly in water but slow-moving on land.
They can, however, lunge short distances very quickly.
Alligators have five toes in front and four in back.
Everglades Poem!
by Susie Saenz
way it sounds like the wind through the meadows:

On the little meadow,
By the trails side,
In a little bush,
The mocking birds hide,
By the lily pads,
Underneath the waters glow,
An anhinga finds a fish,
Putting on quite a show,
Cicadas buzz 'round,As the alligators sleep,
The turtles come up to breath,
Then keep swimming in the deep,
Warblers flit around,
Through the tall grasses green,
The look around for danger,
With their little eyes so keen,
The green heron sits,
And seems to wait all day,
Until it spots it's lunch,
And, hunting, flies away,
A damselfly doesn't fly,
As well as a dragonfly,
But I know it'll probably try,
To soar, majestic, true and high,
Walking back on the trail I see,
Otters coming to greet me,
And air plants upon the trees,
Little fish are here swimming,
Purple flowers blossoming,
And tall grass blowing in the wind,
All this on the trail I've found,
And only by looking around,
The Everglades has much to see,
Just look around, take time like me!
Alligator Pie
by Dennis Lee
Here is the poem that this lens is based on. I have it written on poster board. The children love to read along as the helper of the day points to each of the words. It isn't long before they are able to pick out individual words and start to use them in their writing.Alligator pie, alligator pie,
If I don't get some I think I'm gonna die.
Give away the green grass, give away the sky,
But don't give away my alligator pie.
Alligator stew, alligator stew,
If I don't get some I don't know what I'll do.
Give away my furry hat, give away my shoe,
But don't give away my alligator stew.
Alligator soup, alligator soup,
If I don't get some I think I'm gonna droop.
Give away my hockey stick, give away my hoop,
But don't give away my alligator soup.
Dennis Lee wrote Alligator Pie
Alligator Pie Poem

Dennis Lee is the Canadian Poet who wrote Alligator Pie in 1974.
- Dennis Lee, Poems
- Dennis Lee, Poems
Alligator Pie
From: Alligator Pie. Toronto: Macmillan, 1974. - Dennis Lee - New Stuff
- Welcome to www.AlligatorPie.ca! A tribute to Canadian author and poet, Dennis Lee. Includes Bio, list of books and poems and a guestbook.
Absolutely Alligators
How to use a Swamp Bucket



This is one of the best books I have found for teaching beginning readers about Alligators and creatures of the swamp.
You make a Swamp Bucket by writing words from the poem Alligator Pie onto blank index cards. Use magnets to make the words stick. The children work together putting the words in order to form the sentences.
1. Make Swamp Buckets with magnetic words that form sentences.
2. Blackline Masters
3. Alligator Poems
4. Dragonfly Craft project.
Alligator Fiction
Tales of Alligators

Reading and writing about alligators can be lots of fun.
Flap Your Wings (Beginner Books(R))
In Dr. Seuss styles the bird parents take care of the alligator that hatches in their nest.
Alligator Non-Fiction Picture Books
Facts about Alligators

Crocodiles and Alligators
PosterBuy at AllPosters.com
After reading these books to the children I like to make them available to take home in Take Home Literacy Bags.
Parents love to learn more about what their children are learning in school.
Exciting Adventures and Alligator Observation
Alligator Sightings from the Swamp
We just spent the day walking the path through Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park. With many alligators sunning themselves on the edge of the path, herons catching fish and butterflies flitting around it was a memorable trip. Here are some highlights:
What would be your highlight of the day?
Seeing an alligator yawn.
It opened it's mouth, turned it's eyes on a nearby more...1 point
Bubble coming from the culvert
The bubbles were coming from an alligator's mouth. more...1 point
Gray ash-like substance on the side of the road.
It turned to powder when stepped on. It turned out more...1 point
The Alligator Hole
Alligators keep Holes Open during the Dry Spells

During the dry season, alligators create "gator holes" which may be the only source of water around.
Make a bulletin board of an Alligator Hole and label it "Who Lives in the Alligator Hole?" As you read about alligators draw the animals and plants that are found in and around the hole. Label each one to make a thematic "Word Wall"
Alligator Chapter Books
Chapter Books about Alligators
Crunch and Munch It's Time for Lunch
Lunch for the Aliigator's Cousin

Once there was a peaceful river...
On the banks of this river lived a greedy crocodile.
His name was Crunch.
All the creatures of the river would tremble when they heard his voice:

'Crunch and munch!
Crunch and munch!
My name is Crunch.
And I want my lunch!'
Photo Credit: Line Up for Lunch
on Photobucket.
The children love to repeat this refrain over and over. I wrote it on a chart and have it posted by the door where we go to lunch. We chant it as we finish picking up and line up for lunch. It also makes a fun song to sing quietly in a creepy voice as we go down the hall to lunch.
Unscramble and Feed the Alligator
Game of Alligator Words
Make a list of animals that alligators eat.
Draw a picture of each one and write the scrambled letters to it's name.
Children unscramble the letters and put the alligator's prey in the Alligator Pie.
Alligator Imagination Station
Alligator Manipulatives
Set out some alligators and let the children use their imaginations. Most children will use these alligators to make up stories. This becomes a prewriting exercise. When it's time for Writing Workshop all they need to do is write down the story.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byThe Alligator Nest
Where do baby alligators come from?

An alligator nest is a pile of rotting grass, other vegetation and mud. The pile is 3 1/2 to 6 feet across and 1 to 2 feet high, sitting in a site 13 to 18 feet across that has been cleared of vegetation by the female. By the first week in July, she lays a clutch of 20 to 70 cylindrical eggs. The eggs are 3 to 3 1/2 inches long, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and are buried 3 to 14 inches deep in the nests. Incubation takes about 65 days.

The female alligator stays close to guard the eggs from raiding raccoons, skunks and opossums. After the eggs hatch in late summer, the pod of baby alligators will stay together through their first winter and often through their second winter as well. The mother alligator stays close to her pod of babies, protecting them from male alligators, herons and humans.

Baby alligators must feed themselves. They eat minnows crayfish, snails, insects and tadpoles. They grow 9 to 10 inches each year for the first five years. As they mature, their diet expands to include fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, waterfowl, wading birds, raccoons, carrion and just about anything they can catch. By six years of age, they are mature and ready to breed.
WARNING: A female alligator will protect her family. Never approach a pile of rotting grass. Never approach a pod of baby alligators.
Look for more egg related lessons at Bluebirds and Take Home Literacy Bags.
Oviparous Center
Alligators are Oviparous Animals
Oviparous animals are animals that lay eggs.
1. Put an egg laying animal in each egg.
2. On the inside of the egg write the name of the animal.
3. Provide a recording sheet with the sentence "__________are egg layers."
4. Children open the egg and write the name on the record sheet.
Alligators are Oviparous
Alligators Lay Eggs Too!
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Who Layed THAT Egg?
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Everyone knows that chickens lay eggs. Most people know that all other birds do as well but have you ever thought about all the other animals that lay eggs? Children may be surprised that some eggs do not contain birds. Other egg layers include frogs...
Alligator Math
Use Alligator mouths to indicate Greater Than or Less Than signs.

This is a fun way to learn the Greater Than/Less Than symbols. You can even let the kids paint their hands green. Once dry, their hands become the alligators that eat the greater amount.
Go to Edutunes.com! to listen to the song.
Math All Around Me:Making Early Childhood Math Fun Through Music 'N' Movement
Includes The Alligator Chomp
Mr. Alligator can chomp, he can swim and he can stomp, he's a real smart alligator...he chomps at numbers that are greater!
Greater Than Less Than Alligator Math Game
Math Manipulatives from the Swamp

Photo Credit: Alligator
on Yuletopia
The alligator down in the number swamp is very hungry. As we all know, higher numbers have more calories than lower numbers, so the higher numbers are the ones that the alligator wants to eat.
1. Lay out two cards.
2. The alligator eats the card with the higher number.
3. If the two cards are equal, feed the alligator two more cards.
This game was inspired by Summer and Falcon's alligator on Yuletopia.
Alligator Worksheets
Greater Than, Less Than Practice
- Greater Gator
- Alligator Themed Greater Than, Less Than Practice
What could you do with an alligator cookie cutter?
Alligator Cookie Cutters
Add your ideas...

Make Cookies and frost with green icing.
The recipe could be written out and laminated for more...2 points
Cut alligator shapes out of green foam sheets.
Use these as manipulatives for doing math problems more...2 points
What else but make Alligator Pie!
Take any kind of pie that is thick enough to cut p more...2 points
Cajun Night Before Christmas
Santa's Eight Tiny Alligators
Alligator Pie
Alligator Pie Poem in Picture Book Form
Alligator Pie is the Best
How much do you like Alligator Pie?

Alligators on eBay
These alligator games and toys would be great for learning centers or literacy bags.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byAlligator Teeth
Check out the Alligator's Smile

Scientists have learned much through the study of animal jaws and teeth - diet, predatory habits and species size to name a few. Until now, most classroom study was limited to text book pictures and descriptions.
Hands on Animal Bites brings the study of animal habits to a much more personal level. Each kit includes a fascinating collection of teeth and mandible fragments chosen to reflect the diversity of diet and behavior within the animal kingdom.
Three samples from each of the major dietary groups - herbivore, carnivore and omnivore - have been handcrafted to bring stark realism to the classroom.
This unique science kit is ideal for the exploration and teaching of the differences and adaptability that occur in nature, and functions as an exciting learning center perfect for individual, group and classroom instruction.
Included are replicas of a hippopotamus, beaver, mountain gorilla, coyote, Alligators, African Lion, human, , grizzly bear and baboon - each an excellent representative of it respective group.

An Alligator with Its Mouth Ajar Shows Its Many Deadly Teeth
Photographic PrintRosing, Norbert
Buy at AllPosters.com
A set of classroom tested lesson plans and interactive exercises accompany each tooth kit, enabling teachers or parents to easily carry out an efficient, exciting and thought provoking learning experience.
Alligator Songs and Poems
Sing a Song of Alligators

There was an alligator sitting on a log.
Down in the pool he saw a little frog.
In jumped the alligator!
Around went the log!
Splash went the water, and away swam the frog!

Row, Row, Row your boat, gently down the stream,
If you see an alligator don't forget to scream!
Alligator Pie
Alligator pie, alligator pie,
If I don't get some I think I'm gonna die.
Give away the green grass, give away the sky,
But don't give away my alligator pie.
Alligator stew, alligator stew,
If I don't get some I don't know what I'll do.
Give away my furry hat, give away my shoe,
But don't give away my alligator stew.
Alligator soup, alligator soup,
If I don't get some I think I'm gonna droop.
Give away my hockey stick, give away my hoop,
But don't give away my alligator soup.
How doth the little crocodile...
a poem by Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile...
How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!
How cheerfully he seems to grin
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws!
- Katie Parke's portfolio
- This poem appeared in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898). Mama Nile crocodiles let their babies hang out in their gaping mouths.
Alligator Jump Rope Rhymes
Alligator, Alligator, Turn Around

Alligator, alligator, turn around.
Alligator, alligator, touch the ground.
Alligator, alligator, dance on your toes.
Alligator, alligator, touch your nose.
Alligator, alligator, jump up now.
Alligator, alligator, take a bow.
Alligator, alligator, stomp your feet.
Alligator, alligator, take a seat.
Alligator Teeth Literacy Bag
Alligator Literacy Bag

Hand puppets offer a gateway to creative play, and this realistic alligator puppet extends an enticing invitation to explore the swamplands! This 24-inch-long plush alligator has an olive body with black scales, a scaly tan underside, and protruding black eyes. Slip your hand inside the overstuffed body and the alligator rests solidly upon your arm, awaiting your slightest movement. Wiggle your arm and the alligator walks along the swamp bank on four outstretched legs with his tail swaying. Open your hand and the alligator opens his jaws wide--watch out for those pointy white teeth! The best thing about this adorable puppet is that it's equally comfortable for pint-sized and full-sized hands! See ya later alligator! --Tami Horiuchi
There is also a Tooth Fairy Literacy Bag that the kids love to take home.
Alligator Games
Play an Alligator Game

- Alligator Swamp
- Can your child rescue the beanbag frog without stepping on any of the alligators?
- Alligator Pond
- Play the free strategy game trying to help the ducks cross the alligator hole before the alligator gets them.
Alligator Arts and Crafts
Making Alligators


This project needs a lot of help for younger children. Invite an older class to come in and pair up with your children. This cooperative activity helps the social unity of the school.
Ask the older children to make extras of these alligator boxes for your learning centers. Write the word noun on one alligator box and verb on the other.
Make paper eggs and write words that the children are learning on the eggs. On the back of the eggs you could write the words noun or verb for self checking. The eggs should fit in the alligator box's mouth.
The children feed the right eggs to the alligators.
- Skip To My Lou
- How to make a Pillow Box Alligator
Alligator Bags
Alligators Totes
The Alligators are now in the News!
Everglades python tries to eat alligator... and bursts!

Thank you to the Wheelers for including the Alligators in their Directory.
Internet Directory of Unit Studies
Encouraging, uplifting, interesting and perhaps ev more...2 points
Alligators move lungs to dive, roll in water - Yahoo! News
Alligators can stealthily maneuver<br />< more...1 point
Alligator and Snake Photo
Does a photograph show a snake that burst trying t more...1 point
Play of Alligator Pie in Canada
She hopes to continue to tour with the company, wh more...1 point
Alligator Neighbors
Beyond this Alligator Unit Study
-
Starry Starry Night: A Unit Study of Stars
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From Astronomy to Art this lens will give you dozens of ideas, resources, hints and tricks to create starry-themed activities for both homeschool families and classrooms. Learn about Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night painting technique. Lis...
-
River Otters: Playful Friends of the Woodlands!
-
Learn about River Otters through games and hands-on learning centers. Decorate your classroom with a Woodlands Riverbank Theme. Learn the habits of River Otters, the food they eat and how they raise their young. You will find suggestions for both fi...
-
Lemmings: Falling into the Sea of Knowledge
-
When the winds start to howl and the snow begins to blow you can capture your student's attention with this innovative Arctic Unit Study focusing on lemmings. Your little lemmings will be excited to learn with a theme that includes little furry crea...
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Purple Gallinules of the Everglades
-
Gallinules are spectacular creatures. The can be found walking on water lilies in the canals throughout the Everglades. One day we took a trip to the Everglades and saw a Purple Gallinule for the first time. It's vibrant colors are unbelievable. We...
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Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn
-
Take trips to the frog pond. Become a frog and play games and sing songs, gobble up the insect words and swat the fly verbs. This lens will give you dozens of ideas, resources, hints and tricks to create frog-themed activities for both homeschool fam...
Alligator Pie is in the Four Wheeler's Online Unit Study Directory

Thank you to the Four Wheelers for including the Alligator Pie in their Online Unit Study Directory.
- Internet Directory of Unit Studies
- The Four Wheelers Internet Directory of Unit Studies contains a list, roughly arranged by subject, of links to unit studies that are published on the Internet.
Look Who's Talking about Alligators

-
- debsdesigns401
- @dkjewels RT Pinky pie alligator clips http://www.etsy.com/view_li... http://bit.ly/5iZKbS
-
- dkjewels
- Pinky pie alligator clips http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35281877 http://bit.ly/5iZKbS
-
- DrewTylerBerman
- wondering what it's like to be sittin' on the roof eating alligator pie...
-
- FemmeFM
- great Musical theme park today - DMB Alligator Pie; Elvis-Crawfish; Old Crow Med Show - Down Home Girl
-
- zewplaylist
- The Zew is Now playing "Alligator Pie" by "Dave Matthews Band"
Tell me your most exciting encounters with Alligators or other swamp creatures.

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Alligator Chorus in New Orleans, Louisiana
Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
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Reply
- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Apr 24, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
- I couldn't believe how many of these were around in the Everglades near Alligator Alley. Hundreds of them just off the road. People were stupid (brave? nah, stupid), they'd take their picture right next to them. Not me, I'll pass. I once had grilled farm raised alligator once too.. weird taste. Not what I'd call a delicacy. Great work on this lens!
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- Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Feb 26, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
- I swam with sharks on Isla Mujeres! But they were pretty tame.
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Reply
- praise praise Feb 16, 2009 @ 6:49 am
- They are beautiful creatures and living in south Florida, I've seen many!
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Nov 18, 2008 @ 6:04 am
- A fabulously entertaining lens -- a gator tale! We have actually had gator tail and it is remarkably good -- they serve it a lot here in Jacksonville. Again, another absolutely delightful lens. PS we also had that same american goulash, but with tomato sauce with stewed tomatoes rather than ketchup.
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- TrixiJahn TrixiJahn Nov 10, 2008 @ 11:38 am
- Wonderfully done...enjoyed reading it. Very creative!
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- lisadh lisadh Oct 27, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
- Well done! I like the alligator math. My son is working on greater than and less than, and this will be helpful! 5*
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- Music-Resource Music-Resource Oct 23, 2008 @ 8:57 am
- Hi Evelyn: Educational and fun lens on alligators and swamps. Nice job. ~Music Resource~
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- RyanRE RyanRE Oct 18, 2008 @ 9:59 am
- Holy alligators! This is a very complete lens. Great work on it. This will keep me away from Florida. ***** to ya!
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- Jolene_Belmain Jolene_Belmain Oct 1, 2008 @ 11:30 am
- Welcome to Poetry Poetry Poetry! You have a fun lens, I really enjoyed reading it.
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- boutiqueshops boutiqueshops Sep 24, 2008 @ 11:02 am
- So adorable and well done! Keep it up, woman! 5*'s!
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About the Author of this Lens
Evelyn's Hands-On Learning Blog.
Find out what else I'm doing when I'm not swimming with the Alligators:
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Evelyn Saenz: Lensography of a Teacher
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My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach children in fun, hands-on, creative ways. The unit studies I make on Squidoo reflect my view that learning should be integrated and no skills should be taught in isolation. I believe that each topic s...
The Alligators are on The Isle of Squid
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