The answer isβ¦
Tree Octopus π³π !
"Tree Octopus" by Kirt Baab is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The Tree Octopus was an internet hoax created by Lyle Zapato in 1998. The mysterious animal was said to have lived both on land and in water, and lived in the Seattle Washington area.
What is my child learning?
In elementary school, students explore animal adaptations in science. Students begin to learn about different animals and how their adaptations have helped them survive in their habitats. Many different animals have features that help them survive. In this activity, kids are learning about flying snakes which has adapted to its environment in order to survive.
Education Standards
Education standards are learning goals that identify what students should know and be able to do at particular grade levels (e.g. second grade) or milestone points in their education (e.g. by the end of high school). Education standards lay out goals but do not provide specific curriculum for achieving those standards. How to achieve those goals is up to individual states, districts, schools, and teachers. There are national standards in each major subject area, and many states also have their own standards.
This activity aligns to the P21 Framework for 21st Century Learning (P21 Framework Definitions):
Learning and Innovation Skills:
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving β Reason effectively; use various types of reasoning as appropriate to the situation; analyze and evaluate major alternative points of view; interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best analysis; reflect critically on learning experiences and processes.
Communication β Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts; listen effectively to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions.
Creativity and Innovation β Be open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives; view failure as an opportunity to learn; act on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contribution.
π Information Literacy β This activity is a direct, hands-on lesson in media literacy. The Tree Octopus hoax is one of the most well-known teaching tools for helping kids understand that information β especially online β must be evaluated carefully before it is believed or shared.
π₯οΈ Media Literacy β Kids learn to question the source of information, recognize that convincing-looking content can still be false, and understand the difference between credible and non-credible sources β essential skills in today's digital world.
Extra Resources
Tree Octopus:
Flying Snake:
Flying snakes are real! The Flying Snake, or Chrysopela (pronounced chris-soh-peel-ee-uh), can βflyβ by gliding as far as 300 feet, from tree to tree. They are found in the jungles and forests of South and Southeast Asia. It typically lives 10 years and can grow as long as 4 feet.
Watch this video (5:29) of the flying snake in action!
CNN: Flying Snakes? Here's How They Can Glide Through The Air
Media Literacy: