Here is a wonderful interactive site on the King Cobra, with references to mythology, the Himalayas , and the composition of the snake, including the sound it makes:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/kingcobra/index-n.html

We will use this site in science class parallel to our language arts and geography work. It will serve as an introduction to life science in an unusual and yet captivating way as an example of the external detail we can add to our regular curriculum. One day in the week we will use the computer lab so that students can individually access and explore the material.

The text we use is Holt Science & Technology: Life Science (2001 edition).

Students will watch a video from the school library about snakes. They will have the opportunity to select the snake, mongoose, frog, or another animal of their choice to research, individually or with a partner, and write a one to three paragraph report.

To explore the reality of the snake charmer, and some other information about snakes, access this link.

"No trip to India would be complete without a snake charmer. This one plies his trade on the road to Amber Fort."

http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/people1.html

"LOCATION: Bikaner , India
September 15, 2004

The snake rose into the air as if pulled by an invisible thread. The cobra was less than a foot away. It stared at me. I stared back as the cobra flattened the upper part of its body in agitation. This was my first lesson with an Indian snake charmer. Sitting cross-legged in front of a basket containing the snake, I puffed on the traditional flute. The snake followed the motion of the flute. I felt light-headed. Puffing on the flute is like hyperventilating. I thought, "Great. What would happen if I passed out and fell head first into the basket with the snake?" Little did, I know, I was going to find out the answer to that question a little later.

The man instructing me follows the teachings of the Nath religion. The cobra swaying to my movement is part of that religion. It still has its fangs and poison glands. Every two to three months, this master of snakes collects a black cobra from the wild. They can be as thick as a man's arm and up to seven feet long. Using a secret religious prayer, known as a mantra, he calms and trains the snake. This takes only two to three days. He then cares for the snake, and the snake, through performances and donations provided by the audience, cares for the snake charmer. At the end of a period determined by astrological signs, the snake is returned to the wild.

I go from working with the snake in a basket to holding the snake in my hands. I do this cautiously. At one point, while handling the snake at the mid-point of its body, it turns back towards my hand and I drop it with a resounding "THWAP" on the paving stones. This is not good snake-handling etiquette. I pay for my fear by learning how to apologize to a cobra. Holding the coiled snake in my hands, I touch it to my head. At one point, I have the snake wrapped around my neck like a necklace.

I ask to see how the snake is fed while under the snake charmer's care. He produces a hollow bone and inserts it into the snake's mouth. He then pours milk down this makeshift funnel. As the snake's body fills with milk, the man strokes the cobra to move the milk into its stomach. He has been doing this for over 20 years and his father did the same before him."

The above is a journal entry by Jim Wiltens (expedition co-leader).

http://www.thecaravanoflight.com/journalentries/Entry7.html

Snake Shrine Bangalore, Karnataka Snakes in India are frequently associated with water and fertility in popular cult. Snakes also may signify knowledge and wisdom, probably because they live underground and know the secret places of the earth.