Program Description

Science A–Z is a dynamic website offering a customizable collection of downloadable lessons and materials in four scientific domains: life, earth, physical and process science. These resources are organized into units and individual materials to supplement your current curriculum. To meet the varying needs and abilities of students, each unit is aimed at the grade range at which the topic is taught in most states—either K-2, 3-4, or 5-6. The resources within each unit are provided at three developmental reading levels: low •, middle ••, and high •••. The K-2 units include a fourth level of science resource for emerging readers. We have a total of ten reading levels across the three developmental stages, K-2, 3-4 and 5-6.

Every unit includes: a unit guide, a unit map, nonfiction books written at multiple reading levels, a nonfiction book teaching guide, quick reads at multiple reading levels, leveled discussion question cards, leveled vocabulary cards, three word work activities, three process activities, process activity teaching tips, three or four career files, graphic organizers, a nonfiction retelling rubric, and a unit quiz.

We suggest beginning each unit with the Spark (a hands-on, fun science experiment or a teacher demonstration) presented in the Unit Guide, in order to activate prior knowledge and help students make personal connections to the topic. Some teachers might then introduce vocabulary, or dive into the Nonfiction Books. The Quick Reads go into more detail about topics mentioned in the Nonfiction Books, so some teachers use the Quick Reads to reinforce concepts in the Nonfiction Books. The Unit Quiz can be used before and after a unit, both as pre-assessment, and a comprehension check after the unit. The Process Activities can be used at any point to let students experience the unit concepts first-hand, but they may be easiest for students to understand after they've read the Nonfiction Book. The resources have been developed to enable you to customize your teaching, so feel free to incorporate elements in the order that suits your classroom.

We provide correlations to Reading A-Z books on each unit's Supplemental tab. RAZ-Kids books, Writing A-Z lessons and Vocabulary A-Z can also be used to support Science A-Z units.

Core

Unit Guide
Provides an introduction to unit concepts; a quick, hands-on activity "spark"; prior knowledge connections; vocabulary strategies; background and misconceptions; suggested Internet search terms and resource sites; extensions and real-world connections.

Unit Map
An overview of the core resources in the unit.

Nonfiction Books
The nonfiction book addresses core concepts and provides details that support unit objectives. It is provided at three reading levels, low •, mid ••, and high •••, that convey the same concepts, images, and vocabulary, but at developmentally appropriate reading levels.

Nonfiction Book Teaching Guide
Suggests teaching strategies for use before, during and after reading. Includes a targeted reading strategy and comprehension skill, leveled discussion questions, and assessment options. Tips for differentiated instruction with the three reading levels of the book are offered.

Concept Books
Introduce emerging readers to topics within the unit.

Quick Reads
The Quick Reads are magazine-like fact sheets on specific topics related to the unit content, provided at three reading levels. They can be assigned to groups or individuals, and the Brain Check questions provide discussion, writing and homework options.

Discussion Question Cards
Discussion questions appear on clippable cards to accompany the nonfiction book. Each card also includes the question type, the section of the book to which it is related, and the reading levels for which the question is appropriate. They can be used in small group or whole class discussions, as homework or writing assignments, or as a comprehension quick check.

Vocabulary Cards
Unit vocabulary terms are defined on clippable cards. Each card includes the part of speech and the levels of reading material in which the term appears.

Word Work
The Word Work worksheets reinforce instruction of the unit's vocabulary.

Process Activities
These labs and activities provide hands-on application of unit concepts, in three types of activities, projects, explorations, and experiments. Projects are arts-oriented, and intended to engage students' research and communication skills. Explorations involve more manipulation of variables. Experiments take students through the full scientific process, including hypotheses, data analysis, and drawing conclusions, and often involve more than one variable.

Process Activity Teaching Tips
These tips provide practical suggestions, tips on obtaining materials, safety precautions, and possible extensions for the process activities. Also included are suggested responses for data sheets and explanations for data analysis questions.

Career Files
Students will read about several career opportunities related to the unit topic.

Graphic Organizers
Worksheets designed to reinforce reading strategies and comprehension skills.

Nonfiction Retelling Rubric
Allows quick and easy assessment of comprehension.

Unit Quiz
The unit quiz with answer key includes multiple choice and open-ended format questions that reinforce unit concepts. Question types include literal, inferential, data analysis, and extended response. The quiz can be used as a pre- and post-unit assessment tool.

Science Movies
Multimedia clips that support unit concepts and vocabulary.

Supplemental

Anticipation Set
Before-and-after reading questions engage students' prior knowledge, and showcase what they've learned.

Reading A-Z Book Connections
A list of Reading A-Z books that support the unit's concepts and vocabulary.

Graphic Organizers
Worksheets designed to reinforce reading strategies and comprehension skills.

Over time, Science A-Z will cover the following units. We will add a unit every six weeks. Once these units are completed, we may continue to add more topics.