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. Materials 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.
The Unit Map and Unit Guide provide an overview of the unit and background information for the teacher. We suggest beginning each unit with a spark (a fun, hands-on, science experiment or a teacher demonstration),
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 related to 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 preassessment, and as a
comprehension check after the unit. The Process Activities can be used at any point to let students experience the unit concepts firsthand, but they may be easiest for students to understand after they've read the
Nonfiction Book. All of the materials 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 connections to other Learning A–Z websites on each unit's Supporting Materials tab. One Reading A–Z
book is available for free with each science unit, and other suggested titles are provided. RAZ–Kids books,
Vocabulary A–Z materials, Writing A–Z lessons, and
Reading–Tutors packets can also be used to support Science A–Z units.
Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science
Overview Materials
Every unit includes both of these materials below the unit name. Also find an expandable description of the unit in this section of the unit download page.
Unit Map
Provides an overview of the core materials in the unit.
Unit Guide
Provides an introduction to unit concepts; a quick, hands-on "spark" activity; prior knowledge connections; vocabulary strategies; background and misconceptions;
suggested Internet search terms and resource sites; and extensions with real-world connections.
Core Materials
Each unit includes these materials in the Core Materials section:
Nonfiction Book Teaching Guide
Teaching strategies for use before, during, and after reading. Includes a targeted reading strategy and comprehension skill, leveled discussion questions, and assessment options.
Offers tips for differentiated instruction with the three reading levels of the book.
Vocabulary Materials
Unit vocabulary terms defined on clippable cards. Each card includes the part of speech and the levels of reading material in which the term appears.
Unit Quiz
A comprehensive quiz that includes multiple choice and open–ended format questions to 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. An answer sheet is provided.
Process Activities
Labs and activities that provide hands–on application of unit concepts in three types of activities—projects, explorations, and experiments.
Projects are often arts–oriented, and intended to engage students' research and communication skills. Explorations involve more manipulation of variables and
collection of data. Experiments take students through the scientific process, including hypotheses, data analysis, and drawing conclusions, and often involve more than one variable.
Process Activity Teaching Tips
Tips that provide practical suggestions, advice 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. These teaching tips are attached to the Process Activity.
Nonfiction Books
The fundamental component of each science unit, these science books that address core concepts and provide details that support unit objectives.
The books are provided at three reading levels—low •, mid ••, and high •••— and convey similar concepts, images, and vocabulary,
but at developmentally appropriate reading levels.
Supporting Materials
Every unit includes many of these materials under the Supporting Materials tab:
Quick Reads
Magazine like fact sheets on specific topics related to the unit content. Each topic is provided at three reading levels. Can be assigned to groups or individuals.
Brain Check questions provide discussion, writing, and homework options.
Multimedia
Science Movies
Multimedia slideshows and video clips that support unit concepts and vocabulary.
Video Discussion Guides
Teaching guides to accompany slideshows and video clips. Includes activities to use before, during, and after the multimedia presentation.
Additional Student Materials
Discussion Cards
Clippable cards with discussion questions to accompany the Nonfiction Book. Each card includes the question type, the section of the book to which it is related,
and the reading levels for which the question is appropriate. Cards can be used in small–group or whole–class discussions, as homework or writing assignments, or as a comprehension quick check.
Concept Books (K-2 only)
Introduces emerging readers to several topics within the unit. Reduced text is supported by colorful images.
Career Files
Several science career opportunities related to the unit topic, spanning various degrees of prerequisite education.
Scientist Profile
An interview or article describing an individual who works in an field related to unit topics.
Pro & Con
Allows students to consider several opposing perspectives on an issue related to unit concepts. Position cards are provided for extra support.
Vocabulary Activities/Word Work
Fun worksheets that reinforce instruction of the unit's vocabulary. Examples include crossword, matching, fill in the blank, analogy, and unscramble puzzles. Answer keys are provided.
Worksheets
Single-page worksheets that reinforce important science concepts, while allowing individual practice and assessment. Answer sheets are provided.
Anticipation Set
Before–and–after questions to engage students' prior knowledge and to showcase what they have learned.
Fiction Books
A high-interest story that addresses the unit's Big Idea and supports unit objectives. Just as with the Nonfiction Book, the Fiction Book is provided at
three reading levels—low •, mid ••, and high •••. Each level of the book covers the same story, concepts, images, and
vocabulary, but at different reading levels.
Science Fair Resources
Science Fair Teaching Guide
Suggestions for guiding a class through all the steps of completing a science fair project. A separate guide is offered for grades K–2, 3–4, and 5–6.
Science Fair Rubric
Criteria and a scoring form for science fair projects. Can be used with grades K–6.
Science Fair Student Guide
Wealth of resources for the student and family to help them complete a science fair project. Can be used with grades K–6.
Science Fair Project Ideas
A list of possible science fair project topics related to each science unit. Students may choose from the list or be inspired by it
to generate a new idea.
Additional Teacher Resources
Learning A–Z Connections and Free ReadingA–Z Book
A list of Reading A–Z books, plus resources on the Learning A–Z sister websites, that support each science unit's concepts and vocabulary. One Reading A–Z book is provided for free.
Nonfiction Graphic Organizers
Worksheets that can be used for quick and easy assessment of reading comprehension. For use with the nonfiction book and other unit materials.
Fiction Graphic Organizers
Worksheets that can be used for quick and easy assessment of reading comprehension. For use with the fiction books.
Retelling Rubrics
Criteria and a scoring form for teachers to use as students retell fiction and nonfiction books.
Game Pack
A variety of activities and games designed to reinforce unit concepts as well as help students comprehend the material. Includes teaching tips,
image cards for key vocabulary, blank image cards, a word sort placemat, game boards, and a Word-o game.
Fiction Book Teacher's Guide
Teaching strategies for use before, during, and after reading the fiction books. Includes a targeted reading strategy, a vocabulary list, discussion questions,
and assessment options. Tips for differentiated instruction with the three reading levels of the book are offered.
Book Assembly Instructions
Easy-to-follow instructions with diagrams to help you assemble the nonfiction and fiction books, both single–sided and double–sided, as well as the concept books for K–2 units.
Process Science
These mini-units are grouped into two categories: science tools and science skills. Each lesson contains all or most of these materials:
Process Activities
These labs and activities provide hands–on opportunities for students to practice using important science tools.
Quick Reads
Magazine like fact sheets on specific topics related to the unit content. Each topic is provided at three reading levels. Can be assigned to groups or individuals.
Brain Check questions provide discussion, writing, and homework options.
Additional Student Materials
Worksheets
Important concepts and vocabulary are reinforced on worksheets to allow for individual practice. Answer sheets are provided.
Science Fair Resources
Provides the same Science Fair Teacher's Guide, Science Fair Rubric, and Science Fair Student Guide offered with units in Life, Earth, and Physical Sciences.
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