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.

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 Supplemental 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

Core Materials
Every unit includes all or most of these materials under the Core Materials tab:

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.

Unit Map
Provides an overview of the core materials in the unit.

Nonfiction Books
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 •••—that convey the same concepts, images, and vocabulary, but at developmentally appropriate reading levels.

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. Tips for differentiated instruction with the three reading levels of the book are offered.

Concept Books
Introduces emerging readers to topics within the unit. Reduced text is supported with colorful photographs.

Quick Reads
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 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.

Vocabulary Cards
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.

Word Work
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.

Process Activities
Labs and activities that 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 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.

Career Files
Several science career opportunities related to the unit topic.

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 postunit assessment tool. An answer sheet is provided.

Worksheets
Single-page worksheets that reinforce important science concepts, while allowing individual practice and assessment. Answer sheets are provided.

Science Movies
Multimedia slideshows and video clips that support unit concepts and vocabulary.

Supplemental Materials
Every unit includes many of these materials under the Supplemental Materials tab:

Science in the News
A monthly feature available on the Science A–Z homepage that explains a recent science news story to students. Fun features accompany the lead article. Available in three reading levels.

Learning A–Z Connections
A list of Reading A–Z books, plus resources on our sister websites, that support each science unit's concepts and vocabulary. One Reading A–Z book is provided for free with each Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science unit.

Book Assembly Instructions
Easy-to-follow instructions with diagrams to help you assemble the nonfiction and fiction books, as well as the concept books for K–2 units.

Science Fair Teaching Guide
Suggestions for guiding the class through all the steps of completing a science fair project. Can be used in grades K–2, 3–4, and 5–6.

Science Fair Student Guide
Resources for the student and family to help them complete a science fair project. Can be used in grades K–6.

Science Fair Rubric
Criteria and a scoring form for science fair projects. Can be used in grades K–6.

Science Fair Project Ideas
A list of possible science fair project topics related to each science unit to help students get started.

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.

Fiction Book Teaching Guide
Teaching strategies for use before, during, and after the reading of the fiction book. 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.

More Quick Reads
Extra reading opportunities on topics related to the unit content, provided at three reading levels.

Anticipation Set
Before–and–after questions to engage students' prior knowledge and to showcase what they have learned.

Pro & Con
Allows students to consider several opposing perspectives on an issue related to unit concepts. Position cards are provided for extra support.

Drama Activity
A teacher–guided activity that allows young students to express themselves creatively through role–playing and movement.

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.

Process Science
These materials are grouped into two categories—science tools and science skills. Each lesson contains all or most of these materials:

Quick Reads
The Quick Reads are magazinelike fact sheets on specific topics related to the science tool or skill, provided at three reading levels.

Process Activities
These labs and activities provide hands–on opportunities for students to practice using important science tools.

Worksheets
Important concepts and vocabulary are reinforced on worksheets to allow for individual practice. Answer sheets are provided.

Science A-Z plans to offer all of the following science units. Units appearing as links are currently available, and will have additional resources added on an ongoing basis. The remaining units are in development, and are scheduled to be released in the order they appear. We generally rotate the addition of new units among the grade spans. Each month, Science A-Z adds one new unit or additional resources for existing units.