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Life Science

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These books contain three developmentally appropriate reading levels for each grade span.

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Each level of the book conveys similar concepts, images, and vocabulary.

Adaptations

© Mikhail Kusayev/Dreamstime.com

Adaptations

All living things change. Over long periods of time, species must gradually adapt to meet the challenges of their environment, or they will not survive. This unit helps students explore how and why organisms-including plants, animals, and humans-adapt to their environment. It addresses the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations, as well as distinguishing between behaviors that are instincts and those that are learned.

Overview Resources

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Unit Guide
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Unit Resource List
Print NGSS Correlations Chart PDF Project NGSS Correlations Chart
NGSS Correlations Chart
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Adaptations Unit Roadmaps

Unit Nonfiction Books

Book cover shows a zebra, a dandelion, a cactus, and a giraffe, each in a different habitat.

Adaptations

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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Accessible book
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Book Quiz
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Digital

mid

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Single-sided book
Print Double-sided book PDF
Double-sided book
Print Accessible book PDF
Accessible book
Print Book Quiz PDF Project Book Quiz
Book Quiz
Listen to Adaptations Read Adaptations See the Quiz for Adaptations
Digital

high

Print Single-sided book PDF Project Single-sided book
Single-sided book
Print Double-sided book PDF
Double-sided book
Print Accessible book PDF
Accessible book
Print Book Quiz PDF Project Book Quiz
Book Quiz
Listen to Adaptations Read Adaptations See the Quiz for Adaptations
Digital

Lesson Resources

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Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide
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Discussion Cards
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Blank Discussion Cards

Process Activities

Print Process Activity Materials Lists - All 5-6 units PDF Project Process Activity Materials Lists - All 5-6 units
Process Activity Materials Lists - All 5-6 units

Bird Beak Adaptations

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Controlling Water Loss from Leaves

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Design Animal Adaptations

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FOCUS Books

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FOCUS Book Teacher's Guide

Emperors of the Ice

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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital

Darwin's Finches

mid

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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital

Plant Behavior

mid

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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital

The Curious Case of the Peppered Moth

mid

Dogs by Design

high

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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital

Supporting Materials

Investigation Packs

Structural Adaptations

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Complete Investigation Pack
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Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide
Print I.File Response Sheet PDF Project I.File Response Sheet
I.File Response Sheet
Print I.Files Teaching Tips PDF Project I.Files Teaching Tips
I.Files Teaching Tips

I.Files

Carnivorous Plants

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Corpse Flower

mid

Hammerhead Shark

mid

Kiwi

mid

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Digital

Naked Mole Rat

mid

Horseshoe Crab

high

Mystery File

Monarch Butterfly

Science Fair Resources

Print Science Fair Teacher's Guide (5-6) PDF Project Science Fair Teacher's Guide (5-6)
Science Fair Teacher's Guide (5-6)
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Science Fair Student Guide
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Science Fair Rubric

Science Fair Project Ideas

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Debates

Print Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6) PDF Project Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6)
Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6)

Living Near Alligators

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Science Videos

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Video Teaching Guide

City vs. Country Birds

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Discussion Questions
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Video

Creatures of the Deep: Anglerfish

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Discussion Questions
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Video

Deep Ocean

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Discussion Questions
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Video

Deep-Ocean Volcanoes

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Discussion Questions
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Video

Glowing Ocean Life

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Discussion Questions
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Video

The Octopus and the Coconut (no audio)

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Discussion Questions
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Video

Career Files

Wildlife Technician; Botanist; Microbiologist

Quick Reads

Fossil Horses

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Fossil Horses

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Fossil Horses

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Good Taste, Bad Taste

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Good Taste, Bad Taste

mid

Good Taste, Bad Taste

high

Talking Dolphins?

low

Talking Dolphins?

mid

Talking Dolphins?

high

The Oh-So Adaptable Cactus

low

The Oh-So Adaptable Cactus

mid

The Oh-So Adaptable Cactus

high

Reading A-Z Books

Galapagos Wonder

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Double-sided

Graphic Organizers

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All Intermediate Nonfiction Graphic Organizers

Main Idea and Details

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Word Smart

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Retelling Rubrics

Nonfiction Retelling Rubric

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Game Packs

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Game Pack Guide
Print Blank Image Cards PDF Project Blank Image Cards
Blank Image Cards
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Game Boards
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Word Sort Placemat
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Wordo Board

Complete Adaptations Game Pack

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Image Cards

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Vocabulary Cards

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Vocabulary Cards

Adaptations

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Word Work

Crossword; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Unscramble

Print Crossword; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Unscramble PDF Project Crossword; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Unscramble

Book Assembly

Single-Sided

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Double-Sided

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