Reading Levels

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

Low
Mid
High

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

Animals

The world is full of many types of animals. Animals share several common needs, but they also have diverse habits and characteristics. The unit Animals helps students discover what makes animals similar and what makes them different. Topics include habitat, diet, body parts, movement, special abilities, and more.

Overview Resources

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

Print Animals Unit Roadmaps PDF Project Animals Unit Roadmaps
Animals Unit Roadmaps

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Read-First Model

In the read-first model, students begin by reading texts that help them build a foundation of understanding with the core science ideas of the unit. Then they engage in hands-on investigations and use other resources to explore examples related to the concepts they read about. Students learn about general concepts before using deductive reasoning to apply them to specific examples.

Vocabulary resources can be used at multiple points throughout the unit to develop and strengthen students� fluency with the disciplinary language of science. TIP: Challenge students to maintain a concept web throughout the unit that connects the examples they explore later in the roadmap back to the core ideas they read about in the Unit Nonfiction Book.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity Quick Reads
Core Text
Unit Nonfiction Books
Apply Concepts
Process Activity
Dig Deeper
FOCUS Books Investigation Pack Science Videos
Extend The Learning
Career Files Debate Reading A-Z Books* Fiction Books

* Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

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Do-First Model

In the do-first model*, students are immersed in unit concepts by completing hands-on investigations that allow them to apply science and engineering practices and construct their own explanations of core ideas. Then students read texts, watch videos, and complete more investigations that help them confirm or refine their explanations. Vocabulary resources can be used at multiple points throughout the unit to develop and strengthen students� fluency with the disciplinary language of science. TIP: Have students use a science journal to record the examples they explore through activities and readings, then challenge them to design a concept web that connects those examples to the core ideas they read about in the Unit Nonfiction Book toward the end of the roadmap.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity
Lead Investigations
Process Activity FOCUS Books
Dig Deeper
Quick Reads Investigation Pack Science Videos
Core Text
Unit Nonfiction Books
Extend The Learning
Career Files Debate Reading A-Z Books** Fiction Books

* This model may also be referred to as the discovery method, in which students use inductive reasoning to determine broad concepts by first exploring examples.
** Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

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Project-Based Model

In the project-based model*, students work in teams to investigate a science question or design a solution to an engineering challenge. The PBL Project Organizer, SAZ Journal, completed project, and group presentation all allow students to demonstrate what they have learned and accomplished. The PBL Teaching Tips help teachers facilitate the project, while rubrics for teachers and students can be used to assess group and individual performance. During planning and execution, students use other unit resources to build their understanding of core concepts that they can apply to their project.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity
Project-Based Learning Pack
Unit Nonfiction Books Investigation Pack FOCUS Books Game Pack/ Image Cards Vocabulary Cards Science Videos Quick Reads Process Activity
Additional Resources
Career Files Debate Word Work Reading A-Z Books** Fiction Books

* This model is sometimes referred to as a problem-based approach to learning, in which the objective is to solve a problem. In Science A-Z Project-Based Learning Packs, students do both�solve a problem and produce a product.
** Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

Life Science

Reading Levels

Animals

Read-First Model

Generate Interest

Core Text

Apply Concepts

Dig Deeper

Extend The Learning

Do-First Model

Generate Interest

Lead Investigations

Dig Deeper

Core Text

Extend The Learning

Project-Based Model

Generate Interest

Project-Based Learning Pack

Additional Resources

Unit Nonfiction Books

Animals, Animals

Lesson Resources

Project-Based Learning Packs

Animal Protection

Process Activities

Animal Trading Cards

Animals Around You

Pet or Not

Sow Bugs

FOCUS Books

Animals of the Air

Animals in the Ground

Animals of the Deep Ocean

Animals of the Ice and Snow

Animals of the Rivers

Supporting Materials

Investigation Packs

I.Files

Leafcutter Ant

Big-Belly Seahorse

Giraffe

Rockhopper Penguin

Spectacled Caiman

Mexican Axolotl

Mystery File

Bird's Nest Coral

Science Fair Resources

Science Fair Project Ideas

Debates

A Classroom Pet

Science Videos

A Day in the Life of a Sea Otter

Adventures of the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Monkeys Can Share, Too

The Harbor Seal in Seaside Homebody

The Killer Whale in Three of a Kind

The Manatee in Destination: Warm Waters

Wandering Seals

Weird Animals: Blackspotted Puffer Fish

Weird Animals: Giant Moray Eel

Weird Animals: Manta Ray

Weird Animals: Painted Flutemouth Fish

Weird Animals: Sea Cucumber

Drama Activity

Animal Movement

Career Files

Veterinarian; Wildlife Photographer; Zookeeper

Quick Reads

Catch Dinner

Catch Dinner

Catch Dinner

Grab Food

Grab Food

Grab Food

Hop or Crawl

Hop or Crawl

Hop or Crawl

Rainforest Home

Rainforest Home

Rainforest Home