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.

Vertebrates

Vertebrates are animals that have a spine. This unit helps students understand that vertebrates share common characteristics, including bone structure and major parts of the skeleton, and that vertebrates can be organized into five classes: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Each class of vertebrates can be distinguished from the others by its common characteristics, including body covering, body temperature, means of breathing, birth method, and other distinguishing features. [For invertebrates resources, find the Invertebrates unit in the Life Sciences domain.]

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 Vertebrates Unit Roadmaps PDF Project Vertebrates Unit Roadmaps
Vertebrates 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*

* 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**

* 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**

* 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

Vertebrates

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

Vertebrates

Lesson Resources

Project-Based Learning Packs

Skeletal Structure and Movement

Process Activities

Pipe Cleaner Skeletons

FOCUS Books

Extreme Amphibians

Mammals of the Trees

Our Wild Pets

Vertebrates of Madagascar

Animals in Groups

Supporting Materials

Investigation Packs

I.Files

King Cobra

Flying Dragon

Galapagos Tortoise

Nile Crocodile

Tuatara

Panther Chameleon

Mystery File

Caecilian

Science Fair Resources

Science Fair Project Ideas

Debates

Mammal, Bird, or Reptile?

Science Videos

A Day in the Life of a Sea Otter

Adventures of the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Creatures of the Deep: Anglerfish

Creatures of the Deep: Chimaera

Dinosaur Bird Bones

Dolphins at the Doctor

Five Classes of Vertebrates

Manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Open Rivers: Abundant Fish

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

Career Files

Farrier; Paleontologist; X-ray Technician

Quick Reads

Be a Skull Detective!

Be a Skull Detective!

Be a Skull Detective!

Bones in the Trash

Bones in the Trash

Bones in the Trash

How Fossils Are Made

How Fossils Are Made

How Fossils Are Made

Shark Cartilage

Shark Cartilage

Shark Cartilage