CONTENT AREA

TEXT SET
SARA HESS
READ 550
THEME: EARTH PATTERNS, CYCLES
AND CHANGE
2.7 Earth Patterns, Cycles and Change
Keep Concepts:
a) Effects of weather and seasonal changes on the growth and behavior of living things; and
b) Weathering and erosion of land surfaces.
I chose this strand because once students have learned the seasons, this strand goes deeper into
how the seasons and weather affect the Earth during that time. This is in terms of how the Earth
reacts to weather and erosion as well as animal’s response to the seasons and weather.
Anchor Text:
Huling, M., Ph.D. (2017, June 08). Retrieved June 21, 2018, from https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-
12-Second-Grade-Science/ (Lexile score 2nd grade)
BELOW GRADE LEVEL –LINGUISTIC

Flemming, D. (1997). Time to Sleep. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
This fictional book tells the story of a bear who notices that winter is quickly approaching. Through a chain of events, the different animals tell each
other about the news and quickly see different signs of winter. The ladybug comes to finish the cycle and finds Bear already sleeping. This book would
be appropriate to start the conversation about hibernation and how animals react differently to the changing seasons. (Prek-K).
Matheson, C. (2017). Plant the Tiny Seed. Harpercollins Children’s Books.
This playful text shows the process of a seed and its life cycle into a Zinnia flower. It allows readers to see how the sun and water affect the growth
of a plant as well as focuses on the change that it undergoes throughout its life. (Prek-K).
Smith, P. (2006). Animal Hide and Seek. London: Dorling Kindersley.
This talks about the clever ways animals keep themselves hidden from predators. Readers discover how animals change and adapt to their
surroundings for safety. This book is helpful for building background knowledge on the theme of change and the direct relationship the Earth has on
the animals. (1st ).
Swope, S. Ridde, S. (2000). Gotta Go! Gotta Go!. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
This teeny, tiny caterpillar doesn’t know why, but she knows she must go to Mexico. This book uncovers the theme of change as well as migration
through the Monarch Caterpillar. The repetition of the phrase “Gotta Go!” allows students to see literary importance and the subject content.
(Prek-K).
ON GRADE LEVEL-LINGUISTIC

Brow, C. Robins, W. (2016). Secrets of Animal Camouflage. East Sussex, UK: Ivy Kids.
This book discovers different animals and their secrets of camouflage in a fun and interesting way. Readers can uncover surprises with a
flashlight to see what is hiding in the pages. This book is a fun way to get students interested in camouflage and opens the discussion of
what other animals they can think of might use camouflage as a mean of survival. (2nd) .
Gans, R. Mirocha, P. (1996). How do Birds Find Their Way?. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
This fictional text tells how birds travel thousands of miles a year between the summer and winter seasons. It focuses on uncovering the
question of “How do they know where to go?” This book is appropriate to use to help make the idea of migration more understandable.
(2nd)
Glaser, L. Zollars, J. (2012). Not a Buzz to be Found: Insects in Winter. Minneapolis, MN: Scholastic.
Often times we only think about plants and animals during the changing seasons. This book shows what happens to different insects as the
weather gets colder. Opening the eyes of readers, this book would bring interest into the topic of Earth’s changes for both boys and girls.
Students would be able to dive deeper into the topic and learn interesting information. (2nd).
ON GRADE LEVEL CONTINUED

Messner, K. (2011). Over and Under the Snow. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
This text shows the relationship between what it is like for a human in the winter and what it is like
for different forest animals. It explores the wonder about where animals go to hibernate to survive
the winter. The whimsy of the text would be appropriate to incorporate within language arts as well
as focus on the subject of hibernation. It would be appropriate to use for on grade level learners
because of the tier 2 vocabulary. (2nd)
Schlitt, C. Brandt, C. (2013). Perfectly Hidden: The Animal Kingdom’s Fascinating Camouflage. New York, NY:
Sky Pony Press.
This text shows information about many different animals that are masters of disguise. It shows may
unusual animals but allows students to see how each of them use their bodies as a mean for survival.
This book is appropriate to use to help uncover the mystery behind camouflage and adaptations. (2nd).
ABOVE GRADE LEVEL- LINGUISTIC

Bailey, J. Lilly, M. (2007). Cracking up: A Story about Erosion. London: A. & C. Black.
This nonfictional text uses cartoon like images to explain the process of the erosion of a cliff through the different weather elements. This book
would be appropriate to use when discussing content of the how and what erosion is in a humorous and lasing manner. (3 rd-4th).
Berkes, M. DiRubbio, J. (2010). Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.
Rather than the focus being put on how animals get to where they’re going, this book discusses how animals come home. By using verse and poetic
vocabulary, this text would be appropriate to use when students understand the topic of migration. By using this text, students could uncover the
content as well as spend time working with literary devices. (3rd-4th).
Furgang, K. Samaras, T. (2012). Everything Weather. Washington, DC: National Geographic.
This text discovers all things weather including facts and photos. It includes natural occurrences like earthquakes, hurricanes and helps students
understand real life weather events. This book would be appropriate to use in terms of extension activities in learning how weather and the different
seasons effect the Earth everyday. (3rd-5th).
Freed, K. (n.d.). Camouflage. Retrieved from.https://www.readinga-z.com/book.php?id=137
This online reader explains different types of camouflage that animals use to survive. The text uses pictures as well as explanatory vocabulary that
allow students to discover how animals use their bodies to keep away from predators in the wild. This text would be good to help students
understand the content of different animal behaviors. (3rd).
NON LINGUISTIC

Animal Migration: Games. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/animal_migration/games.cfm

This website allows for students to interact and learn from pictures and charts about different animal migration patterns. It has games that
help bring a broader knowledge of migration to students.This could be used within whole group instruction or for higher leveled students
it could allow for them to work on extension activities based off of the website.
[Peekaboo Kidz]. (2015, August 5). Hibernation-The Dr. Bincos Show-Learn Videos for Kids. [ Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FonCq9YJJxw
This YouTube video explains hibernation through graphics that appealing to young learners. It touches on animals that hibernate in the
winter and what some animals do during the summer seasons. This video would be appropriate as an anticipatory set when beginning the
unit or acting as a review for the topic.
Shape It Up! (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/shapeitup.html
This website allows for students to interact with different ways the Earth is weathered and eroded. Students are given a before and after
picture and have to decide how it was eroded and how long it took. The interactive site is purposeful for 2 nd graders as they uncover how
they Earth changes over time.