Core resources available in every Science A-Z Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science unit include:
Nonfiction Books (English and Spanish) - Address core concepts and provide details that support unit objectives. Each book is offered at three levels of complexity, low •, mid ••, and high •••, and convey similar concepts, images, and vocabulary to support students in accessing the content. Lexile® Measures certified by MetaMetrics® are provided inside each book. The accompanying Teacher’s Guide includes instructional strategies, vocabulary, discussion questions, and extension activities. Each book also has a quiz that assesses science content knowledge and reading comprehension via multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. Each question targets a specific ELA comprehension skill. Question types include literal, inferential, vocabulary, and data analysis.
Process Activities - Experiments and activities that provide hands-on practice with unit concepts. Includes materials list, procedures, data sheets, and questions to help students analyze data and draw conclusions. Can be adjusted by the teacher for open-ended inquiry.
FOCUS Books - Twelve-page books that help students focus more deeply on specific content related to the unit. Each set of five books has a range of text complexity for differentiated instruction. Lexile® Measures certified by MetaMetrics® are provided inside each book.* The FOCUS Question sets the purpose for reading and connects to a crosscutting science concept. The Read-Think-Write page and eQuiz assess students‘ reading comprehension and understanding of the content.
Investigation Packs - Sets of student reading materials that foster group discussion and collaboration. The texts and activities help students dig deeper into the science content found in existing Science A-Z units, while also practicing key science and literacy skills.
Vocabulary Cards - Unit vocabulary terms defined on clippable cards. Each card includes the part of speech and text complexity level(s) of the reading material in which the term appears.
Quick Reads - Magazine-like fact sheets on specific topics related to the unit content. Each topic is provided at three levels of text complexity. Brain Check questions provide discussion, writing, and homework options.
Career Files - Several science career opportunities related to the unit topic, spanning various degrees of prerequisite education. STEM careers are indicated with a special icon.
Debates - Allow students to consider several opposing perspectives on an issue related to unit concepts. Position cards are provided for extra support. Accompanied by primary and intermediate versions of the Debate Teacher's Guide.
Word Work - Single-page worksheets that reinforce important science concepts, while allowing individual practice and assessment. Answer sheets are provided.
Science Fair Resources - A wealth of resources for students and their families to help the student complete a science fair project.
Reading A-Z Books - Science A-Z customers have access to one Reading A-Z book for each instructional unit in the Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science domains. Each book supports the content of the science unit.
Game Packs - Fun activities created to solidify science vocabulary and reinforce each unit's concepts.
Science Videos - Instructional and engrossing videos showing real-world examples of science concepts in a way that text and static diagrams cannot.
Supporting resources available in some Science A-Z Units include:
Project-Based Learning Packs - Inquiry-based projects for students to build teamwork skills by collaborating to answer the Driving Question. Student resources help individuals and teams plan their project and stay organized throughout. Teacher resources help teachers facilitate the project, as well as assess student performance.
Concept Books - Short books covering a Big Idea, allowing students to make connections between various concepts within an instructional unit. Concept books can be located in the Supporting Materials section of select units.
Science Diagrams - Illustrate important content to help students read and interpret charts and diagrams, ideal for visual learners.
Interactive Science Lessons - Virtual lessons guide students through independent, small-group, or whole-class exploration of important science topics. Each lesson offers instruction, practice, and assessment using text and accompanying audio. Practice and quiz slides provide immediate feedback and explanations of difficult concepts. Graphics, animations, and simulated interactive experiments help students visualize the content being presented.
Additional Science A-Z resources available independent of a Unit include:
Science in the News - High-interest articles related to current events in science, technology, engineering, and other subjects help students to explore the fascinating, dynamic world of science news while developing the genre-specific skill of reading the news. Provided at three levels of complexity: upper, middle, and early elementary. Past issues available in the archive.
Scientist and Inventor Cards - Trading cards that help students learn about science as a human endeavor. The cards feature historical and contemporary individuals who have made significant contributions to science, engineering, technology, and industry.
Graphic Organizers - Aid comprehension by providing students with a structure for connecting old and new information.
Retelling Rubrics - Assess students‘ comprehension of books and scientific texts against consistent criteria using the details provided by the student.
Storylines - Comprehensive instructional plans designed to help teachers address all three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each plan includes a series of lessons, student-driven investigations, readings, and assessments that support standards-aligned, phenomenon-driven learning.
Distance Learning Packs - Provide families with resources to continue learning no matter the location. Packs are organized according to grade band and include select Science A-Z videos, digital activities, reading resources, and hands-on activities that focus on popular topics in Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science. Packs can be assigned to or downloaded for individual students or groups. Process Activities can be emailed or printed and mailed to students and their families.
*Lexile® Measures for texts are certified through a partnership with MetaMetrics®.