Passage Main Idea
1A: “Hiding from Danger”
The passage describe how the shape or markings of some animals closely imitate their natural surroundings. By looking like something else, animals are less likely to be found and eaten by predators.
3B: “Deep Sea Vents”
The discovery of deep sea vents and the variety of animals that live around them has radically changed scientists' ideas about what conditions are needed for life to exist. Now researchers are using this knowledge to look back on life on Earth as well as to consider the possible life forms they might one day find in space.
6A: “Writing around the World”
The passage describes the evolution of writing from the simple marks the Sumerians made in clay to the various systems in use throughout the world today, focusing on pictographic and alphabetic writing systems.
Unit 1: "Predators and Prey"
This unit focuses on how some animals catch food and how others avoid being caught and eaten by larger animals. The first chapter describes how some animals are able to blend with their surroundings, while the second chapter describes how spiders use their webs to catch food.
Unit 6: "The Power of Writing"
This unit focuses on the basis for literacy, writing, and reading. The first chapter describes the history of writing systems, while the second chapter is based on an essay discussing the role of books in society and the benefits of reading bools
1B: “Spider Webs”
The passage describes the nature and use of spider silk. Spiders spin webs from their silk to form hiding places, to hold eggs, and to catch food. Despite their fragile appearance, spider webs are very strong and flexible, so engineers are interested in learning more about them
4A: “When Danger Is Near”
The passage describes how two men reacted when faced with life-threatening situations. Neither man gave up and both retained a positive attitude.
6B: “Why Do People Read?”
The passage is adapted from an essay written by a librarian in 1920. The author argues that books are important because they provide information, fun, and inspiration. Most of all, they make it possible for ideas to spread across places and time.
Unit 2: "Bionics"
This unit focuses on bionics, machines that imitate natural things. The first chapter describes how a woman copes with her bionic arm, while the second chapter describes how some robots are becoming more and more human-like
Unit 7: "Lewis Carroll"
This unit focuses on the life and writings of Lewis Carroll. The first chapter describes how "Alice in Wonderland" came about, while the second chapter elaborates on the origins of the story through a poem that was part of "Through the Looking Glass"
2A: “Remaking Humans”
The passage describes how Amanda Kitts, who lost her arm in an accident, adapts to an artificial, robotic arm. Although the arm is not perfect yet, Kitts is hopeful that it will improve enough that she can feel things with her hands.
4B: “Survival at Sea”
The passage is based on an excerpt from Nick Ward's book, "Left for Dead," in which he describes how a terrible storm developed during a yacht race, forcing him to struggle to survive on his own in the middle of the ocean.
7A: “The Wonderland of Lewis Carroll”
The passage describes how the real-life Charles Dodgson was a shy man who related better to children than adults. One of the stories he told some children became a famous book (Alice in Wonderland)
Unit 3: "Clues about the Past"
This unit focuses on research in extreme environments that may provide information about how Earth was formed and where life is possible. The first chapter describes the processes that Earth went through in its development, while the second chapter describes the life that has been discovered to exist near volcanic vents, deep in the ocean.
What is cause and effect?
"Cause" is the reason something happens and an "effect" is what happens as a result of the "cause"
2B: “Making Robots Human”
The passage describes how robots are becoming increasingly independent and human-like in their ability to do things. Some developers think that the next generation of robots will be able to interact with and take care of people, just as well as humans do.
5A: “Saturn”
The passage describes some of the main features of the planet Saturn and the recent missions by international space programs to explore the planet. Most recently, information and videos from the Cassini spacecraft have helped scientists understand Saturn better.
7B: “Through the Looking Glass”
The reading passage and poem describes how the Alice stories began to be written, and in particular, Dodgson's memories of the day he created "Alice in Wonderland." In the second book of Alice's adventures called "Through the Looking Glass," he included this poem about his memories of that day.
Unit 4: "Survival"
This unit focuses on survival experiences in extreme situations. The first chapter describes how two men each responded to almost fatal circumstances, while the second chapter is based on an excerpt from Nick Ward's account of how he survived being left for dead after a yacht race went terribly wrong.
What is sequencing?
Sequencing is putting events in order (chronological order -by time)
3A: “Earth’s Beginning”
The passage describes some of the most important states in scientists' account of the 4.6 billion years of Earth's development. In particular, it describes how early life forms appeared, and gradually created oxygen in the atmosphere
5B: “To the Moon”
The passage is taken from a 1962 speech by American President John F. Kennedy. In this excerpt, he talks about the many challenges of the planned moon mission. Despite the problems, Kennedy commits to the mission to send men to the moon.
What is a main idea and a supporting detail?
Main ideas are the topic/focus and purpose of the passage and represents the key concept that the author wants the reader to know. Supporting details are reasonings that show/explain a "how" or "why" about the main idea/topic
Unit 5: "Outer Space"
This unit focuses on the exploration of space. The first chapter describes the planet Saturn, while the second chapter contains part of a famous speech made in 1962 by American president John F. Kennedy about American's mission to go to the moon.
What is classification?
Can be done using a Venn-Diagram where you categorize information or topics by comparing and contrasting