Vocabulary
Amaranth is an ancient plant that has been grown for over 5,500 years! It is originally from Mexico and Guatemala, but now it is grown throughout the world. In Spanish it is called Amaranto.
Something that is 'ancient' must be...
Very old
Name the 4 features of a giant squid.
Eyes, arms, tentacles, suckers.
1. Coffee gives you energy in the morning for the rest of the day.
2. Coffee comes in many flavors for people to try.
3. Coffee is hot and warms you up on cold, winter mornings.
What claim is Miss Pruiett trying to make about coffee?
Coffee is the best morning drink.
What is the main idea?
Polar bears live in arctic climates. Countries in which polar bears live include Norway, Russia, Canada, Greenland, and the United States. In the United States, polar bears can be found in Alaska. The arctic is a harsh environment with temperatures far below freezing.
Polar bears live in arctic climates.
Scientists also track some albatrosses with tags. A Laysan albatross was tagged in 1956. Scientists have followed her ever since. They named her Wisdom. She is at least 70 years old. Almost every year, Wisdom returns to the Midway Atoll to raise a chick. The researchers who follow her say she has raised at least 39 chicks!
What does it mean to 'track' someone as the scientists are?
To follow them
What do we call the different shapes of the moon over time?
Phases
The claim is:
Recess should be one hour long.
WHY should recess be one hour long?
1. because kids need exercise everyday.
2. because kids need a break from school.
3. because it helps kids make friends at school.
4. because... (correct answer is determined by Miss Pruiett)
What is the main idea?
When cavities form they give bacteria a place to hide while forming a clear coating on your teeth called, plaque. A build up of plaque can burn holes in your teeth, so it is important to prevent the plaque from forming. Using fluoride toothpaste is a good way to prevent cavities. Another way you could prevent cavities is to avoid sugary foods, and chew sugar-free gum. There are many ways to prevent cavities, but the best way is to brush for two minutes, at least two times a day, using fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush. By doing this, you are making sure that you still have your teeth when you are older.
No matter what they’re eating, when pollinators go from flower to flower, they do important work. They spread pollen from one flower to the next! This spreading of pollen is very important for plants, animals, and even people.
What is a synonym for 'spread' as used here?
Bring/carry/take
Why is the honey bear able to run quickly in any direction?
It can turn it's feet completely backward.
What is the author's claim?
Studies show that the number of unwanted dogs in shelters are increasing, but there is not enough space and resources for them. People should help shelters by getting a dog. When you adopt a dog, you help shelters not get overcrowded. Also, your economic contribution helps shelters get more resources to help new dogs every year.
People should help shelters by getting a dog.
Chickens can be useful as pets, as they provide eggs that can be eaten. However, chickens must be taken care of carefully. If you have a chicken, you must make sure that they have plenty of food and water. Also, their chicken coop must be cleaned regularly, and their eggs collected! Eating potato skins or chocolate can be fatal for chickens, so make sure your chickens avoid these two foods!
The main idea is:
Chickens must be taken care of carefully.
What is ONE key detail to support this?
Any of the following details:
- You must make sure they have plenty of food and water.
- Their chicken coop must be cleaned regularly.
- Make sure your chickens avoid eating potato skins and chocolate.
The volcano exploded with terrible fury, spewing out great towers of fire. A huge cloud of gas and ash shot high into the sky. The day turned midnight black. But the mountain glowed red as rivers of lava gushed down the slopes. The eruption went on for more than three days. It was a deadly storm of fire, gas, ash, and rock. Finally, a wave of flames and gases swept down the mountain at speeds of 400 miles per hour. This pyroclastic flow destroyed everything in its path.
What does the word 'pyroclastic' mean here?
Volcanic, lava, eruption
If you were to eat a pizza with two MOST popular toppings on it, what would you find?
Pepperoni and sausage.
When Ronald McNair was a child, he was so fond of and good with mechanical things that his nickname became "Gizmo." Ronald went on to get a PHD from the famous and elite Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He became known as an expert in the field of laser technology.
When he learned that NASA was looking for scientists, Dr. McNair applied. From eleven thousand applications, McNair was one of thirty-five people chosen to join the Space Program. In 1984, Ronald became the second African American in space serving as a mission specialist on a one-week Challenger mission to take a special satellite to space. His expertise with lasers was important. The mission was successful.
The claim is Ronald McNair had incredible accomplishments in his life.
What are two pieces of reasons and evidence to support this?
Any two of the following:
- He got a PHD from the famous and elite Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- He became known as an expert in the field of laser technology.
- From eleven thousand applicants, McNair was one of thirty-five people chosen to join a NASA space program.
- He was the second African American in space.
An average beehive consists of about 20,000 bees. Within the colony, there are three types of bees, each with its own important job. One queen lives in a hive, and her only job is to fill the hive with eggs. In fact, a queen will lay about 1,500 eggs in just one day! Male bees are called drones. Their only job is to mate with the queen. Worker bees, on the other hand, are extremely busy. They are female bees that lay no eggs. Their many jobs include cleaning, gathering pollen, building new comb, and taking care of the larvae (baby bees).
The main idea is: There are three different types of bees with their own job.
What are TWO key details to support this?
Any TWO of the following details:
- One type of bee is the queen, her only job is to fill the hive with eggs.
- One type of bee are male bees called drones, their only job is to mate with the queen.
- One type of bee are female bees called worker bees, their job is to clean, gather pollen, build new comb, and take care of the baby bees.
Neil Armstrong retired from NASA and being an astronaut the year after Apollo 11. Armstrong was a professor at the University of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1979. He taught classes and did research. Armstrong later went into the business world. He stayed active in various groups that studied space and aeronautics.
What would Neil Armstrong have taught in his classes at UC?
Something about astonauts/space/rockets.
If I am in rush to get my lunch packed, should I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or dino nuggets to take with me?
Dino nuggets! If you are in a rush, dino nuggets only take 2-5 minutes while a peanut butter and jelly sandwich takes 10 minutes.
What is the author's claim? Give 2 reasons or evidence to support your answer.
Adobe is a material made of sand, water, and straw. The adobe can be shaped into bricks. The bricks harden in the sun and become great for building homes.
Adobe is a popular building material because it is durable. When a building is durable, it usually lasts for a long time. In fact, some of the oldest buildings in the world are adobe!
Adobe is also popular because it keeps homes cool during the warm summer months. Adobe soaks up the outside heat slowly, which means that the inside of the house does not get too hot. Because adobe homes stay cool in warm weather, they are popular in areas with hot climates.
Adobe is the best building material.
1. It is durable
2. It keeps homes cool during the warm summer months
What is the central idea? Give 2 key details to support your answer.
When you think about different flavors of ice cream, you may imagine chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. But have you ever heard of ice cream with lobster in it? A shop in Bar Harbor, Maine serves Lobster Ice Cream, which has real lobster pieces cooked, buttered, and folded into a buttery vanilla ice cream. A shop in New York tries out new one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors each day. Some of their creations include Garlic Ice Cream, Pizza Ice Cream, and Corn on the Cob Ice Cream. For Thanksgiving, you can have your turkey dinner and dessert all in one at another New York shop that makes Fresh Brown Turkey Ice Cream. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can make your way to Namja Town, an amusement park in Tokyo, Japan that serves Squid Ice Cream, Cow Tongue Ice Cream, and even Raw Horse Flesh Ice Cream!
Ice cream comes in many weird flavors.
Any TWO of the following key details:
1. A shop in Bar Harbor, Maine serves Lobster Ice Cream.
2. A shop in New Work serves Garlic Ice Cream, Pizza Ice Cream, and Corn on the Cob Ice Cream.
3. A different shop in New York serves Fresh Brown Turkey Ice Cream.
4. An amusement park in Tokyo, Japan serves Squid Ice Cream, Cow Tongue Ice Cream, and even Raw Horse Flesh Ice Cream.