Text Set for 4th grade, SOL 4.

3, Living Systems and Processes Theme: Animal

Adaptations

Donna Moore

Longwood University

Read550: Literacy & Learning in the Content Classroom

Angelica Blanchette, Ed.D.

September 30, 2022

4th grade, SOL 4.3, Living Systems and Processes
Theme: Animal Adaptations
Rational: I chose Animal Adaptations because it relates cross curricular to a research project the
students will be doing in writing on animals. Students are easily engaged on lessons on animals.
Anchor text: “Exploring Science All Around Us”
Sable, J., Khodaparast, G. A., Rexrode, K., Just, W., Brand, B., Formaggio, J., Garrett, J., Ligon,
B., Matusevich, M., Zeigler, D. J., Linton, B., Swenson, L., Samuels, L., Ellington, M., &
Arnold, L. (2012). Exploring science all around us. Level 4. Five Ponds Press.

Reading level: 6th to 11th grade

Linguistic texts above grade level:

“How and Why Do Animals Adapt?” Kalman, B. (2014). How and Why Do Animals Adapt?

Crabtree Publishing Company.

Animals adapt, or change, to stay alive. Adaptation can happen in an animal’s body or in the
way it behaves.
6th grade reading level

“Master of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters”

Johnson, R. L. (2022 B.C.E.). Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters.

Millbrook PressTM.

An ant hurries over the rocky ground and pauses beside a dark pebble. Unfortunately for the
ant, this is the last thing it will ever do.
Start Reading
Grade level 4th-8th
“When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone”

Hinshaw Patent, D. (2001). When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature’s Balance in

Yellowstone (First). Bloomsbury USA Childrens.

Yellowstone National Park's majestic geologic wonders and remarkable wildlife draw millions
of visitors each year. But there was a time when these natural treasures were in great danger,
all because after years of unrestricted hunting, one key piece of the puzzle had been
eliminated-the wolf.
Now, more than a decade after scientists realized the wolves' essential role and returned them
to Yellowstone, the park's natural balance is gradually being restored. The informative dual-
level text and spectacular full-color photographs show the wolves in the natural habitat that
was almost lost without them. Readers of all ages will be inspired by the delicate natural
system that is Yellowstone.
Reading level 5th grade

“Teacher Created Materials - Science Readers: Content and Literacy: Adaptations”

Davies, M. (2015). Teacher Created Materials - Science Readers: Content and Literacy:
Adaptations (1st ed.). Teacher Created Materials.

This high-interest informational text will help students gain science content knowledge while
building their literacy skills and nonfiction reading comprehension. This appropriately leveled
nonfiction science reader features hands-on, simple science experiments and full-color images
and graphics. Fourth grade students will learn all about adaptation through this engaging text
that is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and supports STEM education.
6th grade reading level
Linguistic texts on grade level:

“National Geographic Readers: Great Migrations Amazing Animal Journeys” Marsh, L.

(2010). National Geographic Readers: Great Migrations Amazing Animal Journeys.

National Geographic Kids.

Every year like clockwork, animals both big and small are driven by a natural instinct to move,

in order to survive. On both land and sea, they fight the odds and the forces of nature to breed,

feed, or lead and carry on for future generations. This reader is an introduction to the treacherous

trek of the zebra, walrus, and Christmas Island red crab to overcome obstacles that include

hungry cheetahs, stinging yellow crazy ants, and even their fellow species to make the often

impossible journey of their lives. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA

Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Grade level: 4th

“Nic Bishop: Marsupials” Bishop, N. (2009). Nic Bishop: Marsupials. Scholastic Nonfiction.

Most people know about lions, zebras, monkeys, and bears, but what about bettongs and
bilbies? Or quolls and quokkas? And potoroos and pademelons? These animals live on the
continent of Australia, along with kangaroos, koalas, and many other marsupials. With
breathtaking full-page images, including a double-gatefold spread, Sibert-Honor photographer
Nic Bishop introduces the beauty and diversity of these amazing animals. The simple,
engaging text presents both basic information and fun, quirky facts about marsupials'
appearance, habits, and life cycle. An index and glossary are included.
Grade level 4th
“Leo the Snow Leopard” Hatkoff, J., Hatkoff, I., & Hatkoff, C. (2010). Leo, the snow leopard :

the true story of an amazing rescue. Scholastic Press.

The true story of a baby snow leopard's amazing rescue.

When Leo was less than seven weeks old, he became orphaned in the snowy Himalayan
mountains in Pakistan. Snow leopards need their mothers during the first two years of their
lives, but Leo was all alone. Luckily, the cub was rescued by a kind shepherd and his family,
who hand-fed Leo and kept him safe. But Leo quickly grew too large and was given to
Pakistani authorities, who also found themselves without the resources to help him. When the
Wildlife Conservation Society learned of Leo's plight, they knew they had to do something.
There was a special place that could save Leo:
Reading level 4th grade

“Migration and Animal Adaptations” Professor, B. (2001). Migration and Animal Adaptations.

Baby Professor.

Animals migrate and they adapt to their environments, just like humans. This level of
intelligence is necessary in ensuring that their species thrive. In this book, your third grader
will learn about migration and animal adaptation. In particular, he/she will learn about the
structural and behavioral changes adaptations that help plants and animals survive.
4th grade reading level
Linguistic texts below grade level:

“Animals in Winter” Bancroft, H. (1996). Animals in Winter. HarperCollins.

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the
classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and
animals.
Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold
weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate.
Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate.
Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the
cold and snow of winter?
Reading levels: prek-3

Keating, J. (2022). “Big as a Giant Snail (The World of Weird Animals. Knopf Books for Young

Readers.

It's a big wide world, full of critters that are larger than life! Sure, there are the usual suspects:

blue whales, polar bears, elephant seals . . . but others will take you by surprise. The giant snail,

for instance, or the ginormous Atlas moth. Like Pink Is for Blobfish and Cute as an Axolotl, Big

as a Giant Snail will cover a wide variety of species, while subtly delving into misconceptions

and stereotypes associated with size. Best of all? These tall tales are totally true!

Reading level K-3

“About Raptors: A Guide for Children” SIll, C. (2014). “About Raptors: A Guide for Children.”

Peachtree.

This beginner's guide uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what raptors
are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live.
The beautifully detailed, realistic paintings of noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduce
readers to many varieties of raptors around the world, from the majestic bald eagle of North
America to the sharp-eyed secretary bird of Africa. An afterword provides more information for
eager young learners.
Ideal for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary science units on
animals.
Reading level: K-2

“What If You Had Animal Eyes?” Markle, S. (2017). What If You Had Animal Eyes?”.

Scholastic, Inc.

If you could have any animal's eyes, whose would you choose?
What if you woke up one morning and your eyes weren't yours? What If You Had Animal Eyes?
-- the next imaginative book in the What If You Had series -- explores what would happen if you
looked in the mirror and saw a pair of animal eyes instead of your own! From the chameleon's
eyes that can point in different directions, to the colossal squid's eyes that shine in the dark,
discover what it would be like if you had these special eyes -- and find out why your eyes are just
the right ones for you!
K-3 reading level
Nonlinguistic pieces:
Wild Kratts Episode

Wild Kratts. (2021). Wild Kratts - Build It Beaver. In Dailymotion.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x80gzkd

The Wild Kratts team must lend a hand to help a beaver rebuild its damaged lodge and restore

the ecosystem for all the creatures who live there.

Sloth Adaptation Podcast

White, J. (2019 B.C.E., November 26). sloth adapatation.

https://anchor.fm/jeremiah-white2/episodes/SLOTHS-ADAPTATIONS-e96f84

A podcast talking about all the different adaptations sloths have in order to survive.