The Cats

Pam and Tom are two cats. They live in the park and watch as the days go by. 

Tom likes to watch the birds fly around the park. He watches them fly up in the tree tops and down to the ground. Tom’s favorite bird is the Blue Jay because he loves the color blue. 

Pam likes to watch the kids play in the park. She watches as a boy goes down the slide and a girl swings on the swing set. Pam’s favorite part about the park is the slide. She is too scared to slide down the slide, but she likes to watch the kids slide down.

How does Pam feel about going down the slide? 

Fox and Friends

Today, I woke up feeling sad. In a forest full of other animals, I do not have a friend. No one wants to be friends with me because I am a fox. When animals see me coming they run away.

As I walk to the pond, I hear laughing and a lot of splashing. I see a deer and a rabbit playing in the water. The deer is laughing and smiling. He looks very happy.

I decide to hide behind a bush and ask them if I can play. This way they can hear me but not see me. “Can I come play with you?” I yell.

The deer and rabbit look for me, but they cannot see me. The deer says, “Yes, but you have to stop hiding!”

When I come out the rabbit seems scared, but the deer comes straight to me and gives me a big hug. As I play in the pond with my two friends, I feel so happy.

How does the fox feel at the start of the story?

Seed to Plant

A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.

First a seed finds its spot in the dirt. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals such as squirrels or birds. 

Next seeds need water and sunlight. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. Soon a small stem pops out above the ground.

The small stem continues to grow and forms leaves. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants.

Some plants have flowers and others have fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming a plant.

What is the meaning of the word depend in the sentence “Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.”?

Seed to Plant

A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.

First a seed finds its spot in the dirt. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals such as squirrels or birds. 

Next seeds need water and sunlight. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. Soon a small stem pops out above the ground.

The small stem continues to grow and forms leaves. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants.

Some plants have flowers and others have fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming a plant.

What is the meaning of the word journey as it is used in the passage?

Seed to Plant

A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.

First a seed finds its spot in the dirt. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals such as squirrels or birds. 

Next seeds need water and sunlight. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. Soon a small stem pops out above the ground.

The small stem continues to grow and forms leaves. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants.

Some plants have flowers and others have fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming a plant.

What is the meaning of the word spread as it is used in the sentence “Wind can spread seeds long distances.”?

Seed to Plant

A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.

First a seed finds its spot in the dirt. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals such as squirrels or birds. 

Next seeds need water and sunlight. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. Soon a small stem pops out above the ground.

The small stem continues to grow and forms leaves. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants.

Some plants have flowers and others have fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming a plant.

Which of the following words does not belong?

Arctic Animals

The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.

Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter, when temperatures drop, the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.

Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.

Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it from predators.

Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of Arctic wolves hunt together in packs.

Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.

Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.

Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.

The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.

Based on the text, what is a “predator”?

Arctic Animals

The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.

Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter, when temperatures drop, the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.

Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.

Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it from predators.

Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of Arctic wolves hunt together in packs.

Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.

Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.

Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.

The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.

Based on the text, what is a “pack”?

Arctic Animals

The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.

Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter, when temperatures drop, the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.

Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.

Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it from predators.

Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of Arctic wolves hunt together in packs.

Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.

Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.

Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.

The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.

Based on the text, what is the meaning of “difficult”?

Arctic Animals

The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.

Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter, when temperatures drop, the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.

Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.

Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it from predators.

Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of Arctic wolves hunt together in packs.

Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.

Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.

Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.

The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.

Which category do the following words belong in?

blubber, fur, feathers