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 must travel and find its spot in the dirt. Seeds must travel before they find the spot they will call home. 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. Animals can carry seeds many miles before dropping them in the dirt. 

Next seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. The roots grow and grow. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots will also hold the plant in place. Roots have many important jobs. After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and appears out of the ground.

The small stem continues to grow. The stem grows up towards the sun, where the plant will get its food. Now leaves begin to form on the stem. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Plants create their own food using the energy they get from the sun. 

Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants. Some plants have very large leaves, while others have smaller leaves or even no leaves at all. The size of the leaves depends on how much water and sunlight the plant has. A plant in a shady area or a place with little sun has larger leaves than a plant in an area with lots of sunlight and water.

Many adult plants grow flowers and or fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming new plants.

What is the meaning of the word form 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 must travel and find its spot in the dirt. Seeds must travel before they find the spot they will call home. 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. Animals can carry seeds many miles before dropping them in the dirt. 

Next seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. The roots grow and grow. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots will also hold the plant in place. Roots have many important jobs. After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and appears out of the ground.

The small stem continues to grow. The stem grows up towards the sun, where the plant will get its food. Now leaves begin to form on the stem. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Plants create their own food using the energy they get from the sun. 

Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow.  Water and sunlight are food for plants. Some plants have very large leaves, while others have smaller leaves or even no leaves at all. The size of the leaves depends on how much water and sunlight the plant has. A plant in a shady area or a place with little sun has larger leaves than a plant in an area with lots of sunlight and water.

Many adult plants grow flowers and or fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming new plants.

What is the meaning of the word “appears” as it is used in the sentence “After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and appears out of the ground.”?

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale’s tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

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

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale’s tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

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

“Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone.”?

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale’s tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

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

“They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.”?

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale’s tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

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

“Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods.”?

Marine Animals

Marine animals live in the sea. Many animals call the sea home. Some spend all of their time in water while others also live on land.

Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals. They spend all of their time in water. Dolphins are fast swimmers. They have sleek bodies and a strong tail, called a fluke, to help them move quickly through the water.

Dolphins are social animals. They live in groups called pods. Dolphins are very smart. They talk to each other by making whistling and clicking sounds. Dolphin sounds can be heard from very far away.

Dolphins cannot breathe underwater. They must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins love to jump and play. They like to play with seaweed and ride waves.

Whales

The largest living animal on Earth is the Blue Whale. All whales are mammals. They spend all of their time in the water. Whales have long, round bodies with flippers and a tail. A whale’s tail has 2 fins called flukes. It uses its strong tail to help it swim.

Whales can stay underwater for a long time, but they must come to the surface to breathe. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head that they use to breathe air.

Whales are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live alone. Whales communicate through low, deep noises that can be heard from miles away.

Sharks

Sharks are fish. Sharks spend all of their life underwater. Like fish, sharks have gills on the sides of their heads that help them breathe underwater. Sharks have fins and a strong tail to help them steer and swim through the water. Many sharks also have a fin on top of them.

Sharks have very strong senses. Sharks have good eyesight to help them see underwater. They also have an excellent sense of smell. A shark can smell a drop of blood in the ocean from 5 miles away.

Walruses

Walruses live on ice and in cold water. They have a thick layer of fat, called blubber, to help them stay warm. 

Walruses have 2 long tusks, or teeth. They use their tusks to help them dig for food, protect themselves from predators and move around. Walruses have flippers to help them swim in the water and walk on ice. They bark and make loud snorting noises to communicate with other walruses.

Sea Lions

Sea lions got their name from the roaring sound they make. Sea lions also make honking and barking noises. Sea lions like to live in large groups. They are very playful and clever. Sea lions can be trained to do tricks and are often seen in shows at zoos and at the circus.

Sea lions spend their time on land and in water. They have flippers that help them swim in water. When on land they use their flippers to help them walk. Sea lions also have short fur and blubber to help them stay warm in the cool water.

Sea Otters

Sea otters are marine mammals. They use their feet and tails to swim, but spend most of their time floating on their backs on the water. Sea otters even sleep and eat while floating on their backs.

Sea otters do not have blubber. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold water.

Sea Turtles

The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. Sea turtles have two sets of flippers that they use to help them swim in the water. Their large, front flippers are very strong and help them move through the water. Their back flippers help them steer. Sea turtles can stay underwater for over an hour before they need to breathe air.

Sea turtles live almost all of their lives in water, however, female sea turtles travel to land to lay eggs. Female sea turtles dig holes in the sand with their flippers to make a nest for their eggs. After it lays eggs, sea turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried on the beach. When baby sea turtles hatch, they crawl towards the water and begin life in the sea.

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

Text 1:

During the year, the weather has four seasons: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Each season can bring very different weather. When the weather changes, people have to make some changes too.

In the summer, the weather is normally very warm. There are green leaves on the trees and bright colored flowers blooming in gardens. To stay cool, people normally wear lightweight clothes in the summer.

The fall brings a change in the leaves and temperature. Tree leaves begin to turn from green to bright orange, yellow, and red. The temperature will begin to get cooler during the fall. People often put away their summer shorts and start wearing jeans in the fall.

Winter is a time for snow! The very cold temperatures of winter bring the snowflakes. The cold temperature also means that many plants won’t grow and trees are left with no leaves, just bare branches. In the winter many people wear thick winter coats, hats, and gloves to try to keep themselves warm.

In the spring the weather is still warm, but most places get a lot of rain in the spring. All of the rain helps the flowers start to grow. Because of the rain, it’s always smart to have a rain jacket and an umbrella in the spring.

Text 2:

Growing up, the four seasons can create a timeline for the year. As a new season starts, there is a new time in the year to look forward to.

Fall means the start of school and school sports! The temperatures start to get cool in the fall, but that’s perfect weather for school events like football and soccer games.

Though winter can bring very cold temperatures, it can also bring snow days! Some places can get a lot of snow, which sometimes means they have to miss some days of school in the winter. This means that instead of going to school, kids get to make snowmen and play outside.

When spring comes along the temperatures get warmer and melt the winter’s snow, but spring also means that school is coming to an end for the year. Teachers are busy trying to plan end of the year activities, and students can’t wait for summer break to begin!

When summer finally arrives, the temperatures are very warm and many kids spend afternoons playing at the pool. Long summer nights are spent catching fire flies in the backyard, or playing flashlight tag.

As the summer comes to end, back to school shopping begins. School supplies are picked out, and kids look forward to starting a new school year.

What main point was in Text 1 that wasn't in Text 2?

Text 1:

During the year, the weather has four seasons: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Each season can bring very different weather. When the weather changes, people have to make some changes too.

In the summer, the weather is normally very warm. There are green leaves on the trees and bright colored flowers blooming in gardens. To stay cool, people normally wear lightweight clothes in the summer.

The fall brings a change in the leaves and temperature. Tree leaves begin to turn from green to bright orange, yellow, and red. The temperature will begin to get cooler during the fall. People often put away their summer shorts and start wearing jeans in the fall.

Winter is a time for snow! The very cold temperatures of winter bring the snowflakes. The cold temperature also means that many plants won’t grow and trees are left with no leaves, just bare branches. In the winter many people wear thick winter coats, hats, and gloves to try to keep themselves warm.

In the spring the weather is still warm, but most places get a lot of rain in the spring. All of the rain helps the flowers start to grow. Because of the rain, it’s always smart to have a rain jacket and an umbrella in the spring.

Text 2:

Growing up, the four seasons can create a timeline for the year. As a new season starts, there is a new time in the year to look forward to.

Fall means the start of school and school sports! The temperatures start to get cool in the fall, but that’s perfect weather for school events like football and soccer games.

Though winter can bring very cold temperatures, it can also bring snow days! Some places can get a lot of snow, which sometimes means they have to miss some days of school in the winter. This means that instead of going to school, kids get to make snowmen and play outside.

When spring comes along the temperatures get warmer and melt the winter’s snow, but spring also means that school is coming to an end for the year. Teachers are busy trying to plan end of the year activities, and students can’t wait for summer break to begin!

When summer finally arrives, the temperatures are very warm and many kids spend afternoons playing at the pool. Long summer nights are spent catching fire flies in the backyard, or playing flashlight tag.

As the summer comes to end, back to school shopping begins. School supplies are picked out, and kids look forward to starting a new school year.

What main point was in Text 2 that wasn't in Text 1?

Passage 1

Adapted from Little Cinderella (1858)

It happened that the king's son sent invitations to a ball, which was to last two nights, and to which all the great people of the land were invited, the two sisters among the rest. This delighted them extremely, and their thoughts were entirely occupied in selecting their most becoming dresses for the important occasion. Poor Cinderella had now more work to do than ever, as it was her business to iron their linen, and starch their ruffles. The sisters talked of nothing but preparations for the ball. The eldest said, “I shall wear my crimson-velvet dress, and point-lace;” and the younger, “I shall put on my usual dress-petticoat, a mantle embroidered with gold flowers, and a tiara of diamonds.“

They sent to engage the services of the most fashionable hairdresser. They also called Cinderella to their aid; for she had very good taste, and she offered, in the most amiable manner, to arrange their heads herself; of which offer they were only too happy to avail themselves. Whilst so occupied, the eldest said, “Cinderella, should you like to go to the ball?”

“Alas!” said she, “you are ridiculing me. I am not likely to go to the ball.”

“You are right,” replied the sister; “people would be amused to see a Cinderella there.”

Passage 2

Adapted from Cinderella by Henry W. Hewet (1855)

It happened that the king's son gave a ball, to which he invited all the nobility; and, as our two young ladies made a great figure in the world, they were included in the list of invitations. So they began to be very busy choosing what head-dress and which gown would be the most becoming. Here was fresh work for poor Cinderella: for it was she, forsooth, who was to starch and get up their ruffles, and iron all their fine linen; and nothing but dress was talked about for days together. "I," said the eldest, "shall put on my red velvet dress, with my point-lace trimmings." "And I," said the younger sister, "shall wear my usual petticoat, but shall set it off with my gold brocaded train and my circlet of diamonds."

They sent for a clever tire-woman to prepare the double rows of quilling for their caps, and they purchased a quantity of fashionably cut patches. They called in Cinderella to take her advice, as she had such good taste, and Cinderella not only advised them well, but offered to dress their hair, which they were pleased to accept. While she was thus busied, the sisters said to her: "And pray, Cinderella, would you like to go to the ball?"

"Nay, you are mocking me," replied the poor girl; "it is not for such as I to go to balls." "True enough," rejoined they; "folks would laugh to see a Cinderella at a court ball."

According to the second passage, who got invited to the ball?