African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa. 

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Just like the rest of its body, an elephant has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

Which section of the text would you use to answer the question “How do elephants protect themselves from getting a sunburn?”

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa. 

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Just like the rest of its body, an elephant has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

Which section of the text would you use to answer the question “what do elephants eat?”

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run into something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

How do the headings organize the information? 

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run into something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

Which section of the text would you use to answer the question “How do dogs help kids become better readers?”

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run into something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

Which section of the text would you use to answer the question “Which dogs find people who are lost or missing?”

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."

What was the main topic of both passages? 

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."

What does the word "amused" mean? 

The Game of Soccer

The History

The game of soccer started a very long time ago in another country, England. They named the sport of soccer, “football.” They called this game “football” because the players played the game on and with their feet. In America, we call the sport “soccer.” Although they may call it by different names, many people play the game of soccer all around the world.

The Teams

A soccer game has two teams. Each team has eleven players on the field at a time. One of those players is called the “goalie.” The goalie’s job is to stop the ball from going into the goal. The goalie is the only player that is able to touch the ball with his hands during a soccer game.

The Game

Most soccer games last 90 minutes and there is only one break in the middle of the game. During a soccer game, each team tries to kick the ball into the opposite team’s goal. Unlike many other sports, soccer games can end in a tie, meaning there might not be a winner or a loser after each game because each team has the same score.

 What does the word “team” mean?

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 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 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 journey as it is used in the passage?