Structure and Function Readers and Passages
Ants and Pheromones
This quiz is designed for 2nd and 3rd grade students to test their understanding of how ants communicate using pheromone...
RI.3.1RI.2.1
Hungry Organisms
This educational passage addresses NGSS K-LS1-1 by comparing plant and animal survival needs through a garden story. Stu...
K-LS1-1RL.1.1
Food for Animals
This passage supports NGSS K-LS1-1 learning by showcasing different animal feeding patterns. Through observations of bac...
K-LS1-1RL.1.1
Plant Helpers
This passage explores NGSS K-LS1-1 through the interdependent relationship between bees and flowers. Students learn how ...
K-LS1-1RL.1.1
What is a Mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure. Minerals...
RI.5.3RI.6.3RI.7.3
Difference Between a Rock and a Mineral
Rocks are mixtures of minerals, while minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a specific composition and...
RI.5.3RI.6.3RI.7.3
Do All Minerals Have Crystal Structures?
All minerals have a crystalline structure, but not all form visible crystals. The size and shape of crystals depend on f...
RI.5.3RI.6.3RI.7.3
Why Are Pollinators Important?
This passage explores the critical ecological role of pollinators in maintaining ecosystem stability and supporting huma...
MS-LS2-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Why Are Honeybees Important?
This passage explores the essential ecological and agricultural roles of honeybees, supporting NGSS standard MS-LS2-4 on...
MS-LS2-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
The Narwhal: Arctic’s Unicorn of the Sea
This NGSS-aligned passage (MS-LS2-1) explores how narwhals survive in Arctic ecosystems. Students learn about specialize...
MS-LS2-1RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
The Fascinating Dumbo Octopus: Deep-Sea Wonder
Aligned to NGSS, this passage explores Dumbo octopus adaptations like ear-like fins for swimming at 3,000-13,000 ft dept...
MS-LS1-5RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Venus Flytrap Facts
This passage explains where Venus flytraps live in North Carolina bogs, how their snap traps work, and their unique way ...
MS-LS1-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
How Can We Help Pollinators and Stop Their Decline?
Pollinators including bees (Apis mellifera), butterflies (Lepidoptera), birds, and bats face severe threats with 40% of ...
MS-LS2-4RI.7.3RI.8.8RI.8.3
The Blue-Ringed Octopus: Deadly Ecosystem Engineer
This NGSS aligned passage explores how the tiny blue-ringed octopus impacts its ecosystem through predator-prey relation...
MS-LS2-1RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Pitcher Plants: Reproduction Facts
This passage describes tropical and North American pitcher plants, their liquid-filled traps, and how they get nutrients...
MS-LS1-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Tardigrades: Microscopic Superheroes
Aligned to MS-LS1-1, this passage examines how tardigrade cell structures (TDP proteins, DNA-repair enzymes) allow survi...
MS-LS2-1RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Wolves of Yellowstone
This passage explores the ecological concept of trophic cascades through the landmark case study of wolf reintroduction ...
MS-LS2-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
Arctic Fox Facts: What Do Arctic Foxes Eat?
This passage explores the Arctic fox's dietary adaptations aligned with NGSS standard MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Interactions)....
MS-LS2-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8
What Would Happen If Bees Went Extinct?
This passage examines the potential consequences of bee extinction, perfectly aligned with NGSS standard MS-LS2-4 on eco...
MS-LS2-4RI.6.3RI.7.3RI.8.8