Ecology Close Reading Unit

We have developed this Common Core aligned complete Ecology Unit with CLOSE Reading passages, text dependent questions, and essential questions that contains everything needed to teach a rigorous unit on ecology. Original CLOSE Reading nonfiction passages were created to help teach your students about all aspects of ecology. CLOSE reading instructions and an anchor chart are included to help you incorporate this skill into your teaching. There are text dependent questions aligned with each passage, a set of vocabulary cards with definitions to accompany each nonfiction text, a research report, Common Core Essential Questions, performance tasks, and RAFTS. A variety of other graphic organizers and activities are included. This unit emphasizes "Depth of Knowledge" (D.O.K.) throughout.

We do encourage you to supplement with any other books, videos, and websites that you already use; they will blend nicely with our CLOSE reading passages. You can use this unit in its entirety, or “pick and choose” the components to meet the needs of your students.
This unit contains the following elements:

• CLOSE reading nonfiction passages:

1. An Introduction to Ecology, page 1
2. Habitats, Biomes, and Ecosystems, page 2
3. Food Chains and Food Webs, pages 3 and 4
4. Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers page 5
5. Species, Populations, Communities page 6

• Vocabulary cards with definitions, one for each CLOSE reading passage topic-( provided for vocabulary support to scaffold for students who need more support).

• CLOSE Reading Instructions (PowerPoint or handout) explaining the steps of CLOSE Reading.

• Anchor Chart for student annotation and Discussion Topics for CLOSE Reading.
• Student Bookmarks with annotation rules so they have a smaller version of the anchor chart at their desk while they read

• “Text Dependent Questions”

• Common Core Essential questions
• Ecology Research Report

• Cognitive Content Dictionary

• KWL Chart

• Venn Diagram

• A Tree Map Graphic Organizer

• CLOZE worksheets (a fill-in the blank) worksheet and answer sheet to assess vocabulary attainment and your students’ ability to utilize context clues.



If you like this product, please check back soon as we will be posting new products in the near future. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will promptly help you. You can send us a “Question” through our store or email us at theteacherteam@gmail.com

Thank you!

The Teacher Team