Middle Grades EartH Science

This book includes a wide range of Earth and space science topics presented through engaging readings and embedded questions. Key topics include:

Earth’s Systems and Processes

• Plate tectonics and earthquakes

• Volcanoes and Earth’s interior

• Weathering and the rock cycle

• The Grand Canyon and Earth’s history

Weather and Climate

• The atmosphere and weather systems

• Hurricanes and thunderstorms

• El Niño and climate patterns

• What determines the weather?

Water and Ocean Systems

• The water cycle

• Ocean currents

• Why the ocean is salty

• Red tide and environmental impacts

Space Science

• The solar system and galaxies

• Phases of the Moon

• Telescopes and observation

• What objects share our solar system?

Florida and Real-World Connections

• Florida sinkholes

• Florida’s space industry

• Local weather patterns and hazards

Middle GraDes Physical Science

This book introduces key physical science concepts through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and reading comprehension. Key topics include:

Matter and Atomic Structure

• What matter is and how it is defined

• Properties of matter

• Atomic models, including the Rutherford model

• Real-world applications of atomic science

Forces, Mass, and Measurement

• Mass, weight, and gravity

• Density and how it is measured

• Understanding physical properties through real-world examples

Chemical Processes and Reactions

• Physical and chemical changes

• Conservation of mass

• How heat affects chemical reactions

• Acids and bases

Energy and Heat Transfer

• Energy transfer in different systems

• Heat flow and thermal energy

• Real-world examples of energy use

Light and Waves

• How light affects sight

• Refraction and behavior of light

• Beyond visible light and emerging technologies

Real-World Science Applications

• Nuclear science and applied physics (e.g., Naval systems)

• Emerging technologies such as photovoltaic energy

• Science concepts connected to everyday experiences

Middle Grades 

Life Science

This book explores key life science concepts through engaging, real-world readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and reading comprehension. Key topics include:

Living Systems and the Human Body

• Human body systems and how they function

• Respiration and breathing

• Skin and protection of the body

• Careers connected to life science (e.g., athletic training)

Cells, Organisms, and Classification

• The building blocks of life

• Organizing living things

• Characteristics of organisms

• Understanding biological structure and function

Genetics, Evolution, and Change Over Time

• Inheritance and traits

• Natural selection

• Ancestry and evolution

• Scientific perspectives on life’s origins

Ecosystems and the Environment

• Ecosystems and energy flow

• Keystone species and biodiversity

• Human impact, including deforestation

• Fire management and environmental decision-making

Marine and Florida-Based Life Science

• Coral reefs and ocean diversity

• Red tide and environmental effects

• Manatees and conservation

• Gopher tortoises and local ecosystems

Plants and Energy Systems

• Photosynthesis and plant processes

• Plants in extreme environments (including space)

• The role of plants in ecosystems

High-Interest and Real-World Applications

• Infectious diseases and public health (“Zombie Apocalypse”)

• Animal behavior and adaptations

• Unique biological questions (e.g., starfish anatomy)

• Science connected to everyday life and student curiosity

Grade 5

This book introduces foundational science concepts across multiple disciplines through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and literacy development. Key topics include:

Nature of Science and Scientific Thinking

• What it means to be a scientist

• Variables in experiments and investigations

• Repeatable and replicable results

• Historical case studies (e.g., The Bone Wars)

Matter and Its Properties

• What matter is and how it behaves

• Properties of matter

• Rates of dissolving

• Separating mixtures

• Physical and chemical changes

Forces, Motion, and Energy

• Energy transfer

• Forces and motion

• Friction and inertia

• Balanced and unbalanced forces

• Static electricity and basic electricity concepts

Earth Systems and Weather

• The water cycle

• Weather and climate systems

• Climate zones and environmental factors

Space Science

• Formation of the solar system

• Structure of our galaxy

• Objects within our solar system

Life Science Concepts

• Human body systems

• Natural selection

• Adaptations of plants and animals

Grade 4

This book introduces foundational science concepts across multiple disciplines through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and literacy development. Key topics include:

Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry

• What science is and how scientists think

• Observing, questioning, and investigating

• Using tools such as magnifiers

Matter and Its Changes

• Properties of matter

• Forms and changes of matter

• Conservation of mass

• How heat causes chemical change

• Uses of water in different states

Energy, Motion, and Forces

• Motion and speed

• Heat flow and energy transfer

• Sound and pitch

• Magnets and basic forces

• Moving water, air, and energy

Earth and Space Science

• Patterns in the sky and seasons

• Earth–Moon–Sun relationships

• Rocks, minerals, and Earth materials

• Weathering and erosion

• Introduction to the space industry

Earth’s Resources and Environment

• Renewable and non-renewable resources

• Florida-specific natural resources

• Environmental impacts of plants and animals

Life Science and Living Systems

• Plant reproduction and life cycles

• Animal traits (learned and inherited)

• Seasonal changes in plants and animals

• Energy flow in ecosystems

Grade 3

This book introduces foundational science concepts for Grade 3 students through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and literacy development. Key topics include:

Matter and Its Properties

• Measuring matter (mass, volume, and temperature)

• Observable properties of materials

• Water and the three states of matter

• Heat and temperature

Energy and Forces

• Forms of energy

• Energy from the Sun

• Friction and its effects

• How light and heat interact

Light and Space

• Properties of light

• Stars and our Sun

• Gravity and its effects

• Tools used to observe space (e.g., telescopes)

Plants and Their Functions

• Parts of plants and their roles

• How plants respond to their environment

• Seasonal changes in plant life

Animals and Classification

• Classifying animals

• Classifying plants

• Basic similarities and differences among living things

Grade 2

This book introduces foundational science concepts for Grade 2 students through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and early literacy development. Key topics include:

Being a Scientist

• What it means to be a scientist

• Observing and asking questions

• Exploring the world through investigation

Matter and Its Changes

• Observable properties of materials

• Water and its uses

• Changes in matter

Forces, Motion, and Energy

• Motion and how things move

• Magnets and their effects

• Gravity

• Basic uses of electricity

Earth and Weather

• Patterns in weather and seasons

• The Sun and its effects

• Wind and severe weather

Earth Materials

• Rocks and soil

• How Earth materials are used and observed

Living Things and Their Needs

• The human body

• Life cycles of plants and animals

• Basic needs of living things

• Where plants and animals live

Plants and the Environment

• Plant structures and functions

• How plants grow and survive

Grade 1

This book introduces early science concepts for Grade 1 students through engaging readings and embedded questions that support both science understanding and early literacy development. Key topics include:

Being a Scientist

• What it means to be a scientist

• Observing and asking questions

• Exploring the world through simple investigations

Matter and Observable Properties

• Describing objects using observable properties

• Identifying similarities and differences in materials

Forces and Motion

• How objects move

• Why objects move

• Basic ideas about pushes and pulls

Earth and Space

• Stars in the sky

• The Sun and its benefits and dangers

• Features of Earth’s surface

• Water as an important and sometimes dangerous resource

Changes Over Time

• How things change

• Fast and slow changes in the world

Living and Non-Living Things

• Differences between living and non-living things

• Basic needs of living organisms

• Introduction to life science concepts

Plants and the Human Body

• Parts of plants

• Basic features of the human body

• Observing ourselves and the world around us

Kindergarten

This book introduces early science concepts for Kindergarten students through engaging read-alouds, simple observations, and embedded questions that support both science understanding and early literacy development. Key topics include:

Being a Scientist

• What it means to be a scientist

• Observing the world using the five senses

• Asking questions about what we see and experience

Comparing and Describing the World

• Identifying how objects are different and alike

• Describing size (bigger and smaller)

• Recognizing changes in shape

Forces and Motion

• Pushes and pulls

• Fast and slow movement

• Gravity as a force that affects objects

Sound and Energy

• Exploring sound

• Understanding how we experience energy in everyday life

Earth and Sky

• Objects in the sky

• The Sun, Moon, and day/night patterns

• Recognizing patterns in the sky

Living Things

• Animal features

• Plant features

• Observing similarities and differences in living things

Imagination and Observation

• Distinguishing between real and imagined ideas

• Using observation to understand the world

Integrated Math Connections

• Opportunities to connect science concepts with early math skills

• Comparing, measuring, and identifying patterns