Our class will be diving into an exciting, connected unit across science, reading, and writing. In science, we are beginning our study of plants, focusing on their structures, functions, and how they survive and thrive in various environments. As we build our understanding, we will expand into ecosystems, exploring how living things depend on one another through food chains and food webs.

In reading, we will anchor our learning with the nonfiction text The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8, which tells the true story of the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Students will learn how the removal of wolves disrupted the ecosystem and how their return helped restore balance. Through this text, we will explore real-world examples of how changes in one part of an ecosystem can impact many others. We will also read Runt by Marion Dane Bauer in literature circles, giving students opportunities to make meaningful connections between fiction and nonfiction.

In writing, students will apply their learning through two research projects. First, they will research carnivorous plants, exploring how their unique structures and functions help them survive. Then, students will extend their learning by researching wolves, connecting their understanding of ecosystems and the important role wolves play within them. This unit will help students see how everything in nature is connected while strengthening their reading, writing, and scientific thinking skills.