a group of living and nonliving things that are found together in nature

different ecosystems that will be learned about through the unit:

forest ecosystem tropical rain forest ecosystem desert ecosystem grassland ecosystem tundra ecosystem

The process that plants use to make food. Green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon

dioxide from the air to make their own food.

Plants or other living things that make their own food.

Living things that eat other living things. Such as: Animals that eat plants Animals that eat other animals

living things that break down wastes and dead living things.

Examples: Earthworms Fungi Bacteria

Tiny one-celled living things. Bacteria is a decomposer that breaks things

down into nutrients.

Substances needed for life. Nutrients work in a cycle. Nutrients are in soil and help plants to grow. Animals eat plants to get nutrients to live. Animals die and their nutrients decompose into the

soil.

Shedding leaves at the end of the growing season. Examples of deciduous trees: Oak Hickory Maple Birch

A green substance found in green plants. Chlorophyll is found in leaves and is what

causes them to be green.

List the nonfiction features you notice on the article and explain the purpose of each.

For example: The title “Amazing Apes” tells us the topic of

the article.

To grow or develop well. Often used to describe plants. (thriving)

Changes from a liquid into a gas. Hot water evaporates into steam.

The gas form of a substance that is usually a solid or liquid. Clouds fill with water vapor.

A type of tree with thin needles instead of leaves. Often has cones which protect its seeds from

cold weather. Also called softwoods and evergreens. Green all year round

Mammals that have large front teeth. Rodents: Mice Rats Squirrels Nutria Beavers

To begin to grow, to sprout

The heating of the Earth due to carbon dioxide buildup in the gases around it.

A mound of sand or dirt formed by the wind Usually found in the desert or beach

In an inactive state, alive but not growing. Examples: A volcano that is not erupting A bear that is hibernating

Neither too hot or too cold, mild. Temperate is often used to describe a

climate, or weather.

at risk of extinction. Endangered animals are at risk of no longer

existing. Animals often become endangered because

of a change in their ecosystem, or from being hunted.

A flat, treeless region in the arctic where the subsoil is always frozen.

Soft, wet area near water that cannot support the weight of a heavy body. Can also be called a swamp or marsh.

To move to another area during a season. Many types of birds migrate south for the winter because they can’t live in the cold. Ducks Geese

Coloring that hides an animal. Many animals have fur with a pattern or the

same color as their surroundings to help them blend in.