Science A-Z

What materials are available on Science A–Z?
How are the unit topics chosen?
How do I use the units and resources?
In what order should I use the resources in each unit?
Can I use units and resources from any grade level?
Should I use every resource within a unit?
How do I choose which reading level to use within a unit?
How are the reading materials leveled?
Do your reading levels correlate to Reading A-Z?
Can I use Science A-Z with other Learning A-Z products?
How does Science A-Z align with research and/or state and national standards?
Does Science A-Z align with the No Child Left Behind Act?
Are your resources available in languages other than English?
Do you provide answer keys?
How often are new resources made available?
How do I assemble the books?
Do you offer materials in full color and in black-and-white?
How do I print black-and-white copies from a color printer?
What if I just want to sample the materials before purchasing?

What materials are available on Science A–Z?
Science A-Z has many resources to build and support a successful K-6 science program. To meet the varying needs and abilities of students, each unit is aimed at a grade range at which the topic is taught in most states, and the resources within each unit are provided at three developmental reading levels: low •, middle ••, and high •••. The K-2 units include concept books at a fourth reading level for Kindergarten. We have a total of ten reading levels across the three grade ranges — K-2, 3-4 and 5-6.

Every unit includes all or most of the following science resources: a Unit Guide, a Unit Map, Nonfiction Books written at multiple reading levels, a Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide, a Unit Quiz, Quick Reads at multiple reading levels, leveled Discussion Cards, leveled Vocabulary Cards, Word Work activities, hands-on Process Activities, Process Activity Teaching Tips, Career Files, graphic organizers, and a nonfiction retelling rubric. Each unit also includes many supplemental resources.

How are the unit topics chosen?
The content scope and sequence is chosen after careful comparison of guiding documents, including the National Science Education Standards (NAP), Science Benchmarks (AAAS), and Science Framework (McREL), and by review of state science standards and popular elementary science programs. Unit topics are roughly divided among Life (including the human body), Earth (including space science), and Physical Science. Additional units deal with general science skills, such as scientific skills and tools. Some units are interdisciplinary; for example, the Water unit includes ideas from life and health science, Earth science, physical science, and technology. Other strands, such as systems, the environment, and the nature of science, are infused as appropriate.

How do I use the units and resources?
The Nonfiction Books are the primary science content resource within each Life, Earth, and Physical Science unit. These books teach the concepts covered by the Unit Quiz. Use additional resources found on the Core Materials tab of each unit's download page to expand instruction. The Supplemental Materials broaden students' understanding and ignite curiosity about the topic.

In what order should I use the resources in each unit?
We suggest beginning each unit with the Spark (a hands-on, fun, science experiment or a teacher demonstration) presented in the Unit Guide, in order to activate prior knowledge, ignite curiosity, and help students make personal connections to the topic. Some teachers might then introduce vocabulary, or dive into the Nonfiction Books. The Quick Reads go into more detail about topics mentioned in the Nonfiction Books, so some teachers use the Quick Reads to reinforce concepts in the Nonfiction Books. The Unit Quiz can be used before and after a unit, both as preassessment, and as a comprehension check after the unit. The Process Activities can be used at any point to let students experience the unit concepts firsthand, but they may be easiest for students to understand after they've read the Nonfiction Book. The resources have been developed to enable you to customize your teaching, so feel free to incorporate unit elements in the order that best suits your classroom or the material being presented.

Should I use every resource within a unit?
It's entirely up to you. Science A-Z is designed to be a flexible, customizable, tool for differentiating your teaching. Pick and choose the resources that best suit your and your students' needs. If you are using a Science A-Z unit as your primary instructional resource, then we recommend that you use as many of the Core and Supplemental Materials as you have time to use with students. However, if you are using a Science A-Z unit to supplement your existing curriculum, then we recommend that you choose the Science A-Z materials that best meet the needs of your students, or to fill gaps in other teaching materials you already use.

How do I choose which reading level to use within a unit?
A typical classroom consists of students representing a wide range of reading abilities. Each unit in Science A-Z has three reading levels. If you are using a unit at your grade level, you may wish to divide the class into three reading levels and then match the lower-level resources to the lower-level readers, the middle-level resources to the average readers, and the higher-level resources to the higher-level readers. You might consider using one reading level from the unit for whole-class activities, and then employ the other reading levels in small reading groups or as homework. If you are using a unit above your grade level, then consider using only the low level of the Nonfiction Books and Quick Reads. Likewise, if you are using a unit below your grade level, you might only select the high level of the Nonfiction Books and Quick Reads.

How are the reading materials leveled?
Each book is written to research-based guidelines and undergoes a rigorous process to ensure that it is leveled correctly. The text is then run through a computer program that scores it on the basis of many factors, including word count, number of high-frequency words, and word difficulty. In addition, picture support, the amount of text per page, and the difficulty of the concepts are analyzed. Finally, Learning A-Z editors as well as a group of experienced reading specialists, researchers, and teachers review each book. Learning A-Z's leveling system is proprietary.

Do your reading levels correlate to Reading A-Z levels?
Science A-Z reading materials are written for certain targeted grade spans. Refer to the chart for the approximate range of Reading A-Z levels that correlate with Science A-Z grade spans. Note that some Reading A-Z levels appear in two Science A-Z grade spans. This means that a student using Reading A-Z books at a given level might be well suited to read Science A-Z materials from more than one grade span.

Can I use Science A-Z with other Learning A-Z products?
Yes. We provide a list of recommended Reading A-Z books to support each unit's science content. You can even download a free Reading A-Z book under the Supplemental Materials tab for each unit in Life, Earth, and Physical Science. Additionally, we offer a list with each unit indicating the Learning A-Z sister websites — RAZ-Kids, Writing A-Z,  Vocabulary A-Z, and Reading-Tutors that can be used to support the content of each Science A-Z unit.

Does Science A-Z align with the No Child Left Behind Act?
Yes. Science is an important part of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), which requires that schools test student progress in science, as well as reading and math. Unit Quizzes are provided as well as instructional support for reading comprehension skills as described in the NCLBA.

Are your resources available in languages other than English?
At this time, Science A-Z resources are available only in English. However, we do everything we can to meet the needs of our customers. If you would like to request resources in an alternate language, please send your request to our customer service department at support@learninga-z.com.

Do you provide answer keys?
Yes, many student resources are accompanied by an answer sheet, including the Unit Quiz, Word Work activities, and worksheets. The Process Activity Teaching Tips provide suggested responses for student data sheets and scientific explanations for the student questions pages. Some answer sheets are included on the last page of a PDF; remember not to include copies of the answer sheet with the student pages. There is no answer key for discussion questions, because this resource is intended to foster communication and higher-order thinking skills.

How often are new resources made available?
We generally add new resources to the website every four weeks. These resources include new units and additional resources for existing units. The box near the bottom of the home page features new resources and updates. Additionally, members receive periodic updates via email.

How do I assemble the books?
Book assembly instructions for each book are located under the Supplemental Materials tab for each unit in Life, Earth, and Physical Science. For K-2 units, there are also instructions to assemble the smaller concept books.

Do you offer materials in full color and in black-and-white?
Science A-Z offers full-color materials. If you want to print them in black-and-white on a black-and-white printer, simply download the materials and press print.

How do I print black-and-white copies from a color printer?
All materials are set to print in color. Remember to adjust your printing preferences if black-and-white output is desired from a color printer.

What if I just want to sample the materials before purchasing?
To preview resources before purchasing, visit the Free Sample section.