Description
This print-and-digital resource includes everything you need to teach terrestrial, freshwater, and aquatic ecosystems while building science reading comprehension skills in your middle school classroom.
It’s ready when you need it—whether you’re planning a unit, prepping for a sub, or just want students to engage more thoughtfully with science texts with confidence. Aligned with NGSS MS‑LS2‑2, it helps students build the background knowledge they need to explain and compare how organisms interact within different ecosystems.
What’s Included:
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3 engaging, nonfiction reading passages
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3 note-taking templates to guide student thinking
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3 leveled comprehension worksheets with answer keys
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4 task cards for extension or early finishers
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A full lesson guide for easy differentiation
🌎 Topics Covered:
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Terrestrial ecosystems (grasslands, deserts, rainforests)
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Freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers, ponds)
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Aquatic ecosystems (coral reefs, open ocean)
Perfect for use during the Explain phase of the 5E model, this resource supports both independent and small group instruction, helping students make real connections with science content.
📘 Standards Alignment:
MS‑LS2‑2 — Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
This resource helps students develop foundational knowledge of ecosystem types, setting them up for success in understanding ecological relationships and patterns.
What teachers like you are saying about the science readings
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”“This resource was absolutely perfect for when I was out sick with covid for multiple days. The content is exactly what I wanted to cover with my students, easy for a substitute to implement, and I was happy knowing my students’ time was being used productively! Thank you! “- Emily”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”“I have incorporated these into my regular lessons and could not be more pleased. They are thorough, engaging and fun. I am very pleased with this purchase.” Rahim”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”“This was a wonderful and engaging resource. My students were able to take a lot from it, and I loved how easy it was to prep it out. “- Christine”
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Terms of Use
Copyright Adventures in ISTEM, LLC.
All rights reserved by the author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Not for public display.
Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
Adventures in ISTEM is not associated with other brand names, product names, or trademarks cited in this publication, including the Google Drive™ online storage service and Microsoft OneDrive™. The Interactive Digital Flip Book is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Google Inc. Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission. The Interactive Digital Flip Book is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Inc. Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are registered
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