Day
Read Aloud
“Eco Antarctica”
Key Idea Icy Antarctica, at the world’s southern tip, is an important research
7
center where scientists study topics such as earthquakes and climate change. This
unspoiled continent must be protected because it helps us learn about possible
dangers, including the melting of Antarctic ice.
Learning Focus
RI.4.3
Students read closely to explain events, ideas, or concepts in a scientific text, including what
happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
3 minutes
Previewing the Text
Eco Antarctica
Antarctica is a huge frozen continent around the South Pole. It is at the southernmost end of
the world. Antarctica is the coldest, iciest, and windiest place on Earth.
Antarctica is used as an international research center. Scientists from many nations come to
learn about Antarctica’s life-forms and environment.
Research scientists in Antarctica study many subjects. They study earthquakes, gravity, and
magnetic forces. They study oceans, ice, geology, and solar activity. Plant and animal life are also
studied in-depth.
Summer is the best time for research scientists. During the summer, there is plenty of animal
and bird life around the coast. The sun shines all day and night during the summer. In the winter, it
is dark all night and all day, so scientists cannot do so much.
Who’d like to share what we’ve learned so far about Antarctica?
Close Listening to the Text
7 minutes
When I read a scientific text, I pay close attention to specific information in the text. That way
I understand the ideas and concepts the author is presenting and I can explain what I learned.
Before I read more, I want to share what I’ve learned so far. I’ve learned mostly what Antarctica
is and what happens there. Antarctica is a huge frozen continent at the South Pole. It is an
important research center for scientists from many nations, and they study oceans, ice, geology,
and solar activity. Now I’ll read on so we can learn and explain why research at Antarctica is so
important.
Mondo Bookshop Grade 4 • Theme 11 1
There are 40 research bases that are staffed all year in Antarctica. Most of the bases are in
clusters around the edges of the continent. They are in ice-free areas.
Antarctica is very important to the world. Frozen in time and ice, Antarctica holds secrets of
Earth’s past and clues to Earth’s future.
Global warming and climate changes are two main areas being studied. Scientists are worried
about global warming. It could result in the melting of Antarctic ice. If the Antarctic ice melted,
sea levels would rise. This would create major dangers for many coastal countries that could
become flooded.
An idea is a thought, such as “Melting ice could cause ocean levels to rise.” A concept is
a bigger idea that involves many other ideas, such as global warming. For example, some
scientists have ideas about causes of global warming. From what I just read, I learned that
Antarctic scientists are studying the concepts of global warming and climate change. I also
learned their ideas about melting ice and rising ocean levels. Who would like to explain
something they’ve learned from this section?
Keep thinking about ideas, concepts, and why things happen. This will help you explain what
you learned. Listen closely to the next section.
Glaciology is the study of ice and snow. Scientists are giving extra effort to studying the
buildup and movement of ice. The concern about global warming makes this research of great
importance.
Meteorology is the study of the weather. Scientists study Antarctica weather patterns to learn
about how they affect climates around the world. This research is important in learning more
about global warming.
So one thing that happens in Antarctica is that scientists study glaciology, the study of the
buildup and movement of ice and snow. This helps them understand global warming. Who’d
like to share something else they’ve learned in this section?
We learned from the text selection why Antarctica is important. Keep that information in mind
as I read to the end of the selection.
The world’s scientists agree that Antarctic information plays an important role in learning about
the future. It is very important that Antarctica is protected. Antarctica is the last area on Earth that
is unspoiled. It needs to remain unspoiled so that scientists can continue to study and learn.
Discussing the Text
10 minutes
In the last part of the text, I learned about some ideas that are related to the concept of global
warming. I can explain that Antarctic research is important in learning about the future of our
planet. What else did you learn?
2 Ecosystems Are Important
Day
Read Aloud
“Eco Antarctica”
8
LEARNING FOCUSES
RI.4.3, RI.4.5
Students listen closely to explain events, ideas, or concepts in a scientific text, including what
happened and why, based on specific information in the text. Students describe the overall
structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text.
Reflecting on the Text
3 minutes
Let’s review the text I read to you in our last session. Think about what “Eco Antarctica” is
about. Who’ll share their thoughts?
Close Listening to the Text
7 minutes
As I reread “Eco Antarctica,” think about how the text is structured according to causes and
effects. You already know about cause and effect. You might say, “I was late for school because
I overslept.” That’s cause and effect. As I read, think about causes and effects in the text.
Eco Antarctica
Antarctica is a huge frozen continent around the South Pole. It is at the southernmost end of
the world. Antarctica is the coldest, iciest, and windiest place on Earth.
Antarctica is used as an international research center. Scientists from many nations come to
learn about Antarctica’s life-forms and environment.
Research scientists in Antarctica study many subjects. They study earthquakes, gravity, and
magnetic forces. They study oceans, ice, geology, and solar activity. Plant and animal life are also
studied in-depth.
Summer is the best time for research scientists. During the summer, there is plenty of animal
and bird life around the coast. The sun shines all day and night during the summer. In the winter, it
is dark all night and all day, so scientists cannot do so much.
There are 40 research bases that are staffed all year in Antarctica. Most of the bases are in
clusters around the edges of the continent. They are in ice-free areas.
Here’s one cause and effect I just read: scientists come to Antarctica because it’s a place where
they can study many important subjects.
Mondo Bookshop Grade 4 • Theme 11 1
By recognizing cause and effect in the text, we’re able to explain ideas and concepts in the text
as well as what happens and why, using specific text information.
Antarctica is very important to the world. Frozen in time and ice, Antarctica holds secrets of
Earth’s past and clues to Earth’s future.
Global warming and climate changes are two main areas being studied. Scientists are worried
about global warming. It could result in the melting of Antarctic ice. If the Antarctic ice melted,
sea levels would rise. This would create major dangers for many coastal countries that could
become flooded.
Glaciology is the study of ice and snow. Scientists are giving extra effort to studying the
buildup and movement of ice. The concern about global warming makes this research of great
importance.
One cause in this section is concern about global warming, which could bring flooding from
ice that melts and raise ocean levels. One effect of this concern is that scientists study climate
change, especially the buildup and movement of ice.
I’ll read the next section. Notice how recognizing cause and effect helps you explain ideas and
concepts as well as what happens and why in a text, using specific text information.
Meteorology is the study of the weather. Scientists study Antarctica weather patterns to learn
about how they affect climates around the world. This research is important in learning more
about global warming.
What cause and effect did you notice in this section?
How does that understanding help you explain an important concept in this text?
Let’s keep thinking about cause and effect as I re-read the end of the selection.
The world’s scientists agree that Antarctic information plays an important role in learning about
the future. It is very important that Antarctica is protected. Antarctica is the last area on Earth that
is unspoiled. It needs to remain unspoiled so that scientists can continue to study and learn.
Discussing the Text
10 minutes
Who’ll share their thoughts about the most important cause-and-effect relationship that builds
the structure of this text?
Who’d like to add more?
How does understanding cause and effect help you explain ideas and concepts as well as what
happens and why in a text, using specific text information?
As you read other informational texts, pay attention to cause-and-effect structure and how it
helps you understand and explain ideas and concepts.
2 Ecosystems Are Important