Name: _______________________________________________________

Science Journal
 Grade Level Passages
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Use this table of contents to find the on-grade-level passages for
each activity in the Informational Text Science Journal!
ü PAGES 1-3: Acoustical
Instruments
ü PAGE 4-6: Electric Cars
ü PAGE 7-8: Aurora Borealis
ü PAGE 9-11: Self-Driving Cars
ü PAGE 12-13: Bay of Fundy
ü PAGE 14-15: Can You Hear Me
Now?
ü PAGE 16-18: Cave Food
Pyramids
ü PAGE 19-21: Childhood Obesity
ü PAGE 22-24: Cloning Extinct
Species
ü PAGE 25-26: Creatures from the
Deep
ü PAGE 27-28: Dinosaur Sue
ü PAGE 29-30: Exoplanet Hunter
ü PAGE 31-32: Exotic Animals
ü PAGE 33-35: Flying High
ü PAGE 36-37: Forensic Science
ü PAGE 38-39: Fossil Formation
ü PAGE 40-41: GMOs
ü PAGE 42-43: Hawaiian Hot
Spots
ü PAGE 44-45: Zombie Brains
ü PAGE 46-48: Inherited Traits
ü PAGE 49-50: Inmate Firefighters
ü PAGE 51-52: Keep Austin Batty
ü PAGE 53-55: Lifecycle of
Salmon
ü PAGE 56-57: Mapping the
Ocean Floor
ü PAGE 58-59: Mars: The New
Frontier
ü PAGE 60-62: Microhabitats
ü PAGE 63-65: Monarch Butterflies
ü PAGE 66-67: Neil Degrasse
Tyson
ü PAGE 68-70: Use it or Lose It
ü PAGE 71-72: Rainforest
Medicines
ü PAGE 73-74: Becoming an
Astronaut
ü PAGE 75-76: Super Athletes
ü PAGE 77-79: Surviving Lightning
ü PAGE 80-81: Killer Whales
ü PAGE 82-84: The Power of Likes
ü PAGE 85-86: Hurricane Harvey
ü PAGE 87-88: Water Pollution
ü PAGE 89-90: Where Does Your
Trash Go?
ü PAGE 91-92: Where Does Your
Water Come From?
ü PAGE 93-94: Yellowstone
TEXT ANNOTATION
Use the following directions to annotate each of the texts in this journal.

Draw an arrow pointing at any words, phrases, or paragraphs that help

the reader identify something new about the topic presented.

Draw a triangle next to or around any words you do not know.

Then, look up the definition of the word. Write it in the margin or in
your notes for future reference.

Draw a star next to any significant quotes. In the margin or in your

notes, write WHY you believe the quote is significant to the passage.

Draw a rectangle around the part of the passage that BEST represents
the author’s main idea. In the margin or in your notes, explain why.

Draw a circle around any use of figurative language. In the margin or in

your notes, explain how the figurative language impacts the passage.

Place a sticky note next to any part of the passage that you do not
understand. Write a specific question on the sticky note for class discussion.

Highlight ONE quote that stands out most to you. In the margin or in
HIGHLIGHT your notes, explain why this quote made such an impact on you.

UNDERLINE Underline any EXAMPLES the author provides about the topic.

CROSS OUT Cross out any information that is irrelevant to the topic, if any.

© The SuperHERO Teacher, 2018

 Cornell NOTE TAKING
Your name: _____________________________ Class: _____________ Date: ____________
Title of article: _________________________________________________________________
Topic of article: ________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS: NOTES ABOUT THE ARTICLE:

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SUMMARY:
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electric Cars
Wouldn’t it be great if there were only positives reviews about every new product on the
market? It would make decision-making so much easier. However, that is hardly ever the
case, especially in innovative technologies. As an example, let’s look at the electric car
and see what case can be made for both sides of this issue.

We’ll first discuss the advantages to EVs (Electric Vehicles). Cars fueled by petroleum
products have an internal combustion engine. This makes them more expensive to
operate because they have: exhaust systems, oil to change, and higher maintenance
costs. The first advantage of an electric car is the cost per mile to fuel it (2 cents per mile)
compared to one run on petroleum (12+ cents per mile). Secondly, electric cars don’t
have a tailpipe to give off air polluting emissions. This is a positive for the environment.
Thirdly, EVs can be plugged into an electrical socket in your garage. They don’t require fill
ups at the gas station. Next, if you’ve even ridden in an electric car or bus, you know they
are very quiet and ride smoothly. They accelerate quickly, and you’re off in no time.
Additional advantages of an electric car are that you may get a tax credit on a new car,
and it’s possible that you may have a shorter commute time. Electric car drivers
sometimes have access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane even with no extra
passengers.

The advantages all sound too good to be true, so why aren’t we all driving electric
vehicles? First, they don’t have the same range (100+ miles) as a gasoline driven car (300+
miles). You must plan your trips carefully in case there is no charging station in the area in
which you are traveling. Additionally, it can take much longer to refuel an electric car
compared to a quick stop at the gas pump. You must remember to plug it in before you
go to bed. Thirdly, electric cars are expensive.
As more EVs are developed and as more charging
stations become available, this cost will decrease.
If you’ve even been to a regular car lot, you know
there are a variety of sizes, colors, models, and
brands from which to choose. This is not yet true
with electric cars. If you want a sleek looking
fancy car or a suburban, then electric cars may
not be for you. If futuristic is your thing, then you
might be satisfied with an EV.

There you have it. If you make lots of money,

travel short distances, like the futuristic “look”,
want to help the environment, and like a quiet
smooth ride, then the electric car may right up your alley.
Maybe you should at least wait until you have your driver’s license to decide.

4 © Kesler & Wheaton, 2018

electric Cars
Deciding to purchase an electric vehicle may not be an easy decision. There are
many advantages and disadvantages to your purchase.

We will first discuss the advantages to EVs (Electric Vehicles). Cars that use gasoline
have an internal combustion engine. This makes them costly to run. They have
exhaust systems, oil to change, and higher costs to operate. The first advantage of
an electric car is the cost per mile to fuel it (2 cents per mile). A gasoline powered
car is more expensive (12+ cents per mile).

Secondly, electric cars don’t have a tailpipe. They don’t give off as many air-
polluting discharges. This is a positive for the atmosphere. Thirdly, EVs can be
plugged into an electrical outlet in your garage. They also don’t require fill ups at
the gas station. Next EVs are very quiet to operate. They speed up quickly, and
you’re off in no time.

Additional advantages of an electric car are that you may get a tax credit on a
new car. It’s also possible you may have a shorter commute time. Electric car
drivers sometimes have access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes even
with no extra passengers.

The advantages all sound too good to be true. Why aren’t we all driving electric
vehicles? First, they don’t have the same range (100+ miles) as a gasoline driven
car (300+ miles). You must plan your trips carefully in case there are no charging
stations on your route. It can take much longer to refuel an electric car compared
to a quick stop at the gas pump. You also must remember to plug it in before you
go to bed.

Electric cars are costly. The cost will go down as

more EVs are made and more charging stations
become available. There are lots of options with
gasoline powered cars. They come in a variety
of sizes, colors, and models. This is not yet true with
electric cars. Your options are somewhat limited.

There you have it. If you like the options that EV’s
offer, then it may be the type of car for you. You
should probably wait until you get a license to
decide.

3 © Kesler & Wheaton, 2018

 Electric Cars
Answer the
questions below
based on the article
about electric cars.

Comprehension QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between an electric vehicle and those with a combustion
engine?
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2. What distance can an electric vehicle go before a new charge is needed?
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3. What does the difference in travel cost with an electric vehicle versus a combustion
engine vehicle?
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4. What are some advantages of an electric vehicle?
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5. What are some disadvantages of an electric vehicle?
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6. Electric vehicles are limited in size and color. Why do you think this is so?
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7. Why would an electric vehicle be allowed to travel in the high occupancy vehicle
(HOV) lanes with only one driver?
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Mini-PROJECT: DIY ROAD TRIP

DIRECTIONS: You and your friends are planning a road trip for spring break. You are
renting an electric car to save on travel costs. Before you take off on your vacation, you
must map out a route and determine where the charging stations are. For this
assignment, you must develop a route that highlights a minimum of three charging
stations.
1. Determine your destination for spring break.
2. Create a route that has AT LEAST
three charging stations (there can be more).
3. Draw your route on the paper provided.
Be sure to include the specific address and
location of each charging station, too!

5 © Kesler & Wheaton, 2018

 Electric Cars
Draw your road map &
route for your spring
break vacation! Be sure
to include at least three
charging stations.

start

end

6 © Kesler & Wheaton, 2018