Download a Kit B magazine sample (High, Mid, Low)

Grade 4 Kit B: Adaptations/Immigration Magazine
Grade Level High
AMAZING
Did you know. . .?
A polar bear’s fur is
made up of clear, hollow
hairs. The animal looks
white because its fur
reflects and traps light.
Underneath the fur, a
polar bear’s skin is black.
The skin absorbs heat
from the light, and a
thick layer of fat under
the skin called blubber
holds in the warmth.
ATIONS
ADAPT
AMAZING
A polar bear spends
a lot of time in the
water. When under
water, the bear’s
nostrils close, and
the mammal can
hold its breath for
two minutes.
Weathering the Cold
To be adapted to an
environment means an
organism has traits that:
allow it to survive in
its habitat
allow it to produce
offspring that will
likely survive in the
habitat as well
If the species can’t adapt,
it will go extinct.
4
Organisms around the world are adapted to
specific environments. Even in some of the
roughest environments, there are organisms that
have specific characteristics that help them survive
harsh elements. Most animals and plants would
not be able to live in such extreme conditions
without adaptations.
The woolly mammoth,
an ice age animal, had
long black hair and a
thick layer of fat. When
Earth became warmer,
the woolly mammoth
couldn’t adapt and
eventually became
extinct.
Emperor penguins huddle in
masses of thousands to keep
warm. This behavioral adaptation
protects them from frigid winds.
Emperor penguins live in Antarctica,
one of the coldest places on Earth. Special
adaptations allow the penguins to live and
reproduce in the continent’s icy regions.
Layers of fat under their fur hold in body
heat. White and black feathers make it
harder for predators to see them against
the ice, dark skies, and water. Their coat is
greasy, which helps them shake off water
after swimming.
There are also plants that survive in the
cold Arctic. These plants have tiny leaves and
grow close to the ground where they are
protected from damaging, icy winds.
Reindeer moss survives in the
Arctic. It does not have roots.
The surface of the plant takes in
moisture and air, and the plant
can survive without much water.
5
Grade 4 Kit B: Adaptations/Immigration Magazine
Grade Level Mid
AMAZING
Did you know. . .?
A polar bear’s fur is
made up of clear, hollow
hairs. The animal looks
white because its fur
reflects and traps light.
Its black skin absorbs
heat from the light. A
thick layer of fat under
the skin called blubber
holds in the warmth.
ATIONS
ADAPT
AMAZING
A polar bear spends
a lot of time in the
water. When under
water, the bear’s
nostrils close. The
mammal can hold
its breath for two
minutes.
Weathering the Cold
To be adapted means an
organism has traits that:
allow it to survive in
its habitat
allow it to produce
offspring that will
likely survive in the
habitat as well
Species that can’t adapt
will go extinct.
4
There are organisms on Earth adapted to specific
environments. Organisms in some of the roughest
environments have specific characteristics. These
traits help them survive. Most animals and plants
wouldn’t be able to live in such extreme conditions
without adaptations.
The woolly mammoth
roamed the earth during
the ice age. It had long
black hair and a thick
layer of fat. When
Earth became warmer,
the woolly mammoth
couldn’t adapt.
Eventually, it became
extinct.
Emperor penguins huddle in
masses of thousands to keep
warm. This behavioral adaptation
protects them from frigid winds.
Emperor penguins live in Antarctica. This
continent is one of the coldest places on Earth.
Special adaptations help the penguins to live
here. Layers of fat under their skin holds in
body heat. White and black feathers make
it harder for predators to see them against
the ice, dark skies, and water. Greasy
coats help the birds shake off water after
swimming.
There are also plants that survive in the
Arctic despite the cold. These plants have tiny
leaves and grow close to the ground. These
adaptations protect them from damaging,
icy winds.
Reindeer moss survives in the
Arctic. It does not have roots.
The surface of the plant takes in
moisture and air, and the plant
can survive without much water.
5
Grade 4 Kit B: Adaptations/Immigration Magazine
Grade Level Low
AMAZING
Did you know. . .?
A polar bear’s fur is
made up of clear, hollow
hairs. But the animal
looks white. This is
because its fur reflects
and traps light. Its black
skin absorbs the heat
from the light. A thick
layer of fat under its skin
called blubber holds
in heat.
ATIONS
ADAPT
AMAZING
A polar bear spends
a lot of time in the
water. When under
water, the bear’s
nostrils close. The
mammal can hold
its breath for two
minutes.
Weathering the Cold
To be adapted means
to have traits that aid
survival. Special traits
also allow an organism
to produce offspring.
Adaptations ensure that
the offspring will likely
survive in its habitat.
Species that can’t adapt
will go extinct.
4
Organisms around the world are adapted to their
environments. Organisms in some of the roughest
environments have specific characteristics.
These traits help them survive. Most animals and
plants would not be able to live in such extreme
conditions without adaptations.
The woolly mammoth
lived during the ice age.
It had long black hair
and a thick layer of fat.
When Earth became
warmer, the woolly
mammoth couldn’t
adapt. Eventually, it
became extinct.
Emperor penguins huddle in
masses of thousands to keep
warm. This behavioral adaptation
protects them from frigid winds.
Emperor penguins live in Antarctica. It is
one of the coldest places on Earth. Special
adaptations allow the penguins to live and
reproduce here. Layers of fat under their
skin trap body heat. White and black
feathers make it harder for predators to
see them against the ice, dark skies, and
water. Their coat is greasy. This helps them
shake off water after swimming.
There are also plants that survive in the
cold Arctic. These plants have tiny leaves. They
also grow close to the ground. This adaptation
protects them from damaging, icy winds.
Reindeer moss survives in the
Arctic. It does not have roots.
The surface of the plant takes in
moisture and air. The plant can
survive without much water.
5