How to Use the Theme Slideshow The Theme Slideshow is a useful and engaging tool to introduce your class to the unit. The slideshow touches on the Big Idea questions for the unit. It can be used to prepare students for the unit by building background and academic language on topics that they will read about. Before you begin a new unit, show the Theme Slideshow to the class. Direct students to listen carefully to the audio as they look at each slide. (Note: if you click while the audio is playing, the audio will stop. Simply click the audio icon in the upper left corner to start the audio again.) Pause the slideshow as needed to allow students to comment or ask questions about what they are seeing. Provide sentence starters containing the academic words listed to engage students in conversations about the visuals and audio. Explain to students that they will learn more about these topics as they read the stories in the unit. As you begin each week of the unit, you may wish to show the Theme Slideshow again as a means of reviewing the weeks you have completed, and of preparing for the week to come. This is a great opportunity to add new learning and research findings to the Big Question Boards. The Theme Slideshow can also be used at the end of the unit to sum up learning and as a prompt for writing about the unit. For additional video clips related to the theme, go to www.macmillanmh.com. Select the California Treasures site, then in the Teacher area click the “Student Activities” button and select the Big Question Multimedia link. * * * * * How do animals and plants change as they grow? In this unit, we will learn about the ways plants and animals develop. We will read about animals that change a lot as they grow, such as a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. We will also learn that plants change in many ways, too. You will read about a tiny seed that slowly grows and matures into a beautiful flower. Think about what you already know about plants and animals. What do they need to grow big and strong?

How do plants change as they grow?

fertile sprout thrive In The Tiny Seed, you will read about a small seed that searches for a fertile place to land. Unless the tiny seed finds the perfect spot, it will never sprout and begin to grow. You will find out exactly what the tiny seed needs to thrive in its new environment.

What do people grow in gardens? What is needed to grow a garden?

ripe abundant scrumptious In The Ugly Vegetables, you will read about a little girl and her mother who plant a garden full of unusual plants. When the vegetables in the garden are ripe, the girl and her mother harvest the abundant crop. You will find out what scrumptious dish they create with their special vegetables.

How do we learn about animals that lived long, long ago?

ruthless research immense In Meet the Super Croc, you will read about a ruthless ancient crocodile. You will find out that scientists did special research to figure out when this immense crocodile lived and what it liked to eat. You will also find out where you can go to see the Super Croc’s fossils today.

How do animals change as they get older?

develops mature In Farfallina and Marcel, a gentle caterpillar and a baby goose become close friends. When Farfallina disappears and develops from a caterpillar into a mature butterfly, Marcel is lonely and misses his friend. Only time and patience will help these friends find a solution to their problem.

How do wild animals change and learn to live in their habitats?

encounters located reacts In Nutik, the Wolf Pup, you will read about a young boy named Amaroq who encounters a beautiful wolf pup named Nutik. You will learn about life in northern Alaska, located near the Arctic Circle. You will also find out how Amaroq reacts when it is time for Nutik to return to his wolf pack.

What do you know about how plants and animals change as they grow What do you know about how plants and animals change as they grow? Think about some animals that you know or have studied. How do these animals change in appearance or behavior from the time they are babies to the time they are adults?