These assignments combine reading comprehension and vocabulary definitions in a unique format. Each article is broken up and contains embedded questions. Bold vocabulary words are spread through the article with context clues definitions.

Assignment:

1. Read Article

2. Answer Questions

3. Define Vocabulary words

Included:

GEOLOGY

Composition of the Earth (layers, core, mantle, crust)
Rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, formation)
Minerals (crystals, hardness, luster, composition)
Plate Tectonics (boundaries, movement, plates, convection)
Erosion (weathering, transport, sediment, deposition)
Fossils (remains, imprint, preservation, ancient life)
Glaciers (ice mass, movement, carving, freezing)
Mountains (elevation, peaks, formation, ranges)
Topography (landforms, elevation, contour, surface)
Volcanoes (magma, eruption, lava, vent)
Earthquakes (faults, shaking, seismic waves, epicenter)

WEATHER

Atmosphere (gases, layers, oxygen, pressure)
Climate (temperature, patterns, long-term, region)
Wind (airflow, direction, speed, currents)
Clouds (condensation, vapor, droplets, sky)
Hurricane (storm, rotation, eye, intensity)
Tornado (funnel, rotation, destruction, winds)
Weather Forecasting (prediction, data, radar, patterns)
Tsunami (waves, ocean, seismic, surge)
Ocean Tides (gravity, moon, rise, fall)
Ocean Waves (energy, motion, crest, trough)
Ocean Currents (flow, temperature, circulation, movement)

WORLD BIOMES

Ecosystems (organisms, interaction, habitat, balance)
Desert (dry, arid, sand, limited water)
Grasslands (plains, grasses, grazing, open land)
Savanna (tropical, grasses, scattered trees, wildlife)
Tundra (cold, permafrost, treeless, frozen)
Tropical Rainforest (rainfall, canopy, biodiversity, humid)
Temperate Forest (seasons, trees, moderate climate, leaves)
Taiga Forest (coniferous, cold, evergreen, northern)
Marine (ocean, saltwater, organisms, habitat)
Freshwater (rivers, lakes, streams, low salinity)
Coral Reef (coral, biodiversity, reef, marine life)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Land Pollution (waste, soil, contamination, damage)
Air Pollution (smog, emissions, particles, toxins)
Water Pollution (contaminants, runoff, chemicals, waste)
Ozone Layer (protection, ultraviolet, atmosphere, shield)
Recycling (reuse, materials, waste reduction, process)
Forest Fires (wildfire, burning, spread, destruction)
Global Warming (temperature rise, climate change, greenhouse gases, impact)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable Energy (sustainable, resources, clean, replenished)
Biomass Energy (organic, fuel, waste, energy source)
Geothermal Energy (heat, underground, steam, energy)
Hydropower (water, turbines, dams, electricity)
Solar Power (sunlight, panels, energy, renewable)
Wave and Tidal Energy (ocean motion, tides, waves, power)
Wind Power (turbines, airflow, renewable, electricity)