Connect Reading and Writing

Vocabulary

  • classified

  • endangered

  • environment

  • extinct

  • illegal

  • pollution

  • population

  • species

Critical Thinking

  • 1. SUM IT UP Use the Visualization Chart you created to sum up the main ideas in “A Natural Balance.”

    Visualization Chart

    Words in the TextMy Own ExperiencesWhat I Visualize
    HIPPO: The first letter stands for habitat loss—such as clearing forests where animals live.A new mall was built near my home. My mom and I saw deer wander into a parking lot.I picture a forest being cut down and animals having to move on.

  • 2. Speculate How might the future change if certain plants and animals become extinct? Use examples from the text.

  • 3. Conclusion Populations of wildlife can be classified as “endangered” or “threatened.” Why is the difference important?

  • 4. Interpret Are the speaker of the poem “In My Dreams” and the author of “A Natural Balance” hopeful about the environment? Explain.

Reading Fluency

Intonation Read the passage on page 646 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

  • 1. I read

    • a. great

    • b. OK

    • c. not very well

  • 2. What I did best in my reading was ____.

Reading Strategy

Visualize

Share the Visualization Chart you made with a partner. Tell how the strategy helped you.

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

In Washington, there are now very few pygmy rabbits, a special type or ______ of rabbit. Once, there were thousands, but now the ______ is decreasing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has ______ the pygmy rabbit as ______. It is ______ to hunt it. Air and water ______ are not the main problems. Instead, the rabbit is losing its natural ______. This animal is in danger of becoming ______.

Written Review Imagine you are a scientist working to save endangered species. Write a brief report to describe the problems and suggest a solution. Use five vocabulary words.

Illustration of the pen icon Write about the Guiding Question

Explore Our Valuable Environment

In your opinion, why is the environment so valuable? Reread the selection to find information that supports your ideas.