Power Vocabulary

Ecology
CATALOG #114

WHAT IS POWER VOCABULARY?

ower Vocabulary is a systematic and individualized approach to vocabulary development that enables

teachers to assist students to improve their reading comprehension skills. Power Vocabulary consists of
two word groups specialized and generalusage.

Specialized words label concepts that support subject matter. These words are the technical vocabulary of
a content area that is used only in a particular area. In science, specialized words include biodiversity or
predator. In history, specialized words
include hieroglyphics or chariot.
POWER VOCABULARY CONTENTS
Specialized vocabulary can also be
words we use every day that take on
1 What is Power Vocabulary?
specialized meanings in a particular conHow are the 15 Power Vocabulary words selected from this
Kids Discover title and why should students know them?
tent area. For example, the word bill
2 Word Card Activity Ideas
takes on a different meaning when we
A variety of teaching strategies and great activities students
talk about money (dollar bill or electric
can do with the word cards on pages 36
bill) than when we talk about govern36 Word Cards . . . . . . . .
ment (how a bill becomes a law).
Generalusage words are the words in
our everyday vocabulary that have widely acknowledged meanings and that
hold the content of a passage together.
These words are selected because some
readers may not be familiar with them.
Examples of generalusage words are
morose and diligent.
Fifteen Power Vocabulary words have
been identified for this KIDS DISCOVER
title. Use the word cards or select a few
blackline masters to preview the vocabulary words to help students be more confident and read more fluently when they
come across these new words as they
read. Or use them to review words after
students have read KIDS DISCOVER.

Students can cut out and use these cards to learn more about
the 15 Power Vocabulary words from this KIDS DISCOVER title

78 Dictionary List . . . . .
View the 15 Power Vocabulary words with definitions in one list

9 Crossword Puzzle . . .
In this crossword, the definitions are the clues and the Power
Vocabulary words are the answers

10 Word Find . . . . . . . . . .
Students can focus on the spellings of the Power Vocabulary
words with this word findplus solve a hidden message!

11 Matching . . . . . . . . . . .
Students will match each Power Vocabulary word with its
definition

12 Sentences . . . . . . . . . .
Students will complete each cloze sentence with a Power
Vocabulary word

1316 Answer Keys

Answer keys for the crossword puzzle, word search,
matching, and sentences blackline masters

........................... www.kidsdiscover.com ...........................

KIDS DISCOVER 149 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10010 T: 2126774457 F: 2123538030
KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 1

POWER VOCABULARY
WORD CARD ACTIVITY IDEAS
se the vocabulary cards (pages 36 of this Power Vocabulary
booklet) and the following activities to introduce or review some
Power Vocabulary words students will encounter while reading this
KIDS DISCOVER title.

Personal Dictionary

bizarre
)
(bizar
e
adjectiv

R Moon
ISCOVE
KIDS D
BIZAR
RE: ve
ry

ange o
The
r odd
party
characte was filled with
rs weari
b
ng black izarre
purple ti
masks an
es.
d
How
ever, it
takes C
to comp
ru
ithne 77
lete its
0 ye
bizarre
orbit, w
horsesh ars
hich is
oe
made u
wound
p
of tightl
spirals.
y
(p. 17)
str

Wo r d s Yo u K n o w a n d Wo r d s t o K n o w
Ask students to draw a fourcolumn chart and
label the columns I dont know, Ive seen or
heard, but dont know the meaning, I think I
know the meaning, and I know the meaning. Present each of the words and sample
sentences to students. Ask them to write the
word in the column that describes how well
they know the meaning of the word.

Memory Game
Copy the word and definition pages separately and
cut out the cards. Place all cards face down on a
table and have students play a memory game
by matching the definitions and words.
Students should read the words and definitions
aloud each time they turn over a card to reinforce the pronunciation and definition.
Challenge: Use correction fluid to blank out the
vocabulary words in the sample sentences on
the definition cards.

Matching
Copy the word and definition pages separately and
cut out the cards. Paste the word cards around
the edge of a large piece of tag board. Ask
students to attach the definitions to their
words using clothespins.

Copy the word and definition pages backtoback for

each student. Have students cut out the cards
and place them in alphabetical order.
To create personal dictionaries, staple the cards
together in a flipbook or place them in a file box.
Encourage students to create additional cards for
new words they come across as they read.

N e w Wo r d C a r d s
Have students create their own vocabulary cards
for new words or content words they come
across as they read KiDS KIDS DISCOVER.

S k i m m i n g t h e Te x t
Help students practice skimming skills by presenting them with a sentence or word from the
magazine and the page number where it is
located. (The sentences and page numbers are
both listed on the definition side of the cards.)
Model how to skim the page for the word.
Then present another word and have students
practice skimming the page for that word.
Challenge: Give students a sentence, but not the
page number. Encourage them to skim the
magazine for the appropriate topic pages and
then skim for the word.

Dictionary Skills
Practice dictionary skills by asking students to
find the guidewords on the page where a Power
Vocabulary word is located in the dictionary.
Also, ask students to search for multiple meanings of the word, synonyms, antonyms, and
other parts of speech for the word.

J o u r n a l Wr i t i n g
After working with the words and definitions,
encourage students to use the words when writing essays and in their journals.

Dangling Definitions
On sturdy paper, make enlarged copies of the
word and definition cards printed backtoback.
Punch a hole in the top center of each card and
attach to the ceiling with a string.

........................... www.kidsdiscover.com ...........................

KIDS DISCOVER 149 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10010 T: 2126774457 F: 2123538030
KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

algae

ban

(aljee)

(ban)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

biology

carcass

(byeoluhjee)

(karkuhss)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

carnivore

competition

(karnuhvor)

(kompuhtishuhn)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

factor

gaseous

(faktur)

(gasseeuhss)

noun

adjective

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

ECOLOGY 3

BAN: legal or formal prohibition

The teachers decided to put into effect a

ban on chewing gum in the classroom.

A 1972 ban on DDT and an intensive rescue effort by scientists helped save the
birds. (p. 16)

CARCASS: the body of a dead animal

After a whale dies, its carcass sometimes washes ashore.

Rotting plants and animal carcasses

release carbon dioxide into the air. (p. 8)

COMPETITION: a situation in which two

or more people are trying to get the
same thing

Lucy won the talent competition because

she had a beautiful singing voice.
Competition is in two classes: stock (in
which spending is limited) and open.
(p. 17)

GASEOUS: lacking substance or solidity

Gaseous pollution is any unnatural gas

that is put into the air.
It rises through the air as a gaseous
vapor. (p. 9)

KIDS DISCOVER

ALGAE: small plants without roots or

stems that grow in water or on damp
surfaces

The seaweed and algae depend on the

sun for their energy.

The diversity of life on Earth is astonishing from impala and elephants on land to
plankton and algae in the oceans. (p. 10)

BIOLOGY: the scientific study of living

things

Her favorite class was biology because

she loved to study living things.

Ecology started as a branch of biology.

(p. 2)

CARNIVORE: an animal that eats meat

A carnivore is usually near the top of the

food chain.
Herbivores, in turn, are eaten by carnivores, like snakes, or omnivores, like
bears. (p. 6)

FACTOR: one of the things that help produce a result

Movement of the air is an important factor in keeping the air clean.

It might be global warming, disease,
habitat destruction, pollution, or a combination of all these factors. (p. 16)

ECOLOGY 4

hardy

niche

(hardee)

(nich)

adjective

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

nutrient

perspective

(nootreeuhnt)

(purspektiv)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

rebound

ultimate

(reebownd)

(uhltuhmit)

verb

adjective

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

vital

_________

(vyetuhl)

______________

adjective

_______________

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

KIDS DISCOVER Ecology

ECOLOGY 5

NICHE: a place, position, or situation for

which someone is especially suited

Once Sara found her niche at the new

school, she felt much more comfortable.

HARDY: able to withstand adverse conditions

He was surprised that such hardy pines

that grew in this harsh desert country.

Each plant and animal has its own

unique niche in its community. (p. 13)

Because of the extreme weather, desert

animals tend to be small and hardy,
though some large animalsthrive here.
(p. 4)

PERSPECTIVE: a particular way of looking at a situation

NUTRIENT: something that is needed by

people, animals, and plants to stay
strong and healthy

Anger often changes a persons

perspective of a situation.

But from the planets perspective,

volcanoes are an absolute necessity.
(p. 13)

ULTIMATE: greatest or best

Michael Jordan is considered by many to

be the ultimate basketball player.
Nature is the ultimate recycler (p. 8)

One orange can give a person all of the

Vitamin C nutrient he needs for a whole
day.
When you eat a plant, the nutrients
become part of you. (p. 13)

REBOUND: to recover from setback or

frustration

If anyone can rebound from a bad situation, she told her brave daughter, its
you.
Sea otters have rebounded somewhat,
along with their ecosystems. (p. 7)

VITAL: very important or essential

A good diet is vital to health.

They help recycle rocks and minerals that

are vital for life. (p. 13)

KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 6

Ecology Dictionary List

ALGAE

CARNIVORE

grow in water or on damp surfaces

The seaweed and algae depend on the sun for
their energy.

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Pronunciation (aljee)
Part of Speech noun
Definition small plants without roots or stems that

The diversity of life on Earth is astonishing

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

from impala and elephants on land to plankton

and algae in the oceans. (p. 10)

BAN

Pronunciation (ban)
Part of Speech noun
Definition legal or formal prohibition

The teachers decided to put into effect a ban

on
chewing gum in the classroom.

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

A 1972 ban on DDT and an intensive rescue

effort by scientists helped save the birds. (p.

16)

BIOLOGY

Pronunciation (byeoluhjee)
Part of Speech noun
Definition the scientific study of living things
Her favorite class was biology because she

loved to study living things.

Ecology started as a branch of biology. (p. 2)

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Pronunciation ( karnuhvor)
Part of Speech noun
Definition an animal that eats meat
A carnivore is usually near the top of the food

chain.

Herbivores, in turn, are eaten by carnivores,

like snakes, or omnivores, like bears. (p. 6)

COMPETITION
Pronunciation (kompuhtishuhn)
Part of Speech noun
Definition a situation in which two or more people are trying to get the same thing
Lucy won the talent competition because she
had a beautiful singing voice.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
Competition is in two classes: stock (in which

spending is limited) and open. (p. 17)

FACTOR

Pronunciation (faktur)
Part of Speech noun
Definition one of the things that help produce a

result
Movement of the air is an important factor in
keeping the air clean.

It might be global warming, disease, habitat

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

destruction, pollution, or a combination of all

these factors. (p. 16)

Pronunciation (karkuhss)
Part of Speech noun
Definition the body of a dead animal
After a whale dies, its carcass sometimes

GASEOUS

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Rotting plants and animal carcasses release

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

It rises through the air as a gaseous vapor.

CARCASS

washes ashore.

carbon dioxide into the air. (p. 8)

KIDS DISCOVER

Pronunciation (gasseeuhss)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition lacking substance or solidity
Gaseous pollution is any unnatural gas that is

put into the air.

(p. 9)

ECOLOGY 7

Ecology Dictionary List

(continued)

Pronunciation (hardee)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition able to withstand adverse conditions
He was surprised that such hardy pines that

REBOUND

Because of the extreme weather, desert animals

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Sea otters have rebounded somewhat, along

HARDY

grew in this harsh desert country.

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

tend to be small and hardy, though some large

animalsthrive here. (p. 4)

NICHE

Pronunciation (nich)
Part of Speech noun
Definition a place, position, or situation for which

someone is especially suited

Once Sara found her niche at the new school,
she felt much more comfortable.

Each plant and animal has its own unique

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

niche in its community. (p. 13)

NUTRIENT

Pronunciation (nootreeuhnt)
Part of Speech noun
Definition something that is needed by people,

animals, and plants to stay strong and healthy

One orange can give a person all of the
Vitamin C nutrient he needs for a whole day.

Pronunciation (reebownd)
Part of Speech verb
Definition to recover from setback or frustration
If anyone can rebound from a bad situation,

she told her brave daughter, its you.

with their ecosystems. (p. 7)

ULTIMATE

Pronunciation (uhltuhmit)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition greatest or best

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be

the ultimate basketball player.

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Nature is the ultimate recycler (p. 8)

VITAL

Pronunciation (vyetuhl)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition very important or essential
A good diet is vital to health.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

They help recycle rocks and minerals that are

vital for life. (p. 13)

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

When you eat a plant, the nutrients become

part of you. (p. 13)

PERSPECTIVE
Pronunciation (purspektiv)
Part of Speech noun
Definition a particular way of looking at a situation
Anger often changes a persons perspective
of a situation.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
But from the planets perspective, volcanoes

are an absolute necessity. (p. 13)

KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 8

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Crossword
1

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

Across
2.
8

5.
10

6.
11

8.

12

10.
12.
13

13.
14

14

Down

able of withstanding adverse

conditions
a situation in which two or more
people are trying to get the same
thing
legal or formal prohibition
to recover from setback or
frustration
the body of a dead animal
small plants without roots or stems
that grow in water or on damp
surfaces
something that is needed by people,
animals, and plants to stay strong
and healthy
lacking substance of solidity

one of the things that help produce a result

3. very important or essential
4. a particular way of looking at a situation
6. the scientific study of living things
7. greatest or best
9. a place, position, or situation for which someone is especially suited
11. an animal that eats meat
1.

KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Word Find
Circle each word from the box in the letter grid below. The words are up and down, across,
backwards, and diagonal. Then, going across each row starting at the top left, place each unused
letter on a blank until you reveal the hidden message.

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

A R E
S M A L L
A N I M A L S
T H A T
W H A T
O F F
O F
L A R G E R
H O S T
A N I M A L S ?

L I V E

P A R A S I T E S .
KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Matching
For each vocabulary word in the left column, locate its definition in the right column. Write the
number of the correct definition in the blank before the word.

________ algae

1.

an animal that eats meat

________ ban

2.

the scientific study of living things

________ biology

3.

very important or essential

________ carcass

4.

lacking substance or solidity

________ carnivore

5.

to recover from setback or frustration

________ competition

6.

a situation in which two or more people are trying to get the same thing

________ factor

7.

legal or formal prohibition

________ gaseous

8.

one of the things that help produce a result

________ hardy

9.

something that is needed by people, animals, and plants to stay strong

and healthy

________ niche

10. greatest or best

________ nutrient

11. small plants without roots or stems that grow in water or on damp

________ perspective

surfaces

________ rebound

12. the body of a dead animal

________ ultimate

13. a particular way of looking at a situation

________ vital

14. a place, position, or situation for which someone is especially suited

15. able of withstanding adverse conditions

KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Sentences
Fill in each blank with the word from the box that best completes the sentence.

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.
6.

7.

8.
9.

10.
11.

12.
13.
14.

15.

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

The fish tank was filled with rootless plants called

The vultures swooped down to feed on the

behind by the predator.
A

but weaker hikers cannot.

that had been left

shape in the distance caught her eye, but she could barely see it.

hikers can cross the canyon to the north rim in about three days,

Car owners know that changing the oil is

A
killing prey.

can sometimes be recognized by its sharp teeth and claws for

When Simon went to school, he found out that his

chess club.

was with the

Anna won the gold medal in the gymnastics

In order to become a doctor, a person has to study a lot of

anatomy.
An important

and

in choosing a place for a farm is the water supply.

His experiences with other countries and cultures gave him a worldly
.
Water is an amazing and necessary
There is a

Entire cities are able to

to fix the damage.

His high school had the

region.

KIDS DISCOVER

on carrying concealed weapons into public places.

from disaster when they all work together

football team last year, the best in the

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Crossword
1

F
2

Y
3

V
4

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

E
6

2.

5.

Across

10

11

6.
8.

12

10.

12.
N
13

13.
V
14

14

R
E

KIDS DISCOVER

Down

able of withstanding adverse

conditions
a situation in which two or more
people are trying to get the same
thing
legal or formal prohibition
to recover from setback or
frustration
the body of a dead animal
small plants without roots or stems
that grow in water or on damp
surfaces
something that is needed by people,
animals, and plants to stay strong
and healthy
lacking substance of solidity

one of the things that help produce a result

3. very important or essential
4. a particular way of looking at a situation
6. the scientific study of living things
7. greatest or best
9. a place, position, or situation for which someone is especially suited
11. an animal that eats meat
1.

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Word Find
Circle each word from the box in the letter grid below. The words are up and down, across,
backwards, and diagonal. Then, going across each row starting at the top left, place each unused
letter on a blank until you reveal the hidden message.

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

A R E
S M A L L
A N I M A L S
T H A T
W H A T
O F F
O F
L A R G E R
H O S T
A N I M A L S ?

L I V E

P A R A S I T E S .
KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Matching
For each vocabulary word in the left column, locate its definition in the right column. Write the
number of the correct definition in the blank before the word.

11 algae
________

1.

an animal that eats meat

7
ban
________

2.

the scientific study of living things

2
biology
________

3.

very important or essential

12
carcass
________

4.

lacking substance or solidity

1
carnivore
________

5.

to recover from setback or frustration

6
competition
________

6.

a situation in which two or more people are trying to get the same thing

8
factor
________

7.

legal or formal prohibition

4
gaseous
________

8.

one of the things that help produce a result

15
hardy
________

9.

something that is needed by people, animals, and plants to stay strong

and healthy

14
niche
________

10. greatest or best

9
nutrient
________

11. small plants without roots or stems that grow in water or on damp

13
perspective
________

surfaces

5
rebound
________

12. the body of a dead animal

10
ultimate
________

13. a particular way of looking at a situation

3
vital
________

14. a place, position, or situation for which someone is especially suited

15. able of withstanding adverse conditions

KIDS DISCOVER

ECOLOGY 2

KIDS

DISCOVER

Ecology

HOME,
HOME

IN THE
BIOME

Where Have
All
Flowers Gonethe
?

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

DOMESTI
C

NATURE
CLEAN-US
P
SQUAD

CAT
VIOLEN

CE

Sentences
Fill in each blank with the word from the box that best completes the sentence.

algae
ban
biology
carcass
carnivore
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.
6.

7.

8.
9.

10.
11.

12.
13.
14.

15.

competition
factor
gaseous
hardy
niche

nutrient
perspective
rebound
ultimate
vital

The fish tank was filled with rootless plants called

The vultures swooped down to feed on the
behind by the predator.
A

that had been left

carcass

shape in the distance caught her eye, but she could barely see it.

gaseous

hikers can cross the canyon to the north rim in about three days,

but weaker hikers cannot.

Hardy

Car owners know that changing the oil is

A
carnivore
killing prey.

vital

can sometimes be recognized by its sharp teeth and claws for

When Simon went to school, he found out that his

chess club.
Anna won the gold medal in the gymnastics

was with the

niche

competition

In order to become a doctor, a person has to study a lot of

anatomy.
An important

algae

biology

and

in choosing a place for a farm is the water supply.

factor

His experiences with other countries and cultures gave him a worldly
.
perspective
Water is an amazing and necessary
There is a

Entire cities are able to

to fix the damage.

His high school had the

region.

KIDS DISCOVER

ban

nutrient

on carrying concealed weapons into public places.

rebound

from disaster when they all work together

ultimate

football team last year, the best in the

ECOLOGY 2