Naturally Selected to Survive
Changes in the Ecosystem and their Impact on Populations
6-8 Grade Band Text Set
Line of Inquiry: In this text set, students will build knowledge about changes to physical/biological
components of an ecosystem and how it affects populations through empirical evidence. The anchor
text, Naturally Selected to Survive, is an article that discusses the impact of the natural changes in the
earth’s climate over time and how this change impacts the ecosystem. The set of readings includes
selections on species affected by ecosystem changes and overall environmental impact of the existing
species, including humans.
As there are a rather large number of texts in this set, consider assigning some of the lower-Lexile Read
Works texts for independent reading as you design a unit of instruction. To check for understanding of
these independent readings, included in all of the Read Works texts are short text-dependent questions
for students to answer. When implementing the unit be mindful of the increase in Lexile levels and how
to support the variety of levels in your classroom.
Anchor Text
1090L Naturally Selected to Survive
By: Michael Stahl
Text Type: Informational
Stahl, Michael. “Naturally Selected to Survive.” ReadWorks. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www2.leon.k12.fl.us/lcs_elem_curriculum/Reading%20Passages%20%20Meeting
%20Common%20Core%20%205th%20and%206th/6th%20passages-naturally-selectedsurvive_files.pdf>.
This anchor text focuses on the changes to the ecosystem over time and its impact
on the species within. The author discusses major changes in the ecosystem,
Darwin’s theory and how the patterns and scientific arguments have shaped the
understanding of the earth’s events. The anchor text provides a strong base of
understanding and theory bridging the other readings within the set.
1080L The Eco Pyramid
By: Michael Stahl
Text Type: Informational
Stahl, Michael. “The Eco Pyramid.” ReadWorks. N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://www.qlovi.com/store/readworktask/3888>.
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A discussion about ecosystems and the interplay between living and nonliving
things within an ecosystem and an explanation of consumers and producers is
given in this article. In this set, this article lays the foundation for the next few
articles about how humans have affected the cycle of consumers and producers.
1200L Buzz Off: Can Bioengineering Mosquitoes Stop the Spread of Tropical Diseases?
By: Kirsten Weir
Text Type: Informational
Weird, Kirsten. “Buzz Off: Can Bioengineering Mosquitoes Stop the Spread of Tropical
Diseases?” ReadWorks. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1010_buzz_off.pdf >.
This article discusses the controversial process of genetically engineering mosquitoes in order to
stop the spread of tropical diseases. In this set, this article highlights the work that some people
are doing to help stop the spread of disease through mosquitoes.
1070L A Fall in Horseshoe Crabs Leads to a Drop in Shorebirds
By: Miami Herald, adapted by Newsela staff
Text type: Informational
“A Fall in Horseshoe Crabs Leads to a Drop in Shorebirds.” Newsela. N.p., 29 April 2014.
<https://newsela.com/articles/horseshoe-crabs/id/3671/>.
Less horseshoe crabs means less food for shorebirds. Humans have contributed
to a drop in horseshoe crabs in a variety of ways.
1170L Artificial Selection: How Humans Can Sway Nature
By: Susan E. Matthews
Text Type: Informational
Matthews, Susan E. “Artificial Selection: How Humans Can Sway Nature.” ReadWorks, N.p., n.d.
Web. <https://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1170_artificial_sel
ection_how_humans_can_sway_nature.pdf>.
This article highlights how humans have interfered with the process of natural
selection in the plant and animal worlds.
1175L Seeing the Invisible: Mutualism and Plant Reproduction
By: ReadWorks
Text Type: Informational
“Seeing the Invisible: Mutualism and Plant Reproduction.” ReadWorks, N.p, n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1175_seeing_the_invisible_mutualism
_and_plant_reproduction.pdf>.
This article highlights the symbiotic relationship between plants and
insects.
1180L Are the Everglades Forever?
By: ReadWorks
Text Type: Informational
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“Are the Everglades Forever?.” ReadWorks, N.p, n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1180_are_the_everglades_forever_0.
pdf>.
This article highlights the biodiversity of the Everglades and the problems that
are being experienced because of humans’ involvement.
1220L Wetlands and Habitat Loss
By: Elaine Mao
Text Type: informational
Mao, Elaine. “Wetlands and Habitat Loss.” ReadWorks, N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1220_wetlands_and_habitat_loss_0.p
df>.
The importance of wetlands, the habitat they provide, and the growing problem of disappearing
wetlands are addressed in this article.
1280L The Key to Life
By: ReadWorks
Text Type: Informational
“The Key to Life.” ReadWorks, N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1280_the_key_to_life_0.pdf>.
Biodiversity and the interplay between animals and their environment are highlighted in this
article, as well as how humans have impacted this symbiotic relationship.
1380L A Brave New Climate
By: Edward I. Maxwell
Text Type: Informational
Maxwell, Edward I. “A Brave New Climate.” ReadWorks, N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1300_a_brave_new_climate.pdf>.
Global warming and its effects are discussed in this article.
1160L Farm Animals Being Bred to Adapt to Earth’s Warming Climate
Source: Los Angeles Times, adapted by Newsela
Text Type: Informational
https://newsela.com/articles/farm-climatechange/id/3899/
This article highlights that as a result of humans harming the environment, scientists are
scrambling to create animals for our food supply that are bred to adapt to global warming.
1350L Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern
By: Alissa Fleck
Text Type: Informational
Fleck, Alissa. “Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern.” ReadWorks, N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.readworks.org/sites/default/files/passages/1350_worldwide_loss_of_bees_a_gro
wing_concern_0.pdf>.
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This article highlights the ways that humans have contributed to the disturbing
trend of the death of bees, which in turn will affect our food supply.
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