Everglades Guardians Worksheet
Science & Social Studies IEP Guided Reading
Everglades Guardians
Name:
Date:
Reading Mission: Read each chunk carefully. Pay attention to the highlighted words. Stop at each checkmark to review!
1 The River of Grass
Florida, USA
The Florida Everglades is a giant, shallow wetland. Fresh water slowly moves through miles of sawgrass like a wide, slow river. Many animals call this place home, including alligators, manatees, and colorful birds. It gives millions of people clean drinking water every day.
Quick Stop 1: The Everglades is a giant wetland that provides fresh water and homes for animals.
2 A Hero for Nature
Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Long ago, people wanted to drain the water to build houses, roads, and a noisy airport. A brave writer named Marjory Stoneman Douglas knew this would harm nature. In 1969, she started a group called Friends of the Everglades to protect the land from pollution and destruction.
Quick Stop 2: Marjory started Friends of the Everglades to protect the wetlands from being ruined.
3 Friends of the Everglades Today
Still Protecting
Today, the Friends of the Everglades work with scientists and leaders. They make sure fresh water keeps flowing south to protect the entire ecosystem. When people care for water, they help both wildlife and people thrive.
Quick Stop 3: Clean, flowing water keeps all plants, animals, and humans healthy.
Vocabulary Helper (Words to Know)
Wetland
Land covered by shallow water (swamps or marshes).
Protect
To keep something safe from harm or danger.
Ecosystem
Living things and their habitat working together.
Sawgrass
A tall wetland grass with tiny, sharp edges.
Friends of the Everglades • Leveled Reading Passage Turn to Page 2 for Questions →
Everglades Guardians • Student Questions
Name:
Part 1
Multiple Choice • Circle the best answer
1. What kind of habitat is the Florida Everglades?
A A dry desert
B A shallow wetland
C A snowy mountain
2. Why did Marjory Stoneman Douglas start Friends of the Everglades in 1969?
A To build a giant airport
B To drain all the fresh water
C To protect the land and wildlife
Part 2
Vocabulary Fill-In • Use the Word Bank
Word Bank:
wetland ecosystem protect
1. The Everglades is a grassy full of fresh water.
2. Marjory wanted to the animals from pollution.
3. Plants and animals live together in a healthy .
Part 3
Guided Writing • Complete the sentences
Write 2-3 sentences
Prompt: Why is it important to protect the Florida Everglades?
Sentence Starter 1: It is important to protect the Everglades because...
Sentence Starter 2: If people help keep the water clean, animals will...
My Writing Checklist:
Capital letter at start Finger spaces between words Period at the end (.)
Friends of the Everglades • Student Response Sheet Page 2 of 2
