Explore Life Cycles!

IntroductionHave you ever planted a garden with your parents? You cover the seeds with soil and water them. A few days later a little green shoot pokes out of the ground. Within weeks, the little green shoot transforms into a flower, vegetable, or fruit.Or maybe you once owned a kitten or puppy. It’s amazing how fast they grow from a tiny little fur ball into a young animal with tons of energy. Before you know it your kitten or puppy is a full-sized cat or dog. You might have also had the sad experience of losing a beloved pet who grew old and died.These are all stages of life. Every living thing goes through them. Together, these stages are called the life cycle.Different creatures go through different changes during their life cycle. For example, a toad begins life as a swimming tadpole before growing into an adult. A butterfly starts out as a caterpillar before transforming itself. A huge oak tree begins life as a tiny acorn that slowly grows over many years. And you start out as a tiny infant!All living things may grow differently, but they all follow the same basic stages of the life cycle.In this book, you’ll explore all these stages. You’ll see how plants and animals go through each stage. You’ll also find out what happens when something disrupts a life cycle—like acid rain or the destruction of habitat.But most of all, you’ll have fun as you tackle projects and activities that explore these ideas. So turn the page and let’s get started with the cycle of life!