During a two-week inquiry-based 5E learning cycle unit, children made observations and inferences to guide their explorations of animal traits and habitats (Bybee 2014). The children became "animal detectives" by studying a live-feed webcam and digital images of wolves in their natural habitat, reading books and online sources about other animals, and presenting original projects to the class. In third grade, students typically are ready to move beyond local organisms to those of other regions and habitats. A wolf webcam and nonfiction texts helped to broaden the variety of habitats observed and critically examined. Throughout, written and verbal communication deepened children's understanding of key science concepts, practicing Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards. Flexible grouping and differentiated activities supported each child's growth. Children entered the world of animals and emerged as thoughtful, thorough, and confident scientists.