High Interest Close Reading Passages for 4th and 5th Grade Informational Text

Hoping to increase student engagement during your reading block this year? These highly engaging non-fiction passages will be an absolute hit with your students! The 5 weird and interesting informational texts will keep students engaged while practicing close reading skills. Students will do a close read with each passage, answer 10 multiple choice questions, then use graphic organizers to show what they’ve learned.

These engaging reading comprehension passages, questions, and graphic organizers are the perfect way to connect literacy to science. These high-interest passages will absolutely increase student engagement, while also increasing student achievement!

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Informational Text Topics (of Set 1):

• What is earwax?
• Why do we bruise?
• A sprain or a broken bone?
• Why do we poop?
• What are boogers?

Weird and Interesting Non-Fiction Texts and Activities Set 1 Includes:

• 5 Non-Fiction Texts
• 10 Multiple Choice Questions for Every Text
• Teacher Tips
• Questions to Ask Students
• Close Reading Steps on a Bookmark

Version with “Annotate the Text” and Version with “Mark the Text”

• How to Mark the Text Bookmark
• How to Annotate the Text Bookmark
• Answer Keys
• 7 Graphic Organizers:

1. Main Ideas with Text Evidence

2. Ideas with Text Evidence

3. Central Ideas with Details

4. Main Idea with Details, Main Idea, Details, Conclusion

5. KWL

6. Overview: Topic, Author’s Purpose, Key Vocabulary, Most Important Thing,

I wonder, Important Facts, Illustration

7. Context Clues (3 versions: 3 words, 4 words, 5 words)

Spark a love of science with these high-interest reading passages.  A great way to meet multiple standards with one activity.

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Ideas for Use:

• Whole Group Instruction
• Partner Practice
• Guided Reading Groups
• Substitute Plans
• Send Home to Practice
• ELA Work Stations or Centers
• Assessment

Close Reading: A reading strategy that is used to comprehend and analyze a text closely. Students will typically read the text at least twice for comprehension, details, analysis, and deep questioning of the text’s purpose and meaning.

Steps for Close Reading:

1. Read the Text
2. Mark Up the Text or Annotate the Text
3. Read the Text Again
4. Define Unknown Words
5. Read the Text Again
6. Respond to Reading

Copyright © Chloe Campbell

Permission to copy for single classroom use only.

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