Description
Engage your students in meaningful learning with this Landforms Close Reading Resource, a comprehensive tool designed to support reading comprehension, critical thinking, and science content mastery. Perfect for 3rd–4th-grade classrooms, this resource integrates Science of Reading strategies, and practices, and standards-aligned science content. Whether you’re teaching about mountains, rivers, or glaciers, this resource is ideal for strengthening literacy and fostering curiosity about Earth’s natural wonders.
Key Features
- Close Reading Passages: High-interest, informational texts on various landforms (e.g., mountains, rivers, valleys, islands).
- Text-Dependent Questions: Scaffolded questions to address comprehension at literal, structural, and inferential levels.
- Annotation Strategies: Incorporates “Think Marks” for underlining, circling, and margin note-taking.
- Writing Prompts: Encourage evidence-based writing and critical thinking.
- Visual Supports: Diagrams, captions, and images enhance understanding.
- Differentiated Activities: Tailored for all learners, including English Language Learners and advanced students.
Why Teachers Love It
- Aligned to Standards: Meets CCSS, NGSS, TEKS, and VA SOL requirements for reading and science.
- Easy to Use: Ready-to-print passages and activities save you planning time.
- Supports Science of Reading Research: Focus on decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Versatile Applications: Use for whole group instruction, small group work, or independent practice.
Standards Alignment
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
- RI.3.1 / RI.4.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text.
- RI.3.2 / RI.4.2: Determine the main idea and explain how it is supported by key details.
- RI.3.4 / RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of academic and domain-specific vocabulary.
- W.3.2 / W.4.2: Write informative/explanatory texts with evidence from the text.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- 3-ESS2-1: Represent data to describe weather conditions.
- 4-ESS2-2: Analyze data from maps to describe Earth’s features.
- 4-ESS2-1: Provide evidence of the effects of weathering and erosion.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
- 3.7A / 3.7B / 4.7B: Explore changes to Earth’s surface and the formation of landforms.
- ELA TEKS: Generate questions, use evidence from texts, and interpret visual aids.
Virginia Standards of Learning (VA SOL)
- English 3.6 / 4.6: Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts.
- Science 3.7 / 4.8: Investigate and understand weathering, erosion, and deposition.
How to Use This Resource
- Whole Group Instruction: Introduce landforms using visual aids and conduct read-aloud sessions.
- Small Group Work: Use guided reading strategies to scaffold comprehension.
- Independent Practice: Assign passages for annotation and evidence-based responses.
- Assessment: Evaluate student understanding through written responses and comprehension questions.
Perfect For
- Teachers: Boost literacy and integrate science seamlessly into your curriculum.
- Homeschoolers: Provide high-quality, standards-aligned science content for young learners.
- Interventionists: Support struggling readers with scaffolded, engaging texts.
Transform your classroom and empower your students to become confident readers and Earth science explorers with this Landforms Close Reading Resource. Get started today and inspire a love for learning!
Thank you so much for considering my product and make sure to download the preview to get a sample FREEBIE of this product!
Laura G. – Where the Magic Happens Teaching
© 2025, Where the Magic Happens. Landforms Close Reading Passages- for single classroom use, please purchase multiple licenses (at a discount price) at check-out for whole-grade or school-wide use.
My close reading packs are designed with a clear strategy in mind, great content, aligned to the CCS, and will provide your students with written comprehension practice as well!!
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