Description
Dive into the wonders of the ocean with this Ocean Animals Close Reading Resource! Designed to captivate young learners while building critical reading comprehension skills, this resource combines engaging informational texts with evidence-based literacy strategies. Perfect for 2nd to 4th-grade classrooms, this resource supports Science of Reading research and aligns with LETRS comprehension practices, making it an essential tool for integrating science and ELA instruction seamlessly.
Why Teachers Love This Resource
- Engaging Content: Features high-interest texts about sharks, jellyfish, whales, dolphins, and more.
- Aligned with Standards: Meets CCSS, NGSS, TEKS, and VA SOL requirements for both ELA and science.
- Skill-Building Activities: Incorporates text-dependent questions, vocabulary development, and structured writing prompts.
- Flexible Use: Ideal for whole-group instruction, small groups, or independent practice.
- Scaffolded for Success: Includes “Think Marks” for annotation and graphic organizers to support all learners.
Key Features
- Close Reading Passages: Informational texts about fascinating ocean animals like sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and more.
- Text-Dependent Questions: Scaffolded questions target key comprehension phases:
- What does the text say? (Literal understanding)
- How does the text work? (Vocabulary and text structure)
- What does the text mean? (Inferential and critical thinking).
- Annotation Strategies: Guides students to underline key ideas, circle unfamiliar vocabulary, and write margin notes.
- Integrated Writing Prompts: Encourages students to use evidence to support their ideas.
- Standards Alignment: Explicitly aligned with ELA and science standards.
Standards Alignment
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
- RI.2.1 / RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
- RI.2.2 / RI.3.2 Identify the main idea and supporting details.
- RI.2.4 / RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of academic and domain-specific vocabulary.
- W.2.2 / W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts using evidence.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- 3-LS4-2: Use evidence to explain how animal characteristics aid survival.
- 3-LS4-3: Construct an argument on organism survival in specific habitats.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
- Science 3.9A / 3.10A: Investigate environments and structures of animals.
- ELA 3.6B: Use evidence to support understanding of text.
Virginia Standards of Learning (VA SOL)
- English 3.6 / 3.7: Demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts and expand vocabulary.
- Science 3.5: Understand the relationships among organisms in aquatic systems.
How to Use This Resource
- Whole-Class Instruction: Use as read-alouds or close reading passages with guided practice.
- Small Group Work: Reinforce skills in targeted reading groups.
- Independent Practice: Assign passages for individual work with text-based questions.
- Assessment: Evaluate comprehension through written responses and annotations.
Suggestions for Implementation
- Begin with an interactive discussion about ocean animals. Show visuals or videos to engage students.
- Use “Think Marks” to teach annotation and guide students in finding evidence in the text.
- Facilitate group discussions with sentence stems like, “The text says ____, so I think ____.”
- Extend learning with creative projects like dioramas or animal research reports.
Perfect for Teachers Who:
- Want to integrate science and reading comprehension into one engaging lesson.
- Seek high-quality, standards-aligned materials for their classrooms.
- Value resources that support diverse learners with scaffolded strategies.
Inspire a love for the ocean and build essential literacy skills with this Ocean Animals Close Reading Resource. Your students will explore the depths of the sea while mastering critical thinking and comprehension strategies! Add this resource to your teaching toolkit today.
Thank you so much for considering my product and make sure to download the preview to get a sample FREEBIE of this product!
Thank you for considering this resource for your classroom.
Laura G – Where the Magic Happens Teaching
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