FREE Science Reading Comprehension Passages
What is Reading Comprehension?
Reading comprehension is one of the most crucial skills that your students will learn. It is the ability to not only read, but understand, process, and recall what is read. A child who is proficient in reading comprehension will construct meaning from both narrative and expository text structures. Narrative texts, which usually tell a story, are frequently introduced to young readers. Expository texts (non-fiction text that give facts and information) should be given to children just as often. We feel so strongly about this, that it prompted us to create science reading passages that can be easily incorporated into any Kindergarten & First grade curriculum. We will share some of these with you in just a bit – but first, let’s talk about why reading comprehension instruction is so important.
Why Should I Teach It Everyday?
The simple answer to this question is that reading comprehension is EVERYWHERE! It is vital for succeeding in all academic areas. In math, children read word problems to solve an equation. In science, they read and learn facts about plants, animals, our solar system and much more! Same goes for social studies, where students gather information about important leaders and events throughout history. In all these examples, students need to understand what is written and process the information in the text. Being able to read fluently is always at the forefront when we talk about helping children to read. It’s the UNDERSTANDING component that is so important to their academic success across ALL subjects.
Merging Reading Comprehension with Science Instruction
We often hear from so many teachers that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to incorporate science into their already bursting curriculum expectations! We want to help teachers explore a variety of science topics while allowing students to also work on their reading comprehension skills. With that in mind, our readers cover LIFE, EARTH and PHYSICAL science topics. After your students read each short passage, they will complete a simple comprehension activity that directly relates to what they have read. Read them together as a class, in groups, or independently depending on the reading level of your students. These printables are also perfect for homeschool learning environments! In this freebie, we have 3 science readers (that are part of a larger bundle) for you to try with your class. This way, you can see if the passages are a good fit for you and your students.
Tips for Success
Check for Understanding: Ask questions while reading. Don’t wait until the very end. Check in by having students summarize what they are learning as they read.
Use Graphic Organizers: Venn Diagrams, story maps and KWL charts are great for tracking understanding of specific topics!
Encourage Questions: Give students the opportunity to ask questions before, during and after reading. Also, have them make connections and compare text to things they are familiar with.
Be Patient: Building reading comprehension takes time! Sticking to daily practice will strengthen their ability to grasp concepts and understanding of various texts.
Click on the download button below to grab your science reading passages. We hope your students have fun learning as they read them and completing the comprehension activities!
Love this and looking for more reading comprehension activities? Check out our Science and Social Studies MEGA BUNDLE!
While you’re here, read about and download more FREE science activities that are perfect for Kindergarten and First Grade.
