How to Celebrate Earth Day While Boosting Close Reading Skills
Students who regularly practice close reading grow as readers, learning to analyze texts carefully and think critically. As they transition from learning to read to reading to learn, upper elementary students are expected to strengthen not only their reading comprehension skills but also their critical thinking and vocabulary skills.
Close reading asks students to go beyond the surface level of the text where they explore and discuss the author’s intent and the significance of key details in the text. Students benefit by not only gaining confidence as readers but in their ability to express their own interpretations and insights.
Engaging students in close reading activities requires them to be active in their learning. They highlight key ideas, make notes in the margins, ask questions, and interact with their classmates about the text.
Close reading lessons are more effective when teachers use resources specifically designed for close reading practice. I designed nonfiction close reading resources specifically to allow you to practice important nonfiction reading skills in your upper elementary classroom.
And because I know how precious your time is, I’ve intentionally made these resources low prep. Simply print and go to have a full week of ELA lessons.
These non-fiction seasonal close reading resources allow students to celebrate school holidays while practicing important reading skills. In the rest of this post, I’m going to walk you through my Earth Day close reading resource and how you can put it to use in your upper elementary classroom.
Components of the Close Reading Resource
The Earth Day close reading resource includes five days' worth of close reading, written response, vocabulary, and center activities for third, fourth, or fifth grades. There’s no need for you to dedicate additional prep time to these lessons.
This comprehensive resource includes:
Leveled, non-fiction passages to engage your students at their level.
Close reading practices to provide students with ample opportunities to practice their close reading skills.
Writing response prompts that further student understanding of the text and practice crucial writing skills.
Bonus materials include story images, vocabulary words, and activity grids.
How You Can Use This Resource with Your Upper Elementary Students
This nonfiction close reading resource can be used in a number of different ways with your students.
1. Practicing close reading skills
This one is obvious. Use this resource with your students to directly and intentionally practice these close reading skills. It can be used for whole group instruction, in small groups to provide remedial support, and in centers and stations for extension and review activities.
2. Emergency sub resource
Life happens. And when it does, you don’t always have sub plans prepared in advance. This resource is a lifesaver! Lesson plans are already included in the resource. Since the units all follow the same format, students will be familiar with the routine and will be able to work independently or in pairs. Instead of being expected to teach new concepts while you’re out, the sub can simply monitor students’ work.
3. Homework or test review
Each unit contains at least one week’s worth of homework. Simply print it and go. This is perfect for students who will be out for an extended period of time due to illness or a family vacation. Each packet covers multiple ELA skills, so you can be confident those students are getting what they need while they’re away from the classroom. These units are also excellent resources for test prep since they’re review work that doesn’t feel like review work!
The Benefits of Using Close Reading Units
I talked about the benefits of close reading and how it can help your students become stronger, more engaged readers. Now let’s talk about the benefits of close reading units and how they can help save you time and deliver more effective ELA instruction.
Close reading units:
Save time and require little to no prep.
Are versatile and adaptable.
Allow for differentiated instruction, allowing you to meet the needs of all of your students.
Provide comprehensive coverage of nonfiction reading and writing skills.
Contain engaging and relevant themes students enjoy.
Provide a variety of activities and materials.
Allow students to become self-starters. Teach one unit and students are able to transfer that learning to the next unit.
Tips for Successful Implementation
I designed these resources, but they’re for you to use in your classroom. So let’s talk about how you can implement them in your classroom in a way that best serves you and your students.
1. Adapt it to suit your students’ needs
You can use the resources exactly as designed, but you don’t have to. After all, you know your students best and you know what they need. You can take a close reading unit and decide to focus on certain skills your students need to spend more time on. Adjust the pacing or modify the activities based on your students’ abilities and interests.
2. Look for opportunities to connect
Connect the unit to other topics or use the materials to supplement or enhance your existing lessons. Using a close reading strategy on a social studies text could encourage students to engage with the material on a deeper level.
3. Encourage collaboration
Close reading encourages students to work together. This can foster a sense of community in your classroom as students develop important teamwork and communication skills. Collaboration makes learning more engaging and enjoyable for students.
4. Assess progress and provide feedback
When you regularly check in with students and discuss their work, you are able to identify areas where they need additional support or guidance.
What Teachers are Saying about the Close Reading Resource
So many teachers have successfully used these close reading units in their upper elementary classrooms. Not only are their students engaged in valuable learning, but they are also spending less time and effort planning! Here’s what some of those teachers had to say.
“Thank you for the wonderful activity. It is a ‘MUST HAVE!’" - Kassidy F.
“I really loved the options for the writing activities, my students got so creative while writing!” - Ashley M.
“Love this mini-unit! It was engaging for the students and well mapped out for the teacher.’ - Jennifer B.
“Thank you for making my life easier!!” - Gate H.
“My kids LOVED this! Thank you for such a comprehensive resource!” - Coffee R.
“Fabulous resource that we used in March! It also helped the students to have more "I wonder..." that they could then research.” - Kathryn S.
Your students can celebrate holidays and practice nonfiction reading skills!
This Earth Day close reading unit allows you to celebrate what makes Earth Day special while still providing students with the rigor of instruction they need.
I’ve designed units for other holidays and seasons that you and your students will enjoy:
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