Practice comparing and contrasting details in informational text with a reading passage about whales. It explains the ways that fish and whales are similar, as well as the ways they are different, and specific characteristics of various types of whales.

Concepts

whales, ocean habitats, marine life, reading comprehension, compare and contrast, informational texts

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Include in a reading homework packet or assessment
• Use in an interdisciplinary activity between earth science and language arts
• Have learners note the differences between whales and fish as outlined in the passage, and prompt them to summarize what they have learned

Classroom Considerations

• Font is a little small
• The passage contain a lot of text, which may be difficult for struggling readers

Pros

• Questions address a variety of reading skills
• Encourages the use of context clues for unfamiliar words
• Subject matter is interesting for young scientists and marine biologists
• Provides an answer key

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.5.1 RI.5.2 RI.5.3 RI.5.4