Ancient Greek Olympics (Nonfiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What sports events do you think have lasted for thousands of years? Then have students read the passage on page 1, about 210 words in 5 short paragraphs, pencil in hand. They can underline facts as they go. Page 2 has five questions, three multiple choice and two written responses. Ask students to name the paragraph or detail that supports each answer before they write it. Check the work with the answer key.

Ancient Greek Olympics gives 4th grade students a nonfiction passage of about 210 words about the ancient Greek Olympic Games and how they compare with the modern ones, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2. An answer key is included.

Ancient Greek Olympics is a nonfiction passage of about 210 words about the ancient Greek Olympic Games and how they compare with the modern ones. It is written for 4th grade readers (ages 9-10) and has 5 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice vocabulary in context, key details, the main idea and figurative language. Questions include "Which detail shows that the Greeks took the games seriously" and "Why did cities at war agree to a truce". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: What sports events do you think have lasted for thousands of years? Ask students to name one thing they wonder about the topic, then read to find out. Come back to the question after the last paragraph.

Most students need about 20 minutes for the passage and the questions together. The sheet works at a kitchen table with a parent talking through the written answers, or at a reading center as independent work on the main idea and vocabulary in context.