Polar Bears and Melting Ice (Nonfiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: How might a warmer climate change the way an Arctic animal hunts? Then have students read the passage on page 1, about 230 words in 5 short paragraphs, pencil in hand. They can underline facts as they go. Next comes page 2: three multiple choice questions and two written responses. Before writing, students should find the evidence that supports their thinking. Check the work with the answer key.

Polar Bears and Melting Ice gives 4th grade students a nonfiction passage of about 230 words about how melting sea ice makes life harder for polar bears, 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.

Polar Bears and Melting Ice is a nonfiction passage of about 230 words about how melting sea ice makes life harder for polar bears. 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, the main idea and cause and effect. Questions include "The black skin under a polar bear's fur helps it" and "Why does the passage say that walking and biking can help polar bears". 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: How might a warmer climate change the way an Arctic animal hunts? Let students skim the title, then read once for the gist. A second pass with a pencil helps them mark the facts they need.

Set aside roughly 20 minutes. Families can use it for a calm reading session, and teachers can use it as homework, a center or a short formative check of the main idea and vocabulary in context.