The Human Heart (Nonfiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What do you feel in your wrist or neck when you press gently? Then have students read the passage on page 1, about 240 words in 5 short paragraphs, pencil in hand. They can underline facts as they go. The second page asks five questions. Have students mark the sentence that proves each choice, then write the two responses in complete sentences. Check the work with the answer key.

The Human Heart gives 4th grade students a nonfiction passage of about 240 words about how the human heart pumps blood around the body, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and making inferences, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2. An answer key is included.

The Human Heart is a nonfiction passage of about 240 words about how the human heart pumps blood around the body. 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, making inferences, the main idea and the order of events. Questions include "While you sleep, your pulse is probably" and "Why does your pulse speed up when you run". 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 do you feel in your wrist or neck when you press gently? 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.