Reading Comprehension in Varied Subject Matter Book 1

Reading Comprehension Book 1 includes 31 selections in the following 7 subject areas. A sample passage title is given for each subject area:

Social Studies—Sacajawea
Science—How Rocks are Made
Philosophy, Logic, and Language—Pandora
Combined Subjects—How Insects Communicate
Math—The History of Numerals
Literature—A Different Kind of Home
The Arts—The Art of Creating Cartoons

In each lesson, the presentation of the passage consistently follows the same 7-step format:

• About the Passage—introduces the selection to the reader and activates prior knowledge
• Reason for Reading—explains the reading skill emphasized
• The Selection—thematically organized selections across subject matter.
• Thinking it Over—lists two to three broad questions to be answered in writing
• Studying the Passage—asks questions about the main idea, facts, and sequence, and asks students to draw conclusions, make assumptions, and interpret.
• Using the Words—encourages students to use new vocabulary words in a paragraph
• Writing about It—has students answer questions about the contents of the selection and offer their interpretation or opinion

Skills Addressed:

• Story recall
• Sequencing
• Identifying facts
• Drawing conclusions
• Vocabulary development
• Main idea
• Extending thoughts in writing
• Inference