Nonfiction High School Reading Passages

I took a writing course that focused on nonfiction because this is what magazines are interested in. I was told fiction is fun but nonfiction sells. The main focus was how to make nonfiction interesting. This is easy because nonfiction is often fascinating by itself.

My second high school reading bundle is full of nonfiction articles and questions to engage your high school students.

Engaging Reading Articles Included:

• Smoothies

Teach about the history of Smoothies while stretching critical thinking skills.

• The History of Playing Cards

A historical peek into the world of cards.

• Coronavirus and Other Pandemics

COVID-19 and diseases of the past help develop reading skills through discussion questions and writing prompts.

• Racism

Contains issues related to racism, particularly in terms of black lives. 

• Drawing Conclusions on the Topic of American History

Find eight drawing conclusions reading passages with questions concerning people, events, or procedures related to American history. 

• Reading Passage with Questions on COVID Safety

Activity allows for class discussion on safety concerns surrounding COVID.

• Bonus Resource

Writing Satire

If you want some fascinating articles, check out my second Reading Passages for High School Bundle!

Thanks for reading!

Joyce

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🎃 Ready for Halloween?

 

Happy October!

Read about my inspiration behind this story.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Middle-School-Ghost-Story-Halloween-Grade-7-Reading-Passage-Grade-6-Reading-ELA-6788947

Back before Covid, I was a tour guide for Historical Haunts. I would dress in my Victorian gown and guide guests through the haunted areas of downtown Memphis. 

As I explained on our tour, we may not be the most haunted city, but we certainly are the most cursed.  

This was due to the Chickasaw Tribe being angered by Hernando DeSoto, who brought European diseases to their tribe, such as Smallpox and venereal disease. Explorers were rarely nice to natives.

Everything from Memphis to the northern areas surrounding her has been cursed from then to forevermore. We had a nasty bout of Yellow Fever, a miserable boat wreck from the Sultana, and recently, many of our trolleys caught fire.

As a tour guide, I visited several ghosts, but my favorite has always been Claude Pugh! Now, you and your kids can read about him for only a dollar! This spunky ten-year-old ghost has a lot of personality, as told in his story and my author's note. 

This high-interest, no-prep reading passage includes:

• 5 Page Story
• Author Notes
• 6 Vocabulary Words
• 4 Additional Vocabulary Words
• Vocabulary Fill Ins
• 9 Discussion Questions
• 4 Short Writing Prompts
• 2 Research Questions
• Print, link to Google, or use on Easel
• Complete Answer Key Included

If you purchase this story, I promise it won't disappoint!

Look at this . . .

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Logic-Puzzles-5th-Grade-Brain-Teaser-Games-Wizards-Math-Logic-Puzzles-2790762

This resource started as a Harry Potter pack, but due to copyright, I changed it to a Wizards Puzzle Pack. Unfortunately, I didn't write the Harry Potter books. Nonetheless, this is a fun brain teaser pack that my kids enjoyed when I was still in the classroom.

Inside this no-prep resource, you'll find:

• 5 Logic Puzzles
• Enrichment Writing Prompts for Early Finishers
• 2 Sudoku Puzzles
• Chop Logic Challenge
• Chop Logic Writing Page
• Bonus item Math
• Printable Worksheet
• Google Link
• Easel Access
• Complete Answer Key

Thanks for Reading!

Joyce

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Dog Rescue

Dominique's
original photo

A couple of weeks ago, I found a gorgeous dog at the shelter who was scheduled to be euthanized at 7:00 the next morning.  She had a few notes on her profile and a shelter profile picture, which did not do her justice. To make matters worse, the notes were not positive! The shelter suggested she be placed in an adult-only home because she had "growled" at someone, and she was not eligible to be fostered through the shelter, due to high fear, anxiety, and stress. (FAS) Why a FAS dog cannot be fostered makes no sense to me!

Upon our first meeting, the odds of getting her out of the shelter seemed slim to none. As I approached her cage, Dominique and her sister Flo barked ferociously. Usually, when I get that kind of reception, I back off. I gingerly placed my hand for her to smell, in which she momentarily stopped barking only to start again. However, I noticed a wagging tail, so something possessed me to move forward and open the cage. Somehow, I got Dominique out, without Flo darting down the hall, and brought her outside.

Once outside, I saw a beautiful and loving animal!

Dominique - video links

Dominique is a true love dog, and her videos got a lot of traction. By day's end, she had almost $600 in pledges and a rescue commitment. The rescue ended up taking both her and Flo. I drove the ladies to meet their foster about an hour and a half out of Memphis. 

This woman, who will foster both animals, only has 28 dogs: eleven are indoor dogs, three puppies, and she has multiple other animals, such as cats, on her farm. Why does she have so many? She falls in love with them and foster fails. I get that, because we still have Kumquat.

The fosters have changed Flo's name to Angelique and fluffed them up with a professional grooming session. Aren't they gorgeous?

Dominique is on the left and Flo (Anqelique) is on the right.

I tell this story because rescue has become a part of my life, and the positive stories keep me going. Seeing dogs I love die is the worst! 

I have a new realistic fiction story based on another dog whom I helped find a home for. I changed a lot in the story to protect the owner's identity and add a new element, bullying. I have no idea if the owner was bullied, but I do know she had a beautiful, acne-free face! 

If one kid in a teacher's class adopts a shelter dog, my job is done. Unfortunately, I will never know unless a customer tells me it happened.

Click the picture or here to find Rescue Both of Us at my store on TpT. Plus, if you buy it before tomorrow morning, you can get it at half price! Here is a little bit about it.

$2.73

$5.45

SAVE 

$2.72

Build reading comprehension skills with this delightful, realistic fiction story about a bullied middle schooler's encounter with a lovable dog. This original reading passage comes complete with vocabulary words, high-level reading comprehension, research, and point of view questions, plus an answer key. The engaging story is based on real events at an animal shelter.

Use this story and questions for literacy groups, reading centers, whole or small group activities, partner or independent work, emergency sub plans, or homeschool for grades 5 - 7. Quick and easy setup makes this a win for you and your students.

Inside this no-prep activity, you'll find:

• Reading Passage ~ 6 pages
• 16 Vocabulary Words Matching
• Vocabulary Fill-ins
• 7 Reading Discussion Questions
• 4 Research Questions
• Point of View Questions
• Answer Key
• Printable PDF. File
• Link to Google Slides
• Easel Worksheets

Please check out my resource at Catch My Products, and thanks for reading Catch My Words!

Joyce

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What Really Happened? Columbus Day

They say, "History is told by the victors." This is true because many of us grew up respecting a villain whose harsh actions were overlooked in history books. We were taught in 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue and became the great hero who discovered America. Little did we know about his harsh treatment of the Taino Native Americans. 

In my historical fiction story, grades 7 - 9, you can teach your kids about the reality of Columbus as Columbus Day marks the calendar. A young boy narrates the tale of his people's demise as he witnesses his tribe taken over by Columbus and continues the tribe's story as a man.

This historical reading passage comes complete with vocabulary words, critical thinking discussion questions, research question writing prompts, and an answer key. Use as a printable or digital resource.

 This reading activity is great for use in whole or small group activities, partner or independent work, in centers, or emergency sub plans for grades 7 - 9 and homeschool. Quick set up gives you everything you need for an engaging class experience whether around Columbus Day or any time of year.

Check out this historical fiction reading passage for Columbus Day!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christopher-Columbus-Reading-Comprehension-Passage-Columbus-Day-Reading-12979099

September 11

Certain events in life get burned into our brains in a way that we will never forget. For example, I remember working in the college newspaper office when Reagan got shot, on the phone when I learned my father had died, and teaching in the computer lab on September 11, 2001, the unbelievable day that gripped our nation. Similar to the kid in my story, I was a teacher with my fourth graders who witnessed a crying assistant running through the room, which was a common crossway between halls.

The assistant stayed with my students while I left for the library where I found multiple teachers and staff members huddled around a TV set watching an airplane fly into one of the Twin Towers. Then, to make matters worse, we spotted a second plane flying too low to miss the other one.

Being in Memphis, I did not have students pulled out of the classroom to mourn loved ones, but that was not the case for my niece's future husband. His story about his dad was the impetus for my 9-11 story.

Through my fictional character, I told the story of the fate of those in the Twin Towers of New York City. As with my character, Josh's personal story had a better ending for him, although terrible for many others.

You can teach about 9/11 with this no-prep historical fiction reading passage and questions based on real events from September 11 or Patriots' Day through 9/11 worksheets. This historical fiction story comes complete with vocabulary words, discussion questions, a research question or writing prompt, and an answer key. Teaching is a breeze with my easy use reading passage that is available in print or as a digital resource. Best for grades 4 - 7.

Inside this engaging, print and go historical fiction story, you'll find:

• 4-page Historical Fiction Story
• 1-page Epilogue and Author's Note at the End of the Story
• 15 Vocabulary Words
• Enrichment Vocabulary Word Sentence Prompt
• Vocabulary Sentence Matching
• 7 Discussion Questions
• A Research Question
• Complete Answer Key
• Printable PDF. file
• Link to Google Slides
• Easel Worksheets

If you are unfamiliar with my writing, check it out with this sample from the story.

I felt the air escape from my lungs as if I’d just been punched in the gut. My dad’s office was on the 80th floor of the North Tower. He was a heavy man who suffered from Diabetes. In his poor shape, I felt certain he’d have trouble climbing down eighty flights of stairs to leave the building. “Could he have taken the elevator down to the lower floors and gotten out?”

Read what teachers, like you, have said about this September 11 Reading Passage.
Awesome Blossoms
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I loved this and we used it for our reading the week of 9/11. It was easy to add questions and ideas that I needed to cover. My kids were captivated by the story."

Erine A.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Just what I need for my kids to understand what happened before they were born."

Click here to go to TpT and find my historical fiction story about September, 11th.

Thanks for reading,

Joyce

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🌟 Custom Made Logic Puzzles for YOU!

I'm onto something new that I've wanted to try for years, but some people tell me I'm crazy for doing this. When I taught gifted and talented, I often made my own logic puzzles that used my students' names and whatever topic we were studying. The kids loved seeing themselves in my puzzles! It was always fun, so why not offer this to other teachers? I'm starting off with a three-grid puzzle for a total of twelve boxes. The more boxes, the harder it is to make, so I figure this should be doable.

I'm also giving myself a month from order to finish these,  but hopefully, I can complete them sooner. I'm selling these puzzles for $4.45, but from now until August 27 (Wednesday),  I will offer them for only $2.23 each. What a bargain! Read about my custom made brain teasers below, and if interested, send me an email at jlanskyATcomcastDOTnet. Like always, thanks for reading.

Enjoy logic puzzles, which are unique to YOUR class, with custom made logic puzzles or brain teasers (made to order) for building critical thinking skills. Your kids will be excited to find their names in your assignment, along with a topic of study, and any other private or personal information from your class. This logic puzzle contains what you need to engage your students! Plus, with a blank puzzle included, you may change out the names of your students each year for more fun!

This unique product is perfect for whole or small group activities, centers, partner or independent work, or substitute teachers, but you may want to be with your kids to see their reactions to a personalized activity. This 3-grid logic puzzle is perfect for upper elementary students or grades 3 - 5. Administrators could also have fun making a puzzle for teachers at a faculty meeting!

Inside this easy use download, you'll find:

• An order form to get your puzzle

The logic puzzle will be completed within a month (or less), and you will get:

• 1 custom made logic puzzle
• Blank puzzle for future use
• Enrichment writing prompt at the bottom of the puzzle
• Complete answer key
• Pdf. file
• Link to Google Slides

Bonus: I will send you a copy of your puzzle without names, so you may update it for each year or class!

The uses for this sort of puzzle are endless, whether you want a fun game for a party, a new way to cover a topic, to make an announcement, or any other idea you can think of!

Kids or adults will love seeing themselves in a personalized puzzle!

Prep is quick and easy . . . Just print or pull up on a computer, and you are ready for a fun and engaging class experience!

Read what teachers, like you, have said about logic puzzles from Catch My Products.

SCP

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Absolutely love your logic puzzles! You are a wizard Harry! Thank you brilliant as usual!"

Jade C

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "There is a variety of types of puzzles, which makes it fun for the students. I am using it as part of my remote learning problem-solving/STEAM lessons. Even though the answers are provided, I like to do the puzzles. Boy, it is a great mental exercise. I love Joyce's products! You can always count on high quality."

Tiffany S. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"This was a great & challenging resource for my homeschoolers to work on. It helped them improve their critical thinking skills! Fun challenge for everyone!"

These puzzles are great for building skills in making inferences from written text. Also, find great practice for developing critical thinking through writing.

If you're kids have never done logic puzzles, check out this How to Solve Logic Puzzles blog post.

My custom made logic puzzle is listed on TpT.

Thanks for reading!

Joyce

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