Article 001: Axe Body Spray stops school bus! Distance Learning Google Classroom

High-interest reading response / written paragraph activity.

Upload the independent work packet to your Google Classroom for Distance Learning Reading Comprehension in ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS.

This article is about critical thinking.

A middle school student sprays Axe Body Spray on a school bus which forces the evacuation of the bus. Firefighters and EMS are called to the scene. 

IMPORTANT MAY 2, 2022 UPDATE!

• Please don't buy this version: It is an older Google Drive™ resource. I will be deactivating this resource in the future. (If you've already purchased it, don't worry. You will still have access to all of the Google Drive files.)

• Instead, please buy the newer digital download product, which includes the EASEL by TpT digital learning version.

• The newer version is on SALE for a limited time (as I convert my resources to this digital download format.)

• If you purchased this older Google Drive™ resource in the past, please email me at Mike@educircles.org or read this post
  

The critical thinking mini lesson and discuss questions focuses on the idea of being FULL minded. Sometimes, we make a quick decision with limited information. Students are encouraged to:

• Try to fill their minds with high-quality information to make an informed decision.
• Look for facts from opposing points of view to challenge opinions. 
• Be open-minded.

This article comes in 3 differentiated reading levels:

• File 4A. Grade 8
• File 4B. Grade 10
• File 4C. Grade 5

NOTE:

• Reading grade levels are approximate.
• I used Hemingway Editor (http://www.hemingwayapp.com/) to re-write each paragraph for the different grade levels:Hemingway determines the “grade level” of your text using the Automated Readability Index.
• Although there are many different readability formulas that calculate different grades, bottom line is there are 3 different versions of the article.
• EACH BODY PARAGRAPH is numbered. All 3 differentiated versions of the articles contain the same paragraph structure. (So paragraph 1 has the same facts in all three reading levels.)

This package includes: 

• Informational Text article at 3 different reading levels - grade 5, 8, 11 
• mini lesson on critical thinking 
• 3 discussion questions  
• Paragraph response package for brainstorming  
• Reading response rubric 
• NOTE: Answer key not provided as teachers will have different expectations for quality of student writing.

✅ OPTION 1:  DISTANCE LEARNING with GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Create an assignment in your Google Classroom

Attach this link so students can view the slideshow:

• https://educircles.org/present/article-001
• Slideshow includes quick talking points from the article, discussion questions, and a video to watch. 

Create a copy of the reading article for each student (FILE #4)

• There are 3 different reading levels (4a, 4b, 4c).
• Choose the one that is appropriate for your class.
• You can use a higher or lower reading level for students based on ability.
• Students answer the discussion questions directly in the Google Doc 

OPTIONAL: Create a copy of the paragraph response Google Docs (FILE #5) 

• Students fill out the brainstorming graphic organizer (double-entry journal)
• Students write a paragraph to one of the discussion questions

✅ OPTION 2: NO PREP Independent Work Packet

Print the NO PREP PDF (FILE #0)  

• It includes everything you need for this reading article at the middle grade level (Grade 8)
• If you need a different grade level, just print the appropriate PDFs.
  (FILE #4a, 4b, or 4c)

✅ OPTION 3: FACE to FACE Learning / If you want to EDIT the files

• Modify the Google Slides or Google Docs to fit your specific classroom needs.
• Teach using the Google Slideshow (FILE #3)
• Give students a copy of the reading article (FILE #4a, 4b, or 4c)
• OPTIONAL: Give students a copy of the paragraph response (FILE #5)

✅ For more information visit https://educircles.org/article/001

• Slideshow includes quick talking points from the article, discussion questions, and video. 
• Includes links to the references cited in this article.

BONUS READING STRATEGY VIDEO LESSON: 

• This article goes well with the reading comprehensions strategy called ASKING QUESTIONS.
• Here's a FREE YouTube VIDEO for students that explains the strategy. (This way it's easier to teach with DISTANCE LEARNING)
• https://youtu.be/I_4AreWn2_Q

SAVE TIME and MONEY!!! This article is included in a bundle:

✅ Asking Questions Reading Comprehension Bundle

• Asking Questions Reading Comprehension Strategy Lesson
• Article 001: Axe Body Spray stops a School Bus (Critical Thinking) - THIS LESSON
• Article 002: Business Owner Pays it Forward (Citizenship)
• Article 003: Pork Roast Cooked in Car (Creativity)
• Article 004: Airplane Wheel Falls Off (Character)
• Article 005: Rosa Parks - Quiet Courage (Assertive Communication)

ABOUT our Learning Articles

Our 21st Century Learning Articles give you information about an issue that you can discuss with your students.

• The lesson slideshow includes talking points and discussion questions on our Educircles website.
• A student handout package is available for download from our TpT store. 
• This includes printable handouts of the informational text at three different reading levels in PDF and Google Docs format. 
• BONUS: When we publish a new learning article, it can be downloaded for FREE for a limited time to people who subscribe to our email newsletter on Educircles.org - click here for more information

Software Requirements 

This package includes several files in a Google Drive folder. 

• The files are numbered in the order that you need them.
• You need a Google account to be able to add the package folder to your Google Drive

According to TpT’s help documents: 

• TpT will give Buyers an “Add to Google Drive” button. 
• Upon tapping that, TpT will make a unique copy of your file/folder and add it to the Buyer’s Google Drive, so each Buyer has a different link unique to that Buyer.  

This lesson is linked to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as well as the Province of Ontario Language Arts Curriculum.

The preview file shows you screenshot and thumbnail previews of exactly what you get in this product.