Solar System Planets: Mercury Reading & Sort Activity Earth Science Center

Welcome to the 5-step Reading Comprehension Series on Planets in our Solar System. Join us as we embark on an exciting journey through the cosmic wonders that surround us.

Let’s begin with Mercury…
In Stage 1, students prepare for the informational text by matching ten key vocabulary words with their definitions, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the text.
In Stage 2, students dive into the informational text, reading it independently or with a partner, small group, or center.
In Stage 3, students are tested on their comprehension with six multiple-choice questions, ensuring that they understand the material before moving on.
In Stage 4, students explore a case study, again reading independently or in a group.
Finally, in Stage 5, students are tested once more with six multiple-choice questions that assess their comprehension of the case study.

This resource contains:

1 informational text
10 essential vocabulary words with definitions
1 case study (The MESSENGER Mission)
12 multiple-choice comprehension questions (6 per reading) complete with answer sheets
Answer strips for students to write their answers on (optional)

This versatile resource is ideal for educators seeking an engaging and effective teaching tool. Additionally, teachers can utilize this resource as an independent work packet, allowing students to work on it individually, or they can provide it to substitute teachers to maintain continuity in learning during their absence.

To ensure that this resource can be used time and time again, we recommend that the texts, assorted vocabulary matches, and comprehension question and answer sheets be laminated for durability. This will help to preserve the quality of the resources, making them a valuable long-term addition to your teaching toolkit.

All the very best!