Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Imagine you are in a NASCAR race. The race is about to begin!
You climb into your car through the window. You sit down and strap on your harness. Your car is shaped like a regular car, but it is waaay more powerful.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images (Nascar); Shutterstock.com (Formula 1)
NASCAR or Formula 1
Two kinds of car racing rule the world. Both are lightning fast, but they are pretty different. So buckle up, grab your steering wheel, and decide: Which kind of racing would you rather do?
By Meg Richardson
From the October/November 2024 Issue
Learning Objective: Students compare and contrast two short, parallel nonfiction articles.
Lexile® measure: 440L
Featured Skill:
Compare Two Texts,
Vocabulary: harness, lap, sleek
Topic:
Social Studies,
Common Core Standards
TEKS Standards
NASCAR Rules!
The Race
You start your engine and drive in a line with the other cars. A green flag is waved. That means GO! You zip around the oval track hundreds of times. Wow!
The Finish Line
Logan Riely/Getty Images
You see a white flag.
That means there is only one lap left. You zoom to the finish line. You won! Go get your trophy!
Formula 1 Rules!
Peter J Fox/Getty Images
Now imagine you are in a Formula 1 race. It is starting any second.
You climb into your car through the top. You lean back in your seat. The car is sleek and low to the ground. That helps it go super fast. You strap on your harness.
The Race
You wait on the starting line. You see five red lights. When they turn off, that means GO! You zoom forward. The course has many twists and turns. Each course is different. Pay attention!
The Finish Line
Clive Rose/Getty Images
It’s the last lap. You see a checkered flag. You cross the finish line. The crowd goes wild. You won the race! Way to go!
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Skills Activities
Answer Key
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Skills Activities
Answer Key
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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Implementation
- Small group; whole group; independent reading
Pairings and Text Connections
- From the Storyworks 2 archive:
“Go, LEGO® Car!” (September 2023)
Students can learn about a race car made out of LEGO® bricks. They can compare the cars in the paired texts to the LEGO® car.
“Go, LEGO® Car!” (September 2023)
Students can learn about a race car made out of LEGO® bricks. They can compare the cars in the paired texts to the LEGO® car.
Before-Reading Resources
- Text Preview Bookmarks
(10 minutes) Students can cut out the nonfiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.
- Compare and Contrast Video
(5 minutes) Watch a video to help students develop their compare and contrast skills.
- Play the Vocabulary Slideshow
(5 minutes) Familiarize students with vocabulary they will see.
(10 minutes) Students can cut out the nonfiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.
(5 minutes) Watch a video to help students develop their compare and contrast skills.
(5 minutes) Familiarize students with vocabulary they will see.
Suggested Reading Focus
Comprehension, nonfiction text features (30 minutes)
- Read the NASCAR side. Note how the subheads tell what the text will be about. Next read the Formula 1 side. Ask students which car they would rather drive!
After-Reading Skills Practice
(15 minutes for each activity)
- Quiz: Comprehension check
- Letter to Nosey: Students can write to Nosey about which kind of race car they would rather drive. You can email their letters to nosey@scholastic.com. She will write back!
After-Reading Video
(5 minutes)
- Watch the short video “NASCAR and Formula 1” to help students experience the excitement of these two types of car races.
Text-to-Speech