Mars Fiction & Nonfiction Unit - Mazes - Reading Comprehension - Space

This MARS UNIT combines a nonfiction reading passage with fun MAZES to solve. Read it before or after reading A Rover's Story to build background knowledge.

The no-prep novel study for A Rover's Story, about a rover's construction and mission to Mars, includes vocabulary and reading comprehension skills in manageable chunks for your students.

The informational passage explains about different rovers that NASA has sent to Mars. It's perfect as a stand-alone piece or to build background knowledge.

✅ This is perfect for ELA and SCIENCE teachers! Use this to help your students improve their reading. No prior knowledge is needed. Just print and go with these NO PREP activities.

Clear student directions make this unit easy for students to work on independently. Leave it with a substitute teacher and your students will keep reading the text to better understand the characters, science, STEM, and informational text.

The NO PREP complete novel study guide provides everything a teacher needs to get your students READING, DIGGING DEEPLY INTO TEXT, and MEETING READING STANDARDS along the way!

✅ A Rover's Story NOVEL STUDY FOR THE TEACHER:

• Teacher notes, video guide, and lesson plans
• Printable Student packet with QR codes for digital links to videos for a reading comprehension refresher or lesson
• Literary analysis pages
• Text-dependent questions to help students support evidence
• Extension activities and rubrics
• Answer key with answers to every question including sample responses for all open-ended questions

✅ A Rover's Story NOVEL STUDY FOR THE STUDENT:

• Student packet to work through while reading the book
• Background knowledge-building videos from NASA to help students more easily understand difficult concepts
• Reading comprehension questions that require thoughtful analysis and reinforce skills
• Video links to help students keep working independently
• Extension activities to enhance learning and deepen understanding

✅ HOW TO USE MY NOVEL STUDY GUIDES

1. Print all the pages and have students read independently and complete the pages by themselves (except where directions suggest partner or group work.)
2. Read the book aloud to your class. Print all the pages and have students complete the activities independently, with a partner, or in small groups.
3. Pick and choose! Print some of the pages to differentiate for students' needs. Students can work on different pages and then come together to share what they have learned.

✅ PLANET MARS FOR THE TEACHER:

• Clear directions for reading and engaging with this passage
• PDF version of the passage if you want students to mark it
• 20 fill-in-the-blanks questions that activate the mazes, which require a rereading of the passage
• Self-scoring maze activity, so students get immediate feedback
• Optional open-ended question
• Two rubrics
• Answer key with sample response
• Skills used: reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem-solving, and if desired, peer collaboration

✅ PLANET MARS FOR THE STUDENT:

• Interesting passage about NASA's recent explorations of our closest neighbor
• 20 fill-in-the-blanks questions that activate a digital maze activity
• The first maze must be correctly answered to open up the second maze.

✅ HOW IT WORKS:

• Students read the provided reading passage about exploration on Mars
• They read the passage as a PDF
• Using text evidence, they mark their responses on paper and hey answer each question online
• As they correctly answer each question, the maze begins to open
• Once all the questions are correctly answered, students use a code to lead them to the next maze.

✏️ How to Use it in Your Classroom:

• Unit Activity for Science or ELA
• Nonfiction passage to accompany a fiction piece
• Stations
• Sub Plans
• Reward time

✅TAKE A LOOK AT THE PREVIEW to see the components that make up this great bundle.

CUSTOMER TIPS:

I greatly appreciate your ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ feedback! And you build points to use towards FREE TPT purchases!

Let's Stay Connected

Click HERE to receive FREE classroom resources as well as ELA tips, book reviews, and ways to blend learning from Mentoring in the Middle.

Questions or Comments?

Feel free to e-mail me at marion@mentoringinthemiddle.com

Earn TpT credits to use for future purchases!

1. After you log in, go to the "My Purchases" page and download this product. Use it, then go back to the "My Purchases" page. You'll see a "Provide Feedback" button. Click on that, rate the product, and leave a comment. It's that simple!

2. Do you want to be the first to learn about discounts, free and new products? Click on the GREEN STAR next to my logo on my store page to follow me!