Help students develop their reading comprehension skills and scientific understanding with this plastic pollution reading comprehension worksheet. Science literacy and reading comprehension is very important to include into our science curriculum in order to ensure our students become globally aware citizens. To be able to read science articles on diverse topics, and draw meaning and understanding from them is an essential skill that students should develop throughout their schooling years. This skill will have a significant impact on students ability to be globally aware citizens.

This plastic pollution worksheet reading comprehension lesson contains an informational text about plastic pollution and explains the plastic problem including the sources of plastic pollution, dangers of plastic waste, how to reduce it and the future of plastic. Following the plastic pollution reading comprehension passage, students will answer a series of text-based comprehension questions as well as some more critical thinking short-answer questions.

Why use the plastic pollution worksheet reading comprehension lesson?

• It is low prep! Just print and go or use the digital resource activity in Google slides.
• It is differentiated. It comes with three different levels of reading passage and questions.
• It is perfect to have on hand for when you have to leave an emergency sub lesson.
• Can be used in a wide range of teaching environments including the traditional classroom, distance learning, online learning, homework or for sub lessons.
• Can be used for a wide range of subjects including earth day, earth sciences, general science, geography, etc
• Teacher answer key is included.

This plastic pollution worksheet reading comprehension passage is designed for middle school students and high school students in 7th grade, 8th grade and 9th grade and it comes with 3 differentiation options.

Format: printable pdf file.

Understanding plastic pollution is crucial for students for several reasons:

1. Environmental Awareness: Learning about these topics fosters environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility for the planet. Students can understand the impact of their actions and human activity (such as plastic consumption) on the environment and make informed decisions.
2. Critical Thinking: Studying plastic pollution and impacts encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can analyze complex environmental issues, evaluate evidence, and propose solutions.
3. Future Preparedness: Pollution is a pressing issue with significant implications for the future of the earth. By understanding the causes and effects of plastic pollution and its effect on different environments including marine environment, students can be better prepared to adapt to and mitigate its impacts for future generations.
4. Informed Citizenship: Knowledge of plastic pollution empowers students to become informed citizens who can participate in discussions and decision-making processes related to plastic trash.
5. Career Opportunities: A strong understanding of these topics and the human impact on the earth can open up career opportunities in fields such as environmental science, marine biology, study of microplastics etc.
6. Personal Impact: Students can learn about ways to take personal action to reduce their own impacts of plastic pollution by considering their use of plastic items. This type of lesson is great to pull at student's heart strings by showing them how everyday items such as plastic bottles and plastic bags can impact marine life and marine animals.

Developing student skills in reading comprehension is the job of every teacher. Using science articles for reading comprehension is the perfect reinforcement of these skills while helping students develop in their scientific knowledge and understanding.