4th grade nonfiction passage about how zippers work: 188 words, six questions, an answer key and vocabulary.
4th gradenonfictionhow zippers work188 words
The Zipper's Hidden Wedge
A zipper looks simple, but it is a clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth. Every tooth has a bump on one end and a little pocket on the other. When a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together.
The part you pull is called the slider. Inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider up, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, and they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider down, the same wedge slides between the teeth and pushes them apart. That is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows. They keep the slider from sliding right off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds tight. Yet it opens with one smooth pull. That is why you find zippers on jackets, backpacks and tents.
Questions
What runs along each side of the zipper tape? in the text
What is the part you pull called? in the text
What does the wedge do when you pull the slider down? in the text
What do the stops at the ends of the rows do? in the text
Why does a zipper hold tight? in the text
Why might a zipper fail to close if one tooth is bent? think about it
Words to know
teeth
the tiny pieces on a zipper that lock together
slider
the part of a zipper that you pull up and down
wedge
a piece that is thick at one end and thin at the other, used to push things apart
lock
to fit together so tightly that the pieces stay joined
stops
small pieces that keep something from going too far
Name ____________________________ Date ______________
The Zipper's Hidden Wedge
4th grade reading passage
A zipper looks simple, but it is a clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth. Every tooth has a bump on one end and a little pocket on the other. When a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together.
The part you pull is called the slider. Inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider up, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, and they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider down, the same wedge slides between the teeth and pushes them apart. That is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows. They keep the slider from sliding right off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds tight. Yet it opens with one smooth pull. That is why you find zippers on jackets, backpacks and tents.
Questions
What runs along each side of the zipper tape?
What is the part you pull called?
What does the wedge do when you pull the slider down?
What do the stops at the ends of the rows do?
Why does a zipper hold tight?
Why might a zipper fail to close if one tooth is bent?
Words to know
teeth: the tiny pieces on a zipper that lock together
slider: the part of a zipper that you pull up and down
wedge: a piece that is thick at one end and thin at the other, used to push things apart
lock: to fit together so tightly that the pieces stay joined
stops: small pieces that keep something from going too far
Free at teach.peabody.kids/passages/4/zippers-hidden-wedge
Share
One passage, three levels
The same topic and facts written three ways, so a mixed class can read and talk about one text. Each group’s sheet shows only a shape; the key says which is which.
● Easier · 102 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 1
A zipper is a smart machine. Each side has a row of tiny teeth. Each tooth has a bump and a small pocket. A bump fits into a pocket. Then the teeth lock.
You pull the slider to close the zipper. Inside the slider is a wedge. It pushes the teeth together. They lock, one by one.
Pull the slider down. The wedge pushes the teeth apart. Then the zipper opens.
At the ends are small stops. They keep the slider on the tape.
The teeth lock side by side. So a zipper holds tight. It is on jackets, bags and tents.
▲ This passage · 188 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.1
A zipper looks simple, but it is a clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth. Every tooth has a bump on one end and a little pocket on the other. When a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together.
The part you pull is called the slider. Inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider up, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, and they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider down, the same wedge slides between the teeth and pushes them apart. That is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows. They keep the slider from sliding right off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds tight. Yet it opens with one smooth pull. That is why you find zippers on jackets, backpacks and tents.
■ Harder · 210 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 8.7
At first glance a zipper seems simple, but it is actually a remarkably clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth, and every tooth has a bump on one end and a small pocket on the other. Whenever a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together firmly.
The part that you pull is called the slider, and inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider upward, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, so that they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider downward, the very same wedge slides between the teeth and forces them apart, which is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows, and they prevent the slider from sliding completely off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds extremely tight, and yet it opens with a single smooth pull. That combination explains why zippers appear on jackets, backpacks, tents and many other things we use every day.
A zipper is a smart machine. Each side has a row of tiny teeth. Each tooth has a bump and a small pocket. A bump fits into a pocket. Then the teeth lock.
You pull the slider to close the zipper. Inside the slider is a wedge. It pushes the teeth together. They lock, one by one.
Pull the slider down. The wedge pushes the teeth apart. Then the zipper opens.
At the ends are small stops. They keep the slider on the tape.
The teeth lock side by side. So a zipper holds tight. It is on jackets, bags and tents.
Questions
What runs along each side of the zipper tape?
What is the part you pull called?
What does the wedge do when you pull the slider down?
What do the stops at the ends do?
Why does a zipper hold tight?
Why might a zipper not close if one tooth is bent?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________▲
The Zipper's Hidden Wedge
A zipper looks simple, but it is a clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth. Every tooth has a bump on one end and a little pocket on the other. When a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together.
The part you pull is called the slider. Inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider up, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, and they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider down, the same wedge slides between the teeth and pushes them apart. That is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows. They keep the slider from sliding right off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds tight. Yet it opens with one smooth pull. That is why you find zippers on jackets, backpacks and tents.
Questions
What runs along each side of the zipper tape?
What is the part you pull called?
What does the wedge do when you pull the slider down?
What do the stops at the ends of the rows do?
Why does a zipper hold tight?
Why might a zipper fail to close if one tooth is bent?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________■
The Zipper's Hidden Wedge
At first glance a zipper seems simple, but it is actually a remarkably clever machine. Along each side of the zipper tape runs a row of tiny teeth, and every tooth has a bump on one end and a small pocket on the other. Whenever a bump from the left row slips into a pocket in the right row, the two teeth lock together firmly.
The part that you pull is called the slider, and inside it is a channel shaped like the letter Y. As you pull the slider upward, the two rows of teeth enter through the arms of the Y. A wedge inside the slider squeezes them together, so that they lock one after another, faster than your eye can follow.
When you pull the slider downward, the very same wedge slides between the teeth and forces them apart, which is how the zipper opens. Small metal pieces called stops sit at the ends of the rows, and they prevent the slider from sliding completely off the tape.
Because the teeth lock side by side, a zipper holds extremely tight, and yet it opens with a single smooth pull. That combination explains why zippers appear on jackets, backpacks, tents and many other things we use every day.
Questions
What runs along each side of the zipper tape?
What is the part that you pull called?
What does the wedge do when you pull the slider downward?
What purpose do the stops at the ends of the rows serve?
Why does a zipper hold so tight?
Why might a zipper fail to close if one tooth were bent?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Answer key: The Zipper's Hidden Wedge
● Easier (Flesch-Kincaid grade 1)
A row of tiny teeth.
The slider.
It pushes the teeth apart.
They keep the slider on the tape.
The teeth lock side by side.
A bump must fit into a pocket. A bent tooth may not fit, so it cannot lock.
▲ This passage (Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.1)
A row of tiny teeth.
The slider.
It pushes the teeth apart so the zipper opens.
They keep the slider from sliding off the tape.
Its teeth lock together side by side.
A bump has to fit into a pocket to lock. A bent tooth may not fit its partner, so the zipper cannot close there.
■ Harder (Flesch-Kincaid grade 8.7)
A row of tiny teeth, each with a bump and a pocket.
The slider.
It slides between the teeth and forces them apart so the zipper opens.
They prevent the slider from sliding completely off the tape.
Its teeth lock together side by side.
A bump has to fit into a pocket to lock, and a bent tooth may not fit its partner, so the zipper could not close at that spot.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
How to use it
Press Read it big (or B) to put the text on the projector, or Full screen (F) to fill the whole screen.
Ask the questions one at a time and use Show answer when the class has decided. A shows or hides every answer.
Print student copy for the class, or Print with answers for yourself.
Ideas for class
Before reading, put teeth, slider, wedge, lock and stops on the board with their meanings from the Words to know section and have students predict what the text will be about.
Read it aloud once while students follow along, then have them reread it alone or with a partner. At a calm 100 words a minute it takes about 2 minutes to read aloud.
Use the Read it big button (or B) to put the text on the projector, and Show answer on one question at a time so the class commits to an answer first.
Question 6 asks the reader to infer. Ask students to point to the words in the passage that led them to their answer.
Ask students to write one question the passage did not answer, then look for the answer in a book or on a classroom screen.
Print the student copy for independent work and keep the answer-key copy for yourself.
What reading level is "The Zipper's Hidden Wedge"?
It was written for 4th grade. It has 188 words and works out to a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of about 4.1. That is a formula's estimate from sentence length and syllables, and it is not a Lexile or a guided reading level, so check it against your students.
What do the questions ask?
There are six. 5 ask for something the text says directly and 1 ask the reader to work something out from clues. Each has an answer in the key, and the answers are written as a teacher would accept them, not as the only possible wording.
How long does it take to read?
About 2 minutes read aloud at 100 words a minute. For a one-minute fluency check, paste it into the fluency timer and use the word count.
Can I print it?
Yes. Print student copy gives the passage, the questions with lines to write on, and the word meanings. Print with answers gives the same page with the answers filled in. Both are made in your browser.
Is this passage from a published book?
No. It was written for Peabody Teach, so there is no book to buy and no login to read it.
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