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Pack It Right: Heavy Things Close to Your Back

5th grade nonfiction passage about backpack safety: 230 words, six questions, an answer key and vocabulary.

5th grade nonfiction backpack safety 230 words

Pack It Right: Heavy Things Close to Your Back

A backpack seems simple, because you stuff in your books, zip it shut, and go. But a pack that is loaded badly can make your shoulders ache and your back feel sore by the end of the day, and a few smart habits can make it feel much lighter.

Start with what goes inside. Put the heaviest items, like a big textbook, close to your back, in the part of the pack that touches you. Heavy things that sit far from your body pull you backward, and then you have to lean forward to keep your balance, while lighter things, like a jacket or a lunch, can go toward the outside.

Next, check the straps. Use both of them. Carrying a pack on one shoulder makes one side of your body do all the work, and your spine may twist to make up for it. Tighten the straps so the pack sits high and snug instead of hanging low near your waist. Some packs also have a belt around the middle, and if you clip it, your strong hip muscles will share the weight.

Last, clean out your pack once in a while. Old papers, extra water bottles, and things you do not need all add weight. Your back carries what you carry. If your pack still feels too heavy, ask a teacher or parent how to lighten the load.

Questions

  1. Where should the heaviest items go in a backpack? in the text

  2. What happens when heavy items sit far from your body? in the text

  3. Why is it better to use both straps? think about it

  4. Where should a pack sit on your back? in the text

  5. What does clipping the belt around the middle do? in the text

  6. Why does the writer suggest cleaning out your pack once in a while? think about it

Words to know

habits
things you do over and over without thinking
balance
staying steady without falling over
spine
the row of bones down the middle of your back
snug
fitting close and tight in a comfortable way
lighten
to make something weigh less
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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 · 194 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 1.5

A backpack looks simple. You fill it with books, zip it, and go. But a pack that is loaded badly can make your shoulders and back sore. A few smart habits can make it feel lighter.

First, think about what goes inside. Put the heaviest things, like a big textbook, close to your back. That is the part of the pack that touches you. Heavy things far from your body pull you backward. Then you lean forward to keep your balance. Lighter things, like a jacket or a lunch, can go toward the outside.

Next, check the straps. Use both of them. If you carry a pack on one shoulder, one side does all the work. Your spine may twist. Tighten the straps so the pack sits high and snug. It should not hang low by your waist. Some packs have a belt around the middle. Clip it. Your strong hip muscles will share the weight.

Last, clean out your pack now and then. Old papers and things you do not need add weight. Your back carries what you carry. If your pack still feels too heavy, ask a teacher or parent for help.

▲ This passage · 230 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.9

A backpack seems simple, because you stuff in your books, zip it shut, and go. But a pack that is loaded badly can make your shoulders ache and your back feel sore by the end of the day, and a few smart habits can make it feel much lighter.

Start with what goes inside. Put the heaviest items, like a big textbook, close to your back, in the part of the pack that touches you. Heavy things that sit far from your body pull you backward, and then you have to lean forward to keep your balance, while lighter things, like a jacket or a lunch, can go toward the outside.

Next, check the straps. Use both of them. Carrying a pack on one shoulder makes one side of your body do all the work, and your spine may twist to make up for it. Tighten the straps so the pack sits high and snug instead of hanging low near your waist. Some packs also have a belt around the middle, and if you clip it, your strong hip muscles will share the weight.

Last, clean out your pack once in a while. Old papers, extra water bottles, and things you do not need all add weight. Your back carries what you carry. If your pack still feels too heavy, ask a teacher or parent how to lighten the load.

■ Harder · 243 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 5.1

A backpack seems like a simple object. You cram in your books, zip it shut, and head out the door. However, a pack that has been loaded carelessly can leave your shoulders aching and your back sore by the end of the day. A handful of sensible habits can make it feel considerably lighter.

Begin with what goes inside. Place the heaviest items, such as a large textbook, close to your back, in the section of the pack that touches you. Heavy objects that sit far from your body pull you backward, and then you are forced to lean forward in order to keep your balance. Lighter items, like a jacket or a lunch, can go toward the outside.

Next, examine the straps. Always use both of them. Carrying a pack on a single shoulder makes one side of your body do all of the work, and your spine may twist to compensate. Tighten the straps so that the pack sits high and snug rather than dangling low near your waist. Some packs also have a belt around the middle. If yours does, clip it, and your strong hip muscles will help to share the weight.

Finally, clear out your pack every so often. Old papers, spare water bottles, and anything else you do not need all add extra weight. Your back carries whatever you carry. If your pack still feels too heavy, ask a teacher or parent how to lighten the load.

Download as one PDF

How to use it

  1. Press Read it big (or B) to put the text on the projector, or Full screen (F) to fill the whole screen.
  2. Ask the questions one at a time and use Show answer when the class has decided. A shows or hides every answer.
  3. Print student copy for the class, or Print with answers for yourself.

Ideas for class

  • Before reading, put habits, balance, spine, snug and lighten 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 3 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.

Related

Questions

What reading level is "Pack It Right: Heavy Things Close to Your Back"?

It was written for 5th grade. It has 230 words and works out to a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of about 4.9. 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. 4 ask for something the text says directly and 2 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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