Finding Balance: Sweat and Squads
Year 11 English Language Arts Reading Comprehension & Language Skills Duration: 50 minutes
WALT (We Are Learning To)
Identify explicit facts and draw conclusions from informational text Expand vocabulary through synonyms and antonyms Recognize and construct simple and compound sentences Apply reading strategies to real-world topics
Success Criteria
I can find specific information stated directly in the text I can make logical inferences from what I read I can identify and use precise vocabulary effectively I can distinguish between simple and compound sentences
Think-Pair-Share
What does 'balance' mean to you as a teenager? How do you currently balance screen time with physical activity? Share your thoughts with a partner
Today's Reading: 'Finding the Balance: Sweat and Squads'
Informational text about teenage wellness Focus on physical and social activities We'll practice literal and inferential reading Vocabulary and sentence structure activities included
Silent Reading Time
Read 'Finding the Balance: Sweat and Squads' silently Highlight or underline key information as you read Time: 8 minutes Focus on understanding the main ideas
Part A: Literal Reading Questions
Finding facts directly stated in the text Question 1: Two physical benefits of staying active Question 2: Natural chemical released during exercise Question 3: Life skills learned through face-to-face interactions
Differentiated Support - Literal Questions
Support Level: Work with teacher to locate answers Core Level: Complete questions 1-3 independently Extension Level: Find additional supporting details for each answer Time: 10 minutes
Part A: Inferential Reading Questions
Reading between the lines Question 4: Meaning of 'endless scroll' phrase Question 5: Why team sport players handle stress better Question 6: How social activities help with identity confusion
Literal vs Inferential Reading
{"left":"Literal: Information directly stated in the text\nInferential: Conclusions drawn from text clues plus background knowledge\nLiteral: 'What does the text say?'","right":"Inferential: 'What does the text mean?'\nLiteral: Facts and details\nInferential: Implications and deeper meanings"}
Part B: Vocabulary Builder
Finding synonyms and antonyms Word 1: 'crucial' - find a synonym and antonym Word 2: 'resilience' - find a synonym and antonym Rewrite weak sentence with stronger vocabulary
Vocabulary Challenge
Extension Activity: Create word families Find 3 synonyms for 'crucial' with different intensity levels Use each word in a unique sentence Challenge: Explain why context matters for word choice
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