Learning to read is a process, a long process. I have found that there are two primary phases. From kindergarten through 2nd grade, students are ‘learning to read.’ From about 3rd grade forward, students move into a phase that I refer to as ‘reading to learn.’ Learning to think critically while reading is a goal of this second phase of reading instruction. Along with this change comes a push for students to be thinking at a higher level while reading. Teaching with paired reading passages is a great way to do this.

What Are Paired Passages or Paired Text?

A paired reading passage is two reading passages on the same topic or with the same theme. These two passages are presented to the student at the same time for reading, comparison, and discussion. Using a pair of texts with similar topics allows students to work on some important thinking skills like comparing and contrasting, connecting, and inferencing.

Some paired passages involve two non-fiction texts, while others are one non-fiction text and one fiction text. There is a benefit to both types of paired passages in helping students develop important thinking skills.

Reading Skills Included with Paired Passages

Here are just a few of the important thinking skills students practice when working on paired passages:

• Comparing and Contrasting information
• Determining author’s purpose and how it might change in a different text
• Drawing conclusions
• Inferencing based on prior knowledge (the first read text can be prior knowledge)
• Improved comprehension from gaining additional information
• Vocabulary and word meaning determination

How to Use Paired Texts with Students

Generally, paired passages should be taught together, time permitting. Students should read one text and then the other before discussing or working on comprehension questions. The reason this works well is that it causes students to process one text in light of the second text. This really opens the mental door for students to connect the information in their brain, use the texts together to help figure out unknown words, and draw conclusions on the topic.

By using information from two passages, students are able to make connections, draw information from one passage to help interpret the other passage, and use the passages together to build a greater understanding of the topic so that inferences and conclusions can be made.

Teaching Thinking Skills

It’s important as we teach new skills to model what it looks like for our students. This goes for thinking skills and application skills. Here are some examples of question stems you could use as you are modeling.

• I wonder what the word _____________ means
• In the last text, I learned ______________, and that helps me understand why ________________
• What do ________________ and _______________ have in common
• How are _______________ and _______________ different

Why You Should Use Paired Passages in Your Classroom

I love teaching with paired passages. Students can work on a variety of reading comprehension, they offer opportunities for higher-order thinking skills, and they allow students to build a deeper understanding of each topic. I also love connecting our reading passages to science and social studies concepts when I can.

And if I still haven’t convinced you that you need to be using them in your classroom, here’s one more reason (although I hate to use it because it’s like hitting below the belt) . . . paired passages are found on most state tests and the SAT! Although I am not a fan of teaching to the test, we must prepare our students for the standardized tests they will face.

With paired reading passages, students have the opportunity to work on higher-order thinking skills. Paired passages are great opportunities for comparing the author’s purpose, drawing conclusions, comparing & contrasting, and inferencing. Using paired passages is a great way to teach these important thinking skills.

High-Quality Resources to Teach Paired Passages

Do you struggle to find paired passages, or paired texts, that will help your students compare and contrast information from two texts on the same topic? These high-interest resources will help you teach, reteach, or assess understanding as your students practice integrating and combining important details from passages with similar themes and topics. I have a variety of nonfiction mini-units full of PRINT & DIGITAL paired text activities to use anytime throughout the year with 3rd-5th grade.

Each individual resource comes with a print and digital (Google Slides & Google Forms) version to make teaching and assigning the lessons easy!

Reading Paired Passages for Grades 3-5

When you click on each bundle, you can see the individual resources included. You can purchase each set of paired passages separately, or you can BUNDLE & SAVE! My bundles are always discounted and definitely the best bang for your buck! Find them all by clicking HERE!

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