PebbleGo SEASONS Scaffolded Webquest Reading + Research Comprehension Activities

Help students research and understand what seasons are and why seasons change with this scaffolded science webquest using Pebblego.com. This resource includes:

Cloze Notes: "What Are Seasons?" (2 student pages):

Students fill in the blanks to complete each passage:

1. What are seasons?

2. Why are they different?

3. How are they different?

4. Are they the same?

5. Which season is first?

Review activity: Draw and color leaves and a background setting to show the tree in the different seasons. (Students may explore additional PebbleGo seasons articles for support.)

Reading Comprehension Review Questions (2 student pages):

Students monitor their understanding of the article, completing 16 comprehension questions while reading Pebblego.com or their completed cloze notes.

Review activity: Which season do you like best? Why? Draw and write. (Students may explore additional PebbleGo seasons articles for support.)

Clear, visually-supported student directions:

1. Step-by-step pictures show students how to access this chapter on PebbleGo.com.

2. Username and password boxes: You can add your school's info directly onto your copies, or have students write it in before getting started on the computer.

Ways to Use this Activity:

Differentiation

You can differentiate seasons research by assigning some students the Cloze Notes pages, and other students the more open-ended Reading Comprehension pages. All students complete their assignments using PebbleGo.com directly.

As a scaffold

Students complete the cloze notes first. Then, they re-read their cloze notes, and use the information to complete the Reading Comprehension activity.

Why I recommend PebbleGo (beyond the primary classroom!)

PebbleGo is an awesome resource I have used for years to teach science and social studies content to beginning and intermediate English Learners at all grade levels. It includes visual support (photos, diagrams, maps, and more), defined key terms, and an optional read-aloud feature that highlights the words as it goes. It makes grade-level content accessible -- without looking "baby-ish" -- for beginning readers of all ages.

Pebblego.com requires a subscription (usually purchased at school level), but does have a free preview trial -- visit their website to learn more. :)