4th and 5th Grade Reading Comprehension Practice - All About the Titanic
Explore the secrets of the Titanic in this nonfiction reading comprehension course. We will read various nonfiction passages to dive into history, survivor stories, and deep-sea discoveries. An engaging way to improve nonfiction reading!
AJ Crocker
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(46)
What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be asked to work on their final presentations outside of class, beginning on day 1 and due on the final day during our presentation and celebration!This class explores the historical events surrounding the Titanic, including its sinking and the experiences of survivors. While the content is presented in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner, discussions of shipwrecks, loss of life, and survivor accounts may be emotional for some learners. Parents are encouraged to support their child’s understanding and emotions as they engage with the material. No accounts are required for third-party tools, and all resources will be provided within the class platform.Certificate of Completion
1 after class completionClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 5
In this engaging 4-day nonfiction reading comprehension camp, students will embark on an exciting journey to uncover the secrets of the Titanic. Through carefully selected nonfiction texts, they will explore the ship’s construction, the fateful voyage, firsthand survivor accounts, and the deep-sea discovery of the wreck. Each day, students will focus on developing key reading skills such as identifying main ideas, analyzing text structure, making inferences, and distinguishing fact from opinion. They will engage in lively discussions, respond to comprehension questions, and participate in interactive activities that bring history to life. In addition to reading, students will work with primary sources, maps, and images to deepen their understanding of the Titanic’s story. They will practice annotating texts, summarizing key details, and critically thinking about the events leading up to and following the disaster. The camp will culminate in a final project where students demonstrate their learning by creating a nonfiction presentation, timeline, or written reflection about the Titanic. With a balance of historical intrigue and reading comprehension skill-building, this class is perfect for young readers who love history and want to strengthen their nonfiction reading skills.
Learning Goals
Develop Key Nonfiction Reading Skills – Students will practice identifying main ideas, analyzing text structures, making inferences, and distinguishing fact from opinion while reading engaging nonfiction texts about the Titanic.Interpret and Analyze Primary & Secondary Sources – Students will examine historical documents, survivor accounts, maps, and images to deepen their understanding of the Titanic’s story and critically engage with nonfiction materials.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Setting Sail – The Titanic’s Design & Departure
Objective: Build background knowledge about the Titanic, practice identifying main ideas and key details.
Reading: Informational text on the Titanic’s construction, features, and maiden voyage.
Skills Focus: Main idea & supporting details, summarizing nonfiction texts.
Activity: Graphic organizer for main ideas and details, labeling a Titanic diagram.
Discussion: Why was the Titanic called "unsinkable"? What factors made it so impressive? 1 assignment
14 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Disaster Strikes – The Iceberg Collision
Objective: Analyze cause and effect in nonfiction texts.
Reading: Survivor accounts and historical articles describing the night of the sinking.
Skills Focus: Cause & effect relationships, sequencing events.
Activity: Timeline of events leading up to the collision and sinking.
Discussion: Could the disaster have been prevented? What mistakes were made? 1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Survival & Tragedy – Voices from the Titanic
Objective: Make inferences using firsthand survivor accounts.
Reading: Excerpts from survivor testimonies and lifeboat stories.
Skills Focus: Making inferences, comparing firsthand and secondhand accounts.
Activity: Writing a "first-person" survivor journal entry based on historical facts.
Discussion: What did you notice or wonder about the stories of these survivors? 1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Aftermath & Legacy – What We’ve Learned
Objective: Evaluate how the Titanic’s sinking led to changes in maritime safety.
Reading: Articles on Titanic discoveries, shipwreck exploration, and new safety regulations.
Skills Focus: Summarizing, evaluating key takeaways from historical events. 1 assignment
Other Details
Learning Needs
I have experience working with neurodiverse. I am happy to make accommodations and adjustments to meet everyone's needs. Please let me know ahead of time if there is anything specific you need me to differentiate or adjust to support you.
Parental Guidance
This class explores the historical events surrounding the Titanic, including its sinking and the experiences of survivors. While the content is presented in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner, discussions of shipwrecks, loss of life, and survivor accounts may be emotional for some learners. Parents are encouraged to support their child’s understanding and emotions as they engage with the material. No accounts are required for third-party tools, and all resources will be provided within the class platform.
Pre-Requisites
Students should be comfortable reading at a 4th to 5th-grade level
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
he reading passages for this class will be sourced from a combination of historically accurate, age-appropriate nonfiction texts, including:
Primary sources such as survivor accounts, newspaper articles from 1912, and excerpts from official reports.
Informational texts written for young readers, including selections from books like I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis and Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson.
Educational websites and articles from reputable sources such as the Smithsonian, National Geographic Kids, and the BBC.
Adapted reading materials to ensure accessibility for all learners, with a focus on comprehension strategies.
All materials will be provided in class, and no additional purchases are required.
Joined April, 2023
4.9
46reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from Colorado State University
I am a seasoned classroom teacher with over a decade of experience teaching in upper elementary, 8 years as an art teacher, and the last 2 spend as an elementary librarian (best. job. ever.) Reading and research my main passion, and I love to share the joys of reading comprehension with students of all ages. I hold a M.A. in International Comparative Education from Teachers College. Columbia University and an M.S. in Teaching & Learning from Colorado State University, as well as a B.A. in Political Science. I am certified K-6 Elementary Education and 7-12 Social Studies in Colorado. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$10
weekly4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Ages: 8-11
