Later in this lesson, you will read a piece of nonfiction that explains the historical context for a novel your class will read. First, though, practice using some reading strategies on a shorter, simpler example of nonfiction. When you read the title, “Composting at Home,” you should immediately recall what you already know about composting—perhaps that it is done by people who care about the natural environment. That knowledge will help you draw conclusions about this writer’s meaning.
Composting at Home
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps certain materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
All composting requires three basic ingredients: browns, greens, and water. Browns include materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs. Greens include materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds. Your compost pile should have an equal amount of browns to greens. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water provides moisture to help break down the organic matter.
There are many benefits to composting. For example, it enriches the soil by helping it retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter. Composting is simple and rewarding, and even more importantly, composting reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.
Apply your understanding of comprehension strategies by answering the multiple-choice questions that follow.
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps certain materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
All composting requires three basic ingredients: browns, greens, and water. Browns include materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs. Greens include materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds. Your compost pile should have an equal amount of browns to greens. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water provides moisture to help break down the organic matter.
There are many benefits to composting. For example, it enriches the soil by helping it retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter. Composting is simple and rewarding, and even more importantly, composting reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.
Look at the context clues around the word enriches in the last paragraph. Which word best defines enriches as it is used here?
- thickens
- improves
- waters
- makes
Using context clues is a great way to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. The clues “many benefits” and “helping it” suggest that enriches most likely means “to make better” or “to improve.”
Using context clues is a great way to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. The clues “many benefits” and “helping it” suggest that enriches most likely means “to make better” or “to improve.”
Using context clues is a great way to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. The clues “many benefits” and “helping it” suggest that enriches most likely means “to make better” or “to improve.”
Using context clues is a great way to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. The clues “many benefits” and “helping it” suggest that enriches most likely means “to make better” or “to improve.”
How would an understanding of carbon emissions, the ozone layer, and greenhouse gases help you better understand the last sentence of the passage?
- You would believe that composting is important and rewarding.
- You would agree that composting reduces methane emissions.
- You would be able to comprehend the purpose of composting.
- You would understand the phrase “lowers your carbon footprint.”
Prior knowledge is when you already have information about the topic. Knowing about carbon emissions and the ozone layer would help you better understand the phrase “lower your carbon footprint,” which refers to the amount of carbon and methane emissions you contribute to the environment. Relying on what you already know is another useful strategy that will help with comprehension.
Prior knowledge is when you already have information about the topic. Knowing about carbon emissions and the ozone layer would help you better understand the phrase “lower your carbon footprint,” which refers to the amount of carbon and methane emissions you contribute to the environment. Relying on what you already know is another useful strategy that will help with comprehension.
Prior knowledge is when you already have information about the topic. Knowing about carbon emissions and the ozone layer would help you better understand the phrase “lower your carbon footprint,” which refers to the amount of carbon and methane emissions you contribute to the environment. Relying on what you already know is another useful strategy that will help with comprehension.
Prior knowledge is when you already have information about the topic. Knowing about carbon emissions and the ozone layer would help you better understand the phrase “lower your carbon footprint,” which refers to the amount of carbon and methane emissions you contribute to the environment. Relying on what you already know is another useful strategy that will help with comprehension.
Which of these ideas is implied in the article but not directly stated?
- The author feels it is important for others to know how they can help the environment.
- The author thinks composting is helpful, but wishes it wasn’t so time consuming and complicated.
- The author wants to try composting as a way of decreasing his/her own carbon footprint.
- The author believes composting is the only way to reduce methane emissions.
Based on the facts within the article, you can infer that the author feels it is important for others to know how they can help the environment. Making inferences is a great strategy that helps you better understand the content and purpose of text.
Based on the facts within the article, you can infer that the author feels it is important for others to know how they can help the environment. Making inferences is a great strategy that helps you better understand the content and purpose of text.
Based on the facts within the article, you can infer that the author feels it is important for others to know how they can help the environment. Making inferences is a great strategy that helps you better understand the content and purpose of text.
Based on the facts within the article, you can infer that the author feels it is important for others to know how they can help the environment. Making inferences is a great strategy that helps you better understand the content and purpose of text.
What conclusion can you draw about chemical fertilizers, based on the details in this paragraph?
- Chemical fertilizers are fine to use on the produce you grow and eat.
- Chemical fertilizers help improve the water and nutrients in the soil.
- Chemical fertilizers are harmful and it is best not to use them.
- Chemical fertilizers work well and create larger, healthier crops.
The author notes that composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by helping produce beneficial bacteria, implying that chemical fertilizers are not a good choice for crops that will be eaten.
The author notes that composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by helping produce beneficial bacteria, implying that chemical fertilizers are not a good choice for crops that will be eaten.
The author notes that composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by helping produce beneficial bacteria, implying that chemical fertilizers are not a good choice for crops that will be eaten.
The author notes that composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by helping produce beneficial bacteria, implying that chemical fertilizers are not a good choice for crops that will be eaten.
Summary
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