Instructions
This worksheet will help you practice important strategies for understanding non-fiction texts. Complete each part to practice skills you can use before, during, and after you read any informational article.
Part 1: Before You Read
Good readers think about a topic before they even start reading. This helps activate what you already know.
Activity A: K-W-L Chart
The text you are about to read is about the science of sleep. In the chart below, fill out the first two columns. What do you already Know about sleep? What do you Want to know?
| What I Know | What I Want to Know | What I Learned |
|---|---|---|
| (Leave this column blank for now.) |
Activity B: Skimming and Text Features
Quickly scan the text below. You don't need to read it carefully yet. Look for text features that help you predict what the text is about.
- How many paragraphs are in the text?
- List at least two words that are in bold or capitalized (that are not at the start of a sentence).
- Based on your scan, what do you think is the main purpose of this text?
Part 2: During Reading
Now, read the text carefully. As you read, interact with it! This is called "annotating." It helps you stay focused and understand the information more deeply.
Activity C: Read and Annotate
Follow these instructions as you read the passage below:
- Underline what you believe is the main idea of each paragraph.
- Circle any key vocabulary words you think are important.
- Write a question mark (?) in the margin next to anything that is confusing or makes you wonder.
- Write an exclamation mark (!) in the margin next to a fact you find surprising or interesting.
Sleep is more than just a time for your body to rest; it's a critical period of intense neurological activity. Scientists have identified two main types of sleep: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). Our journey through sleep isn't random; we cycle through distinct stages throughout the night.
The first three stages are NREM sleep. Stage N1 is the light doze when you're just drifting off. In Stage N2, your heart rate and body temperature drop, preparing you for deeper sleep. The most restorative part is Stage N3, also known as deep sleep. During this stage, your body works hard to repair tissues, build bone and muscle, and strengthen the immune system. It's very difficult to be woken up from Stage N3.
After cycling through the NREM stages, you enter REM sleep. This is when most of your dreaming occurs. Your eyes move rapidly back and forth behind your closed eyelids, which is how this stage gets its name. Your brain is incredibly active, almost as if you were awake. Scientists believe REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, which means organizing and storing the day's information, and for emotional regulation. A full sleep cycle, from N1 to REM, typically lasts about 90 to 110 minutes, and we repeat this cycle several times a night.
Part 3: After You Read
Reflecting on what you've read helps solidify your understanding and connect new information to what you already knew.
Activity D: Complete the K-W-L Chart
Go back to the chart in Part 1. Now, fill in the final column: What did you Learn about the science of sleep?
Activity E: Summarize
Using the main ideas you underlined in the text, write a 1-2 sentence summary of the entire passage.
Activity F: Check Your Comprehension
Answer the following questions based on the text.
- What is the primary function of Stage N3 (deep sleep)?
- What two key processes happen during REM sleep?
- Based on the text, why is it incorrect to say that your brain "shuts off" when you sleep?
Answer Key
Activity A: K-W-L Chart
Answers will vary based on your prior knowledge. A good "K" entry might be "You need 8 hours of sleep." A good "W" entry might be "Why do we dream?"
Activity B: Skimming and Text Features
- There are 3 paragraphs.
- Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM), Rapid Eye Movement (REM), memory consolidation.
- Answers will vary but should be similar to: To inform the reader about the different stages of sleep.
Activity C: Read and Annotate
Annotations will vary. Here are some examples of what you might have marked:
- Main Ideas Underlined:
- Par 1: Scientists have identified two main types of sleep: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM).
- Par 2: The most restorative part is Stage N3, also known as deep sleep.
- Par 3: Scientists believe REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation...and for emotional regulation.
- Key Vocabulary Circled: NREM, REM, restorative, deep sleep, memory consolidation.
Activity D: Complete the K-W-L Chart
Answers will vary. A good "L" entry might be: "I learned there are different stages of sleep, like NREM and REM, and that REM sleep helps with memory."
Activity E: Summarize
Your summary should be similar to this: The text explains the different stages of sleep, including NREM for physical repair and REM for dreaming and memory consolidation, which occur in cycles throughout the night.
Activity F: Check Your Comprehension
- The primary function of Stage N3 sleep is physical restoration, where the body repairs tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system.
- The two key processes that happen during REM sleep are memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
- It is incorrect because the text states that the brain is intensely active during sleep, especially during REM sleep, when it is almost as active as when you are awake.