Super Bowl Close Reading

🏈 The Super Bowl: America’s Biggest Game – Non-Fiction Close Reading & Writing | Grades 5–8 🏈

Bring the excitement of the Super Bowl into your classroom with this engaging non-fiction close-reading resource! Perfect for winter lessons and sports-themed units, this resource strengthens background knowledge, annotation skills, and text-based writing while keeping students motivated and excited about reading. Modeled after high-quality close reading programs such as i-Ready, it provides scaffolded support for comprehension and writing.

Students will explore:

• The history and origins of the Super Bowl

• Memorable halftime shows and iconic performances

• Famous commercials and fan-made ads

• Underdog victories and unforgettable game moments

• Fun traditions, fan culture, and the Super Bowl’s impact on American society

✨ What’s Inside (35+ Pages)

✅ Pre-Reading KWL Chart – Activate prior knowledge and set reading purpose
✅ During-Reading Note-Taking Organizer – Structured comprehension by section
✅ Close Reading Text (8 Pages) – Non-fiction article with built-in annotation cues
✅ Annotation Guide + Fully Annotated Model Text – Visual support for emerging readers
✅ Post-Reading Comprehension Questions (12) – Main idea, inference, and context clue practice
✅ R.A.C.E. Writing Outline + Modeled Response – Step-by-step support for text-based writing
✅ Step Up to Writing Paragraph Model – Color-coded highlighting activity for guided writing
✅ Post-Reading Writing Prompt – Analyze why the Super Bowl is more than just a football game using textual evidence
✅ Creative Extension: Design Your Own Super Bowl Commercial – Students apply comprehension and creativity
✅ Close Reading Checklist – Supports revision, reflection, and peer collaboration
✅ Answer Keys Included – Quick grading and self-check

🎯 Skills & Standards Alignment

Reading Informational Text (RI.5–8):

• Cite evidence from the text (RI.5.1–RI.8.1)

• Determine main idea and summarize (RI.5.2–RI.8.2)

• Explain relationships, events, and historical development (RI.5.3–RI.8.3)

• Determine the meaning of words using context clues (RI.5.4–RI.8.4)

Writing Standards (W.5–8):

• W.5–8.2 & W.5–8.4: Write informative/explanatory texts with clear organization

• W.5–8.9: Use evidence from informational texts to support analysis and explanation

❤️ Why Teachers Love It

• Non-fiction focus builds real-world knowledge about an iconic American event

• High-interest, sports-themed content keeps students engaged in winter months

• Skill-based and standards-aligned – perfect for main idea, evidence, vocabulary, and text structure practice

• Writing-ready – includes R.A.C.E., Step Up to Writing modeling, and structured textual analysis

• Versatile – whole-class lessons, small groups, literacy centers, enrichment, or intervention

• Test prep-ready – ideal for AIR, PARCC, PSSA, STAAR, i-Ready, SBAC, and more

• Teacher-friendly – ready to print, organized, and full of visual supports

🏈 Perfect For

• Winter and February lessons in grades 5–8

• ELA centers, small groups, or whole-class instruction

• Test prep and skill reinforcement for reading and writing

• Creative extensions and enrichment activities

• Supporting SPED or ESL learners with scaffolded close reading

⭐ Give your students a meaningful look behind one of America’s biggest cultural events—while strengthening essential literacy skills this winter!

📚Continue building reading skills with this Women’s History Main Idea + Supporting Details Resource!

✍️ Follow Learning Between the Lines for more ready-to-use, skill-based literacy resources for grades 5–8!