Non-Fiction Grinch Resource

🎄 How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Non-Fiction Close Reading & Writing | Grades 3–6 🎄

Bring holiday learning to life with this engaging non-fiction close-reading resource exploring the history, impact, and legacy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Perfect for December lessons, 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 origins and publication of the book

• Dr. Seuss’s signature style

• The Grinch’s evolution across animated and live-action adaptations

• How the Grinch became a lasting holiday icon

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✨ What’s Inside (30+ Pages)

✅ Pre-Reading KWL Chart – Activate prior knowledge and set reading purpose
✅ During-Reading Note-Taking Organizer – Structured comprehension by section
✅ Close Reading Text (4 Pages) – Non-fiction article with built-in annotation cues
✅ Annotation Guide + Fully Annotated Model Text – Visual support for emerging readers
✅ Post-Reading Comprehension Questions (6) – Text evidence focus for skill practice and test prep
✅ 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 Grinch remains popular today using textual evidence
✅ Context Clues Practice – Anchor chart + multiple-choice questions
✅ Creative Extension: My Grinch Adaptation – Students design a new Grinch and explain their choices
✅ Close Reading Checklist – Supports revision, reflection, and peer collaboration
✅ Answer Keys Included – Quick grading and self-check

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🎯 Skills & Standards Alignment

Reading Informational Text (RI.3–5):

• Cite evidence from the text (RI.3.1, RI.4.1, RI.5.1)

• Determine main idea and summarize (RI.3.2, RI.4.2, RI.5.2)

• Explain relationships, events, and historical development (RI.3.3, RI.4.3, RI.5.3)

• Determine the meaning of words using context clues (RI.3.4, RI.4.4, RI.5.4)

Writing Standards (W.3–5):

• W.3–5.2 & W.3–5.4: Write informative/explanatory texts with clear organization

• W.3–5.9: Use evidence from informational texts to support analysis and explanation

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❤️ Why Teachers Love It

• Non-fiction focus builds real-world knowledge about a beloved holiday classic

• High-interest holiday content keeps students engaged and motivated in December

• 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

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🎄Perfect For

• December holiday lessons in grades 3–6

• 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

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⭐ Give your students a meaningful look behind one of the most iconic holiday stories—while strengthening essential literacy skills this December!

❄️Also, check out: Christmas-Themed Main Idea and Supporting Details Skill-Based Reading

✍️ Follow Learning Between the Lines for more ready-to-use, skill-based literacy resources for grades 3–6!