Non-fiction: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Dive into a Coral Reef!
Coral reefs are home to many ocean animals. They are busy
underwater places. Coral reefs are found near the surface of some
oceans.
A coral reef is home sweet home to many creatures. It is a safe place
to live and a great place to find food.
Green Sea Turtles
Green sea turtles can weigh more than 300
pounds and grow to about 3 feet long. They
can live for a long time—up to 100 years!
Most green sea turtles eat plants.
Clown Fish
World Almanac for Kids
Clown fish have trouble hiding because they Clown Fish
are so bright. To stay safe, clown fish live
near poisonous1 sea animals. Those animals look like plants.
Dugongs
Dugongs are plant-eating sea animals. They live near some coral
reefs. Dugongs have whiskers and round faces. They are sometimes
called sea cows.
Moray Eels
Moray eels are ocean fish that have long, slim, snakelike bodies. They
hide in tiny holes throughout coral reefs. Moray eels eat small fish and
octopuses.
Hammerhead Sharks
Hammerhead sharks have wide, flat heads. They grow to more than
10 feet long. Hammerheads have triangle-shaped teeth with sharp
bumps for chewing food.
1 poisonous: containing poison--a substance that by its chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
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© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
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Used by permission.
Non-fiction: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Gary Adkison
Hammerhead Shark
Regal Angelfish
Regal angelfish live near safe caves of coral reefs. They are brightly
striped fish. Angelfish usually swim in pairs. They eat sea sponges or
tiny coral reef animals.
Coral Close-Up
Coral reefs are formed by tiny ocean animals called polyps (PAH-lips).
When polyps die, their shells are left behind. More polyps grow on top
of the shells. In time, the reef gets bigger. Corals come in many
shapes, colors, and sizes.



Brain Coral
Fan-Shaped Coral
Lettuce-Shaped Coral
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®
© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
Article: Copyright © 2005 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved.
Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation.
Used by permission.
Questions: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Name: ____________________________
Date: ________________
Directions: Answer the following four questions based on the information
in the passage.
1. Where are coral reefs most commonly found? How are coral reefs
created?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. List at least three types of animals that live in a coral reef.
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. Why is a coral reef a good place for many ocean animals to live?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. What is this passage mostly about?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
1
© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Directions: Please read the sentence below and then write the word or
phrase that best answers the questions. The first answer has been provided
for you.
Clown fish hide behind poisonous sea animals because they have trouble
blending in with their bright colors.
What? clown fish
5. (do) What?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
6. Where?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
7. Why?
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________
________________________________________________________
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: Dive into a Coral Reef!
8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that
best completes the sentence.
Dugongs eat plants, _______ Moray eels eat other animals.
A but
B because
C so
Directions: Read the vocabulary word and definition below. Then answer
questions 9 and 10.
Vocabulary Word: surface (sur · face): the outside of an object; it is often
flat.
9. Read the sentences below and underline all forms of the word
surface.
a. My toy boat floated on the surface of the water in the tub.
b. Dad used sandpaper to make sure the surface of the shelf was
smooth.
c. The surface of the rock was bumpy and rough.
d. A drop of water rolled down the surface of the flower petal.
e. I carefully laid my art project on the surface of my desk.
10. Which environment has a very wet surface?
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Teacher Guide and Answer Key
Passage Reading Level: Lexile 610
Featured Text Structure: Enumerative – the writer includes a list, giving examples of
something. This text structure is often combined with cause/effect or problem/solution.
Passage Summary: This passage lists and describes many animals that live in a coral
reef, including sea turtles, clown fish, dugongs, and coral.
To the Teacher: Read the passage aloud to the class [TIP: while reading aloud, show
the passage on a whiteboard or give each student a copy of the passage so they can
follow along].
Then, use the text-dependent questions 1-8 to facilitate a whole class discussion to
ensure students comprehend the key details from the passage.
Finally, use questions 9-10 to deep teach one important vocabulary word [TIP: you can
use the model provided for teaching additional vocabulary].
1. Where are coral reefs most commonly found? How are coral reefs created?
[Important Detail]
Suggested answer: Coral reefs are found near the surface of some oceans. Coral
reefs are created by tiny ocean animals called polyps (PAH-lips). When polyps die,
their shells are left behind. More polyps grow on top of the shells. In time, the reef
gets bigger. Corals come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. [paragraphs 1 and 9]
2. List at least three types of animals that live in a coral reef. [Important Detail]
Suggested answer: Animals that live in a coral reef include green sea turtles,
clown fish, dugong, moray eels, hammerhead sharks, regal angelfish, and polyps.
[paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9]
3. Why is a coral reef a good place for many ocean animals to live? [Important
Detail]
Suggested answer: A coral reef is a good place for many ocean animals to live
because it is safe and a great place to find food. [paragraph 2]
4. What is this passage mostly about? [Main Idea]
1
© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: Dive into a Coral Reef!
Suggested answer: This passage is mostly about a coral reef and the animals
that live there.
Directions: Please read the sentence below and then write the word or phrase that best
answers the questions. The first answer has been provided for you.
Clown fish hide behind poisonous sea animals because they have trouble blending in
with their bright colors.
What? clown fish
5. (do) What? hide
6. Where? behind poisonous sea animals
7. Why? because they have trouble blending in with their bright colors
8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
Dugongs eat plants, _______ Moray eels eat other animals.
A but
B because
C so
To the Teacher: ReadWorks recommends that you teach this vocabulary word to the
whole class out loud using the four steps listed below.
Vocabulary Word: surface (sur · face): the outside of an object; it is often flat.
Step 1: Introduce the word
a. Teacher writes the word on the board and divides it into syllables: (sur · face)
b. Teacher says: “This word is surface. What is the word?” [All students reply
together out loud: “Surface.”]
Step 2: Provide a child-friendly definition
a. Teacher says: “A surface is the outside of an object; it is often flat.”
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: Dive into a Coral Reef!
b. Teacher says: “The passage mentions that coral reefs grow near the surface, or
the outside edge, of the ocean where it meets the air.”
c. Teacher says: “What is the word?” [All students reply together out loud:
“Surface.”]
Step 3: Practice the word
Teacher provides examples and additional opportunities to repeat the word. Read the
first sentence out loud to your students. Begin reading it again and when you come to
the vocabulary word prompt students to say the vocabulary word out loud. Then, finish
reading the sentence out loud to your students.
Directions: Read the vocabulary word and definition below. Then answer questions 9
and 10.
Vocabulary Word: surface (sur · face): the outside of an object; it is often flat.
9. Read the sentences below and underline all forms of the word surface.
a. My toy boat floated on the surface of the water in the tub.
b. Dad used sandpaper to make sure the surface of the shelf was smooth.
c. The surface of the rock was bumpy and rough.
d. A drop of water rolled down the surface of the flower petal.
e. I carefully laid my art project on the surface of my desk.
Step 4: Check for student understanding
To the Teacher: This step can be completed as a whole class activity or as an
independent practice.
10. Which environment has a very wet surface?
Suggested Additional Vocabulary: creature
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.