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SCRAMBLED EGG READING AND CRITICAL
THINKING ACTIVITY
Scrambled Egg Reading and Critical Thinking Activity
Common Core Alignment:
This activity supports the common core reading
standards for informational texts (CCRI1, CCRI2,
& CCRI3) for grades six through eight, and can
be adapted to be used in almost any classroom.
Materials:
A link to viewable and printable copies of
high-quality, high-interest informational text
and/or literature.
Fifteen to twenty post-reading tasks and/or
questions based on the original and revised Blooms taxonomy.
Answer key to the post-reading tasks and/or questions.
PDF version of each document/file.
A link to a how-to, hands-on video tutorial describing the creation, use, and
implementation of the scrambled egg activity.
Time needed for activity:
15-20 minutes preparation
50 -70 minutes to complete activity (including reading time)
Brief Description of Activity:
The scrambled egg reading and critical thinking activity gives students the opportunity to
read a high-quality, high-interest text and demonstrate knowledge and skill through
collaboration and differentiated learning. This task requires students to read the article
(link below) and answer questions or complete tasks that have been cut into strips and
placed in numbered plastic eggs in the front of the classroom. By working
collaboratively, students are able to engage in a wide range of critical thinking skills in a
competitive environment and demonstrate reading knowledge. For those not familiar
with the specifics of a scrambled egg activity, watch the brief (five minute) tutorial here:
http://youtu.be/RItFydq2OuY.
Scrambled egg activity article link – True Grit: Bethany Hamilton’s Story:
http://www.lhj.com/volunteering/bethany-hamilton-soul-surfer/
Questions, tasks, and answer key:
(next four pages)
QUESTIONS AND TASKS
1.
Where is Bethany Hamilton from? Be specific.
2.
What kind of shark attacked Bethany Hamilton?
3.
In paragraph four, Bethany Hamilton compares not surfing
after the attack to not driving a car after an accident. Can
you think of a similar comparison? Write it.
4.
Why is surfing traditionally considered a two-armed sport?
5.
In paragraph five, Bethany Hamilton’s mother says she had “reservations” about Bethany returning to competitive surfing. What do you think the word “reservations” means?
6.
Why couldn’t Bethany Hamilton’s mom watch her first comeback competition? Be specific.
7.
Why might Bethany Hamilton sing a song to herself while
surfing?
8.
Using context clues in paragraph eight, what is posttraumatic stress?
9.
What choice would you have made in Bethany Hamilton’s situation? Would you get back on a surfboard? Explain.
10. As described in paragraph three, what are two factors that
helped save Bethany Hamilton’s life?
11.
Were Bethany Hamilton’s parents right to encourage her to continue competitive surfing, or should they have
encouraged her to slow down? Explain.
QUESTIONS AND TASKS
12. What might be the difference between and amateur and
professional athlete?
13.
Write down one unfamiliar word in the passage. What do
you think it might mean?
14. Where was Bethany Hamilton surfing when the shark
attacked her? Be specific.
15. Using the description in paragraph four, draw what Bethany
Hamilton’s arm looked like at the hospital?
16. What could you invent to help Bethany Hamilton surf or limit
shark attacks on surfers? Draw and/or describe your
invention.
17. How can your recognize someone that is motivated and/or
has a good attitude?
18. The book and movie about Bethany Hamilton is titled Soul
Surfer. Come up with your own, different title.
19. What does the idiom “top of her game” mean as used in paragraph five?
20. Bethany compares the shark biting off her arm to what?
ANSWER KEY
1.
Where is Bethany Hamilton from? Be specific. Kauai,
Hawaii.
2. What kind of shark attacked Bethany Hamilton? Tiger shark.
3. In paragraph four, Bethany Hamilton compares not surfing
after the attack to not driving a car after an accident. Can
you think of a similar comparison? Write it. Student answers
will vary.
4. Why is surfing traditionally considered a two-armed sport?
Answers will vary but should refer to balance or using both
arms to paddle and/or move into position on the board.
5. In paragraph five, Bethany Hamilton’s mother says she had “reservations” about Bethany returning to competitive surfing. What do you think the word “reservations” means?
Doubt or misgivings.
6. Why couldn’t Bethany Hamilton’s mom watch her first comeback competition? Be specific. Opinions will vary, but
students should reference the text and state that it was “too painful” for Bethany’s mother.
7. Why might Bethany Hamilton sing a song to herself while
surfing? To stay calm or gather strength.
8. Using context clues in paragraph eight, what is posttraumatic stress? Post-traumatic stress is a disorder that
causes stress and anxiety after a painful or shocking injury
or event.
9. What choice would you have made in Bethany Hamilton’s situation? Would you get back on a surfboard? Explain.
Student answers will vary.
10. As described in paragraph three, what are two factors that
helped save Bethany Hamilton’s life? Bethany’s friends created a tourniquet to stop her blood loss, and Bethany
remained calm and did not panic.
ANSWER KEY
11. Were Bethany Hamilton’s parents right to encourage her to
continue competitive surfing, or should they have
encouraged her to slow down? Explain. Student answers will
vary.
12. What might be the difference between and amateur and
professional athlete? Answers will vary but may point out
differences in ability or compensation.
13. Write down one unfamiliar word in the passage. What do you
think it might mean? Student answers will vary.
14. Where was Bethany Hamilton surfing when the shark
attacked her? Be specific. Kauai’s North Shore – Hawaii.
15. Using the description in paragraph four, draw what Bethany
Hamilton’s arm looked like at the hospital? Student answers
will vary.
16. What could you invent to help Bethany Hamilton surf or limit
shark attacks on surfers? Draw and/or describe your
invention. Student answers will vary.
17. How can you recognize someone that is motivated and/or
has a good attitude? Student answers will vary.
18. The book and movie about Bethany Hamilton is titled Soul
Surfer. Come up with your own, different title. Student
answers will vary.
19. What does the idiom “top of her game” mean as used in paragraph five? Being the best at what one does.
20. Bethany compares the shark biting off her arm to what?
“…like how you eat a piece of steak.”
Attributions: Surfing image (Creative Commons), Surfing doll (Creative Commons)