Table of Contents

Wetlands Reading Comprehension

Pages 2 - 4

Scaffolded Questions
Pages 5 - 7

On-Level Questions
Pages 8 - 10

Extension Activity
Pages 11 - 14

Answer Key
Pages 15 - 17
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Wetlands
Reading Comprehension
The reading passage introduces students
to wetlands. It gives a description of the
different types of wetlands, discusses
wetland plant and animal adaptations, and
explains what threatens to destroy
wetlands.

This is a longer reading passage,

particularly for younger grades. Support
students as needed.

The pictures included in this reading

passage are in color, but you can print
them in gray scale to save ink.

Students will still be able to get the

information necessary if you print the
pictures in gray scale.

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Wetlands
Wetlands are the most underappreciated biome in our world. Most people
do not understand the importance of the wetland biome; some people even
refer to wetlands as wastelands. However, wetlands are home to a huge
variety of plants and animals, and they are valuable to humans as well. Without
wetlands, Earth would change for the worse.
What is a Wetland?
A wetland is land that is covered by shallow water for parts of the year.
Sometimes the water is there for only parts of the year, but some wetlands
are covered by water all of the time. The water in a wetland can be freshwater
or saltwater, depending on the location. Some wetlands even have a mix of
freshwater and saltwater! This brackish water is home to some unique
creatures.
Wetlands usually are found in low-lying areas near rivers, lakes, streams,
or oceans. These areas, where land and water meet, are an important
protection against flooding. They are like a giant sponge, absorbing water when
there is too much, and releasing it when water is needed.
Swamp Marsh
A
A
wetland
wetland
with
with
reeds
many
and
trees
grasses

Bog

A wetland
that is a
pool of
acidic
water

Wetland Plants
Plants that are able to grow in the moist wetland biome are called
hydrophytes. These plants have special adaptations that allow them to grow
underwater or float on top of the water. Some plants commonly found in
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
wetland areas include water lilies, cattails, swamp dogwood, loosestrife, reed
grass, and many more. Some trees, including mangroves and cypress trees,
have also adapted to the wet conditions of wetlands.
Wetland Animals
Most people do not realize that wetlands have a very diverse animal
population. They are home to all sorts of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and
shellfish. Depending on the location of the wetland, you might find frogs, toads,
alligators, newts, crocodiles, woodpeckers, beavers, muskrats, kingfishers,
egrets, herons, oysters, clams, crabs, and many other animals.
Alligators have several adaptations that make them very well suited for
life in a wetland habitat. For example, an alligator’s eyes, ears, and nostrils are
on top of its head, making it easy for them to hide in the water while still
breathing, seeing, and hearing. When alligators are resting in the water, they
are camouflaged to look like a log floating.
Another animal
perfectly suited for life in
a wetland is the
mudskipper. A mudskipper
is a fish that can go back
and forth between water
and land! Mudskippers
have gills that they use to
breath while underwater.
When leaving the water,
these fish fill their
oversized gill chambers
with water so
that it can breathe even when on land. These fish must remain moist when out
of the water, so they often roll in puddles or keep their tails in the water. They
use their arm-like fins to “skip” around while on land.

Destruction of Wetlands
Wetlands are being destroyed at an alarming rate because people do not
recognize their importance. Wetlands are constantly being torn down in order
to build houses or drainage systems. Pollution also has had terrible effects on
wetlands, with sewage, fertilizer, road salts, pesticides, and other harmful
substances dirtying wetland waters. Overfishing in wetland areas causes
problems as well.
The most important thing you can do to protect wetlands is to educate
yourself and others. When people begin to understand the importance of the
wetland biome, more efforts will be made to protect it.

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Scaffolded Questions
The questions in this section are
scaffolded to help you differentiate. This
section will help support your lower level
students or ELL learners.

There are two levels of scaffolding:

1. The question tells students which

section to go to to find the answer.

2. Sentence starters are provided to help

students when answering the questions.

Other than the two levels of scaffolding

listed above, these questions are the
same as the on-level questions.

The answer key on pages 15 – 17 applies to

this section of questions as well as the
on-level section of questions.

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________

Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. Reread the first paragraph. What does the author think about wetlands? How do you
know?
The author thinks that wetlands are _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________. I know this because __________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Reread the section titled “What is a Wetland?” What is brackish water?

Brackish water is ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

3. Reread the section titled “What is a Wetland?” How do wetlands help protect against
flooding?
Wetlands protect against flooding by ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

4. Reread the section titled “Wetland Plants.” What are hydrophytes?

Hydrophytes are ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

5. Look at the diagram titled “Types of Wetlands.” What is the difference between a
swamp and a marsh?
Swamps are ________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________, while marshes are ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions
6. Reread the sections titled “Wetland Plants” and “Wetland Animals.” Use that
information to fill in the chart below.

Animals Found in Wetlands Plants Found in Wetlands

7. Reread the section titled “Wetland Plants.” How is a mudskipper different from other
fish?
Mudskippers are different from other fish because ________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

8. Which animal has adapted better to the wetlands, an alligator or a mudskipper? Use at
least two details from the reading passage to prove your answer.
A _____________________________________ has adapted better to the wetlands because
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
Furthermore, ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

9. Reread the section titled “Destruction of Wetlands.” What can you do to help protect
wetlands from being destroyed?
To protect wetlands from being destroyed, I can ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

10. What picture should the author add to this reading passage? Why?
The author should add a picture of ________________________________________ because
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
On-Level Questions

The questions in this section are more

straightforward than the questions in
the Scaffolded Questions section.
These questions and answers do not
have any scaffolding to support
students.

Students are given a question and

expected to write a short answer in a
complete sentence.

The answer key on pages 15 – 17 applies

to this section of questions as well as
the Scaffolded Questions section.

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________

Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. What does the author think about wetlands? How do you know?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is brackish water?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. How do wetlands help protect against flooding?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are hydrophytes?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions

6. Use the information from the reading passage to fill in the chart below.

Animals Found in Wetlands Plants Found in Wetlands

7. How is a mudskipper different from other fish?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

8. Which animal has adapted better to the wetlands, an alligator or a mudskipper? Use at
least two details from the reading passage to prove your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

9. What can you do to help protect wetlands from being destroyed?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

10. What picture should the author add to this reading passage? Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Extension Activity

This extension activity has students

write a nonfiction article about the
wetlands. Students are required to use
vocabulary from the reading passage in
their article.

A rubric is provided for easy grading.

Student Instructions and Writing Paper

Pages 12-13

Rubric
Page 14

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________

Wetlands:
Extension Activity
Write a nonfiction article about wetlands. Use the information from the reading passage to
help you include accurate details. Be sure to include all of the words below in your article.

brackish adaptations
shallow pollution
flooding plants
hydrophytes animals

Title: ____________________________________________

By: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
E

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_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Wetlands Article:
Grading Rubric

Student Name: ___________________________

3 points 2 points 1 point

The student included

The student included few or none of the
The student included all of the required wetland required wetland
Vocabulary the required wetland related words, but related words. Most
related words correctly. some of them were of the wetland related
used incorrectly. words included were
used incorrectly.

The student showed a The student showed

The student showed
thorough understanding of some understanding of
very limited
Accuracy wetlands. All of the wetlands. Some of the
understanding of
information regarding information regarding
wetlands.
wetlands was accurate. wetlands was incorrect.

The article follows a

mostly logical The article is not in a
The article follows a
sequence. The student logical sequence, and
logical sequence and
Organization attempts to use it is very difficult to
paragraphs are utilized
paragraphs, but they understand what the
appropriately.
are not utilized student intended.
appropriately. .

There are many errors

in spelling,
There are several
capitalization,
There are very few errors errors in spelling,
punctuation, and
Conventions in spelling, capitalization, capitalization,
grammar. Because of
punctuation, and grammar. punctuation, or
these errors, the
grammar.
essay is very difficult
to read.

Total Points out of 12:

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Answer Key

This answer key applies to both the

Scaffolded Questions (pages 5 – 7)
and the On-Level Questions (pages
8 – 10).

Some of the questions encourage

higher level thinking and do not
have one correct answer. If that is
the case, it has been noted that
“Answers Will Vary.” When grading
these questions, make sure
students defend their thinking in a
logical way.

© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________

Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. What does the author think about wetlands? How do you know?
The author believes wetlands are important to the Earth and undervalued. I
_____________________________________________________________________________________
know this because the author states that “ Most people don’t understand the
_____________________________________________________________________________________
importance of the wetland biome“ and that “Without wetlands, Earth would
_____________________________________________________________________________________
change for the worse.”

2. What is brackish water?

Brackish water is a mix of freshwater and saltwater.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. How do wetlands help protect against flooding?

Wetlands protect against flooding because they are like a giant sponge.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
When there is too much water, they can absorb the extra water and release it
_____________________________________________________________________________________
later.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are hydrophytes?

Hydrophytes are plants with special adaptations that help them survive in
_____________________________________________________________________________________
wetlands. These plants are able to grow underwater or float on top of water.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

A swamp has many trees, while a marsh has mostly reeds and tall grasses.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.
Wetlands:
Reading Comprehension Questions

6. Use the information from the reading passage to fill in the chart below.

Animals Found in Wetlands Plants Found in Wetlands

frogs, toads, alligators, newts, water lilies, cattails, swamp
crocodiles, woodpeckers, dogwood, loosestrife, reed
beavers, muskrats, kingfishers, grass, cypress trees,
egrets, herons, oysters, clams, mangroves
crabs, mudskippers

7. How is a mudskipper different from other fish?

Mudskippers are different from other fish because they can go back and forth
_____________________________________________________________________________________
between land and water.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

8. Which animal has adapted better to the wetlands, an alligator or a mudskipper? Use at
least two details from the reading passage to prove your answer.
Answers will vary. Make sure students defend their answers with at least 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
details from the passage.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

9. What can you do to help protect wetlands from being destroyed?

To protect wetlands from being destroyed, the most important thing I can do
_____________________________________________________________________________________
is to educate myself and others on the importance of wetlands.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

10. What picture should the author add to this reading passage? Why?
Answers will vary. Make sure students defend their answers.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
© 2016 Kalena Baker: Teaching Made Practical. All rights reserved.