Electric Vehicles Reading Comprehension

Lesson Plans

Grades3, 4, 5Science, English Language Arts

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by ClimateScience

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What it is

In this reading comprehension activity, students will read an article about electric cars and then answer comprehension questions.
Students will learn about vehicles that use fuel cells and solar cells, and battery electric vehicles.

Teaching tips

Positives

The teacher's guide and student's worksheet can be downloaded and used offline or printed.
The teacher's lesson plan contains answers to the reading comprehension questions.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should have prior knowledge of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy and their pros and cons.
Teachers should review the worksheet and answers before the activity.

Differentiation

This activity could be used in an English language arts class to practice reading comprehension and writing.
Students who live in places where electric cars are not common could research the challenges surrounding electric cars and the infrastructure needed to charge them.
Teachers could use the last question on the worksheet for a creative writing essay on the future of electric cars.
Advanced students, could research the need for utility-scale renewable energy to power the electric grid that powers electric vehicles.
Other resources on this topic include this TED-Ed video on the best fuel for your car, this article on how media messaging affects people's perception of electric cars, and this Khan Academy video on the Clean Air Act.

From the scientist review

This resource will teach students how electric vehicles benefit the planet. The sources offer accurate information on the pros and cons of electric vehicles. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 3, 4, 5
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts
Other types: Articles/Websites, Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: ClimateScience
Authors: ClimateScience
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · 4-ESS3-1. + 6 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

4-ESS3-1.4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
5-ESS3-1.5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
D2.Eco.2.3-5D2.Eco.2.3-5 Identify positive and negative incentives that influence the decisions people make.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.10CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

5-ESS3-1.5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
4-ESS3-1.4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
SS.Econ1.b.4SS.Econ1.b.4 Infer potential incentives in a real-world situation.

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