Can Trains Float? Physics Reading Comprehension 2 Passage & Questions

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Magnetic levitating trains turn abstract physics ideas into real-world excitement, making them an ideal focus for middle and high school lessons on forces, energy, and engineering under standards such as NGSS MS-PS2 and HS-PS3. A resource that presents the topic through two leveled reading passages with question sets lets every student explore how opposing magnetic fields lift a train above its track, why reduced friction boosts efficiency, and how superconductors can enable record-breaking speeds. Both include clear vocabulary support, and scaffolded questions that progress from simple recall to data analysis and design thinking, integrating literacy practice with STEM inquiry in one flexible package. The result is an engaging way to connect classroom science to cutting-edge transportation technology, spark curiosity about future careers, and ensure all learners build a solid foundation in the principles that let trains appear to float.

This tiered approach - offering two sets of guiding reading and questions tailored to each text - builds foundational skills in reading, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry, so you can use the right one for you. Through such structured resources, students develop a deeper appreciation for the processes that create and preserve this incredible natural phenomenon, and gain the scientific literacy necessary to make informed decisions.

This 2 article set of Can trains float? reading passages with questions provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about Can trains float? For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this Can trains float? article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.

The accessible version is geared towards approximately 5th / 6th / 7th grade science students, while the more advanced version is geared towards approximately 8th / 9th / 10th grade science students. This range for both could be extended with prep work or additional materials.

THIS CAN TRAINS FLOAT? ARTICLE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:

Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS CAN TRAINS FLOAT? READING PASSAGE WITH QUESTIONS:

2 - 3 page Word doc image - textboxes teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page Word doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
2 - 3 page PDF teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page PDF student version without answers (but space left to do so)
2 - 3 page Google doc image - textboxes teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page Google doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill answers (text boxes)
New - now including a 3 page Editable Google Slides teacher version (for the advanced version)!

Please note: That the Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.

WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES LIKE THIS CAN TRAINS FLOAT? ARTICLE? MANY ARE AVAILABLE!

I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).