What is Hot & Cold? Physics Reading Comprehension 2 Passage & Questions

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Understanding what makes something feel hot or cold unlocks core ideas in thermodynamics, kinetic molecular theory, and energy transfer that appear in NGSS MS-PS3 and HS-PS3 standards, so exploring the topic through two leveled reading passages with question sets equips every middle and high school learner to master these concepts at the right depth. The higher level passage supports learning about Celsius and Kelvin scaling, heat capacity equations, and engineering challenges like thermal tiles on spacecraft, while the lower level passage explains particle motion, conduction, convection, and radiation with everyday examples such as warming soda in a hand or food kept in a refrigerator. Each passage features clearly clear vocabulary, an inspiring image, and scaffolded comprehension questions that progress from basic recall to data analysis and problem solving, seamlessly integrating literacy practice with hands-on STEM inquiry. This differentiated format streamlines lesson planning, reinforces cross curricular reading goals, and sparks curiosity by connecting classroom science to daily experiences and future climate solutions, ensuring no student is left wondering why something feels hot or cold without a solid scientific foundation.

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 What is hot and cold? reading passages with questions provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about What is hot and cold? For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this What is hot and cold? 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 WHAT IS HOT & COLD? 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 WHAT IS HOT AND COLD? 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)

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 WHAT IS HOT AND COLD 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).