Book Snapshot
• Title: The Sport of Fencing
• Genre: Nonfiction (informational)
• Subject: Physical Education / Reading (Informational Text)
• Primary Topic: Fencing gear, swords, and how matches work

• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): M
What This Book Teaches Best
• Basic overview of fencing as a sport, including where it takes place (a long, narrow mat called a “strip”).
• Safety equipment and how it protects fencers (mask, jacket, glove, cuff).
• Differences among the three fencing swords and how points are scored with each (foil, épée, sabre).
• Key fencing moves and positions used in a match (“En Garde” stance, lunge).
• How modern fencing tracks points and how respect is shown before and after matches.

Learning Goals
• Students will describe what fencing looks like and where it takes place using details from the text.
• Students will explain how fencing safety gear protects a fencer during a match.
• Students will compare foil, épée, and sabre by describing how targets and scoring work.
• Students will identify and describe the “En Garde” stance and why it helps movement.
• Students will explain how a lunge helps a fencer reach an opponent to score a point.
• Students will describe how fencing shows respect before and after a match.

Key Vocabulary From the Text
• strip — the long, narrow mat where fencers move.
• foil — a light, flexible sword used in fencing.
• épée — the heaviest fencing sword with the whole body as target.
• sabre — a fast sword that can score with tip or edge.
• lunge — a move stepping forward to reach an opponent.

Discussion Prompts
• Pre-reading question: What safety gear do you think someone would need to fence safely?
• Comprehension questions: Why do fencers wear a fencing mask?
In a foil match, what part of the opponent is the target for scoring points?
What do fencers do before and after a match to show respect?

Printing Tips

1. Best Printing Method (Recommended)
   “Booklet” Printing (Best if Available)
   If your printer or PDF viewer supports Booklet Printing, use this.
   Settings to use:
   • Print mode: Booklet
   • Paper size: Letter or A4 (either works)
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Print on both sides: Yes
   • Flip on: Short edge
   • Scaling: Fit to printable area
   • Booklet subset:
   o First test: Front sides only
   o Then: Back sides only
   This will automatically:
   • Pair pages correctly
   • Put the cover on the outside
   • Align everything for folding
   After printing, fold in half and staple along the spine.

2. If “Booklet” Printing Is NOT Available
   You can still print this correctly with manual duplex printing.
   Step-by-step:

3. Open the PDF.

4. Choose Print.

5. Set:
   o Orientation: Landscape
   o Pages per sheet: 1
   o Print on both sides: Yes
   o Flip on: Short edge

6. Print all pages.
   Because each PDF page already contains two facing book pages, the result will still fold cleanly into a book.