Ten fascinating questions. Ten complete nonfiction reading lessons. 100 pages of ready-to-use KS2 reading activities.

This KS2 reading comprehension bundle contains 10 complete lessons for Years 5–6 / Upper KS2, each built around an unusual real-world question designed to spark curiosity and get pupils interested in reading.

From the invention of sliced bread and the strange history of ketchup to Vantablack, guide dogs, airbags and seasickness, the passages explore a wide range of science, history, animals, inventions and everyday life.

The 10 Lessons
Why Was Sliced Bread Invented?
Why Is Ketchup Called Ketchup?
Why Did People Start Wearing Neckties?
How Can Vultures Eat Rotten Meat and Not Get Sick?
Why Are Labradors Used as Guide Dogs?
Why Does the Earth Have Seasons?
How Do Salting and Pickling Preserve Food?
How Black Can Black Be?
How Can an Airbag Inflate So Quickly?
What Causes Seasickness?
Each Complete Lesson Includes
An engaging nonfiction reading passage
Before You Read activities
10 reading comprehension questions
Vocabulary Detective activities
A creative “Your Turn” task
Finished Early? extension work
Extra Challenge activities
A homework option
Full answers

The lessons give pupils practice in retrieval, inference, explanation, vocabulary in context, critical thinking and creative responses, while introducing them to genuinely interesting information about the world around them.

Each lesson is self-contained, so teachers can use the resources in any order. They are suitable for whole-class reading, independent reading, guided reading, literacy lessons, cross-curricular learning, homework and cover lessons.

The variety of topics also makes the bundle useful for teachers looking for regular nonfiction reading activities without having to teach the same subject week after week.

Bundle includes: 10 complete lessons
Total: 100 printable pages
Age range: 9–11 / Years 5–6 / Upper KS2
Full answers included