Article
Marcelo Chello/ZUMAPRESS.com/Newscom (Wheelie); Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images (Racecar)

Which One Would YOU Like to Drive?

Monster truck or racecar?

By Erin Kelly
From the February 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 480L
Guided Reading Level: K
DRA Level: 16-18
Vocabulary: sleek, wheelies, donuts, stadium, engine
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Think and Read

As you read, think about how monster trucks and race cars are alike and different.

Monster trucks are big, tall, and super heavy. Race cars are sleek, low, and super fast. They are both thrilling to drive! Sure, you’re a kid. But you can dream. Which one would you like to drive?

Monster trucks are big, tall, and super heavy. Race cars are sleek, low, and super fast. They are both thrilling to drive! Sure, you’re a kid. But you can dream. Which one would you like to drive?

Monster Trucks Rule!

Here’s why you’ll want to drive a MONSTER.

Here’s why you will want to drive a monster truck.

It Looks Cool 

Just imagine. Your monster truck has four HUGE tires. They are taller than you.

It has cool designs on it, like flames, a shark, or even a zombie!

Your monster truck has four HUGE tires. The tires are taller than you are. It has cool designs on it too.

Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images

Monster trucks crush cars! 

It Has Awesome Moves

In your monster truck, you drive over cars, trucks, and airplanes.  Tall tires help your truck crush almost anything.

Your monster truck does backflips and wheelies. That’s when you drive on just the back wheels. You also do donuts, or spin in circles.

You race other monsters on dirt tracks too. Your truck can go almost 100 miles per hour.

Your monster truck can drive over cars, trucks, and airplanes. Your huge tires crush almost anything.

Your monster truck does tricks. It can drive on just the back wheels. That is called a wheelie. You can also spin in circles.

You race other monster trucks on dirt tracks. Your truck can go fast.

Marcelo Chello/ZUMAPRESS.com/Newscom

Monster trucks do wheelies. 

It Feels Amazing to Drive

You grip the steering wheel. You’re high above the dirt track. You spin your truck in a donut.

Fans in the stadium cheer. You can’t hear them over the loud engine. The monster spins. You could throw up.

But you grin. You’re driving the monster. There’s nothing better.

You are high above the track. You spin your truck in a circle.

Fans cheer. You can’t hear them over the loud engine.

You’re driving the monster. There’s nothing better!

Racecars Rule!

Here’s why you’ll want to drive this speed machine.

Here’s why you will want to drive a race car.

It Looks Cool 

Your race car has a low, sleek shape. That lets it speed ahead. It has “wings” in front and back. They don’t make the car fly! They keep your super fast car from lifting up into the air. 

Your race car has a low and sleek shape. It has “wings” on the front and back. The wings keep your car from lifting up into the air.

Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

It Has Awesome Power

You start your race car. It takes just four seconds to get up to 100 miles per hour. Before you know it, you’re going around a racetrack at 220 miles per hour. 

What if there’s a car just ahead? No problem! You press a button on the steering wheel. Whoosh. Your race car zooms past it. See ya! 

You start your race car. You’re going around a racetrack at 220 miles per hour.

Do you want to go faster? No problem! You press a button on the steering wheel.

It Feels Amazing to Drive

Cineberg/Shutterstock.com

Race cars rule!

The finish line is close, and you want to win. You push down on the gas pedal. The car speeds ahead.

Fans crowd around the racetrack, but you can’t see them. They are a blur because you’re moving so fast.

You’re driving a race car. What could be better?

The finish line is close. You want to win. Your car speeds ahead.

Fans crowd around the racetrack. You can’t see them because you are going so fast.

You’re driving a race car. What could be better?

Slideshows (1)
Activities (4)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (4) Download All Quizzes and Activities

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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. BEFORE READING

Preview Vocabulary (3-5 minutes)

  • This article’s featured words are sleek, wheelies, donuts, stadium, and engine.

2. READ THE PAIRED TEXTS (10 MINUTES)

  • You can read these articles aloud as a class, in small groups, or individually.
  • Point out that there is a lot to compare about these two vehicles. Note a really important nonfiction text feature: the subheads. The subheads are the same on each side. That helps kids understand how the two cars are alike yet also different.

3. AFTER READING

ELA Focus: Quiz (10 minutes)

ELA Focus: Write to Nosey at [email protected]

  • It’s time to write a letter to Nosey! Print out the Letter to Nosey from the Resources section of our website.
  • The template offer students the chance to do a scaffolded writing activity using information from the article.
  • Kids can take a photo of their letter and email it to Nosey at [email protected]. They can also write to her at that address. She will write back!

ELA Focus: Compare and Contrast (15 minutes)

  • Pass out our Venn diagram to help kids compare and contrast monster trucks and race cars.  

Text-to-Speech