Article
PRILL Mediendesign/Alamy Stock Photo (First Car); Shutterstock.com (BOY); Courtesy of Klein Vision (AirCar); Shutterstock.com (GIRL)
Paired Texts,

A Flying Car?

Cars have changed so much since they were first made. Read on to find out more!

By Catherine Schmitt
From the September 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will compare and contrast information from two texts about one of the first cars ever made and one of the first flying cars ever made.

Complexity Factors
  • Structure
    Both texts are narrative nonfiction.
  • Language
    There are some challenging domain-specific words that are defined on the page.
  • Knowledge Demands
    No previous knowledge is necessary. Some familiarity with cars or driving may aid comprehension.
Lexiles: 600L-700L; Easier Level
Featured Skill: Compare and Contrast,
Other Key Skills: synthesizing, vocabulary, setting, cause and effect, key details, main idea, supporting details, summarizing, point of view, text features, author’s purpose, explanatory writing
Standards
  • Common Core
    RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.6, RI.3.7, RI.3.9, W.3.2, SL.3.1, SL.3.2, L.3.6
  • TEKS Grade 3
    1a, 1c, 3a, 3b, 4, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7f, 7g, 9di, 9dii, 9diii, 10a, 10c, 10e, 12b

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  • On Level
  • Easier Level
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Easier Level
Think and Read: Compare and Contrast

As you read about two cars, think about how they are alike and how they are different. 

First Car

Making History

Making History

Guten Tag! That’s how people say hello in Germany, the country I’m from. My name is Motorwagen. I’m one of the first automobiles, or cars. A man named Karl Benz invented me back in 1886.

I look pretty different from the cars you see today. I have three giant wheels. And you’d better hold on to your hat . . . because I don’t have a roof! 

Guten Tag! That’s how people say hello in Germany. Germany is a country. It’s where I’m from. 

My name is Motorwagen. I’m one of the first automobiles, or cars. A man named Karl Benz invented me in 1886.

I look pretty different from the cars you see today. I have three giant wheels. And you’d better hold on to your hat. I don’t have a roof! 

Easier to Get Around

Easier to Get Around

Once people saw what I could do, they fell in love with me. Why? I made life more convenient. Before I was invented, the best way to get around was to walk, bike, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage. I made it easier to get to work, shops, and fun new places. 

People saw what I could do. And they loved me. Why? I made life more convenient. Before I was invented, the best way to get around was to walk, bike, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage. I made it easier to get to work, shops, and fun new places. 

Just the Beginning

Just the Beginning

By the early 1900s, I was cooler than ever. Benz gave me four wheels for a smoother ride. Word about me spread across Europe and to America. Inventors around the world began creating new types of automobiles. 

Today there are more than 1 billion cars on the road. I paved the way for the cars you know and love today . . . and the cars of the future!

By the early 1900s, I was cooler than ever. Benz gave me four wheels for a smoother ride. People in Europe and America heard about me. Inventors around the world started making cars.

Today there are more than 1 billion cars on the road. I made it possible for the cars you know today to be invented . . . and the cars of the future! 

Flying Car 

Minutes Away

Minutes Away

Hello down there! My name is AirCar. I’m one of the world’s first flying cars. The movie theater, the ice cream shop, and even your best friend who lives across town could be minutes away . . . thanks to me! 

Hello down there! My name is AirCar. I’m one of the world’s first flying cars. The movie theater, the ice cream shop, and even your best friend who lives across town could be minutes away. That’s all because of me!

Ready for Takeoff

Ready for Takeoff

I  look like a plane when I’m in the clouds. But I can drive on the street too! 

I have four wheels like a regular car. And with the click of a button, I begin to transform. In just a few minutes, two wings unfold from my sides and I’m ready for takeoff! 

I  look like a plane when I’m in the clouds. But I can drive on the street too! 

I have four wheels like a regular car. And with the click of a button, I begin to transform. In just a few minutes, two wings unfold from my sides. Then I’m ready for takeoff! 

Into the Future

Into the Future

I am being built in a country called Slovakia. But I’m not the only flying car. Inventors all over the world are designing cars like me. (People are even dreaming up flying buses!)

You won’t see me in the sky just yet though. There is still a lot of work to do before flying cars fill the skies. Right now, experts are putting us through test flights to make sure we’re safe. 

But one day, kids around the world could be soaring to school in cars like me. And who knows what the future of cars will be like? The sky is the limit! 

I am being built in a country called Slovakia. But I’m not the only flying car. Inventors all over the world are designing cars like me. (People are even dreaming up flying buses!)

You won’t see me in the sky just yet though. There is still a lot of work to do before flying cars are in the sky. Right now, experts are putting us through test flights to make sure we’re safe. 

But one day, kids around the world could be soaring to school in cars like me. And who knows what the future of cars will be like? The sky is the limit! 

THINK AND WRITE

How are these two cars alike? How are they different? Answer in a well-organized paragraph. 

THINK AND WRITE

How are these two cars alike? How are they different? Answer in a well-organized paragraph. 

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Can't-Miss Teaching Extras

Travel back in time to read about another life-changing invention (like the automobile!) in “The History of Television/Television Transformed.” Then students can compare and contrast changes in technology over time.

There are more inventions where that came from! Learn about the fascinating (and slightly smelly) history of the toilet in “The Greatest Invention Ever/ A New Kind of Toilet.” 

Stay in the clouds with two flying-related stories: “Vanished,” the thrilling mystery of Amelia Earhart, and “Bessie the Brave,” the inspiring history of the world’s first Black and Native American female pilot. 

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Preparing to Read

2. Close Reading

3. SEL Focus

4. Skill Building and Writing

5. Differentiate and Customize

Struggling Readers, Multilingual Learners, Advanced Readers, Creative Writing

1. Preparing to Read

Introduce the Text and Preview Text Features

  • Ask students to predict what this article will be about based on the title, subtitle, and artwork on page 19. Review the predictions after reading.

Set a Purpose for Reading

  • Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 19 and the Think and Write box on page 21.
  • Remind students to keep these prompts in mind while reading the story.

Introduce Featured Skill

  • Build off the Think and Read prompt by explaining this story’s featured skill: Compare and Contrast. Encourage students to look for ways in which the Motorwagen and the AirCar are similar to and different from each other.

Introduce Vocabulary

  • Show or assign the Vocabulary Slideshow to preview challenging words. Then assign the Vocabulary Skill Builder before or after reading. 

2. Close Reading

Reading and Unpacking the Text

  • Read the story as a class or have students follow along as they listen to the Read-Aloud.
  • Project or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions.

Close-Reading Questions 

  • Read the first section of “First Car.” Why is 1886 an important year in the history of automobiles? The year 1886 is important in the history of automobiles because it’s the year when Karl Benz invented the Motorwagen, one of the first cars. (key detail)
  • Read “Easier to Get Around.” How did the car change life for many people? The car changed life for many people by making it easier for them to get to work, shops, and new places. (main idea)
  • Read “Just the Beginning.” Which supporting details from the section describe how automobiles changed in the early 1900s? Karl Benz designed a Motorwagen with four wheels for a smoother ride. News about the car spread across Europe and to America. Then inventors around the world began to create new types of automobiles. (supporting details)
  • Read the first section of “Flying Car.” How is the AirCar different from the Motorwagen? The AirCar is different from the Motorwagen because it is one of the world’s first flying cars. (compare and contrast, synthesizing)
  • Read “Ready for Takeoff.” How does the AirCar change from a car into a plane? The AirCar changes from a car into a plane at the click of a button that makes two wings unfold from its sides. (cause and effect, summarizing) 
  • Read “Into the Future.” What must happen before flying cars fill the skies? Experts need to make sure flying cars are safe by putting these cars through test flights. (key detail)
  • From which point of view is the article “First Car” written? From which point of view is the article “Flying Car” written? The article “First Car” is written from the point of view of the Motorwagen. The article “Flying Car” is written from the point of view of the AirCar. (point of view)

Critical-Thinking Questions 

  • How do the photographs of the Motorwagen and the AirCar help you understand the differences between both cars? The photograph of the Motorwagen shows the car has three wheels and no roof. The photograph of the AirCar shows the wings and wheels of this car of the future. (text features, synthesizing)
  • Why do you think author Catherine Schmitt chose to write these articles? Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think that Catherine Schmitt wrote these articles to describe how cars have changed over time. One of the first cars ever made had only three wheels and no roof. Cars have become more advanced since then. The AirCar is a car that can drive on the road and also fly. These articles both show how cars have made people’s lives easier. (author’s purpose) 

3. Skill Building and Writing

Featured Skill: Compare and Contrast

  • Distribute or digitally assign the Compare and Contrast Skill Builder.

  • Ask students to write a response to the prompt in the Think and Write box on page 21. 

Differentiate and Customize
For Striving Readers

Have students read the Easier-level version of the articles. Work with students in a small group to complete a Venn diagram about how the Motorwagen and the AirCar are similar and different.

For Multilingual Learners

The paired texts contain domain-specific terms that might be unfamiliar to your multilingual learners. Before having students read the articles, go over the following terms: automobiles, invented, convenient, horse-drawn carriage, paved, regular, transform, unfold, takeoff, designing, experts, and soaring. With your students, review the definition of each term. You might show the vocabulary slideshow to reinforce the meaning of the vocabulary terms bolded in the texts.

For Advanced Readers

Invite students to do more research on another type of transportation (it can be a different type of car!). Students should share what they learned with the class, including details about how this mode of transportation is similar to or different from the Motorwagen or the AirCar.

For Pairs of Students

Point out the descriptive details in the second paragraph of the first text. Ask students how these details help them imagine the candies that are being described. Then have students work in pairs to practice using descriptive details. Each pair should choose two types of food and work together to create a sentence for each food that vividly describes it. Challenge students to craft sentences that include details related to as many senses as possible. How does their food look, taste, feel, smell . . . even sound?

Text-to-Speech