Looking for a middle school social studies lesson on Australian geography and history? Australia Informational Text includes a digital and a printable format. The digital format is completely paperless (for use in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Edge). The included printable format is a print-and-go version of the same eight nonfiction reading passages of about 130 words each (around 1,000 words altogether). Each brief informational passage is followed by three text-based questions (24 questions altogether). An answer key for all questions is included.


If you’re searching online for computer-based social studies lessons for your middle school (or homeschool) students, you’ve found them. This lesson resource about Australia is also included in the Continents set. Included:

• Digital, computer-based format: In this format, students can type directly into the file and save their answers. Stunning and compelling images of Australia are built in. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Full digital answer key. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Printable format: Each printable nonfiction passage can stand on its own so you can use one, two, or all eight of them at a time to teach about the geography and history of Australia. (PDF, 9 pages)

• Full printable answer key. (PDF, 9 pages)


Excerpt:

“Species that can only be found in one geographic region are called endemic species. Australia has many of these unique plants and animals. This is because Australia separated a long time ago from the other continents. Plants and animals evolved differently here than in the rest of the world. Kangaroos are a widely-known endemic species of Australia. Kangaroos are a marsupial.  A marsupial is a mammal that is carried in its mother’s pouch, which is on the front of her belly. Wombats, bandicoots, wallabies, and koalas are some of Australia’s other endemic marsupials. All in all, there are over two hundred species of marsupial on Australia and neighboring islands….“

Included Australia Reading Passage Titles:

• The Great South Land

• A Country and a Continent

• The Aborigines

• The Outback

• Shrublands

• A Prison Colony

• The Gold Rush

• Endemic Species

Applicable Grades: 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, homeschool


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