Teach Critical Literacy Through Authentic Texts

Engaging upper primary students in reading comprehension activities can be a real challenge for teachers. That’s why linking learning experiences to the real world is so important. At Teach Starter, we understand this need… that’s why we’ve created this engaging critical literacy project specifically aimed at Year 5 and Year 6 students!

In this project, students are presented with the following scenario:

Your annual school camp is fast approaching, and your teacher needs your help! They cannot decide whether to return to the same facility as last year, Mountain Breeze Outdoor Education Centre, or whether it is time to find a new location. 

To assist with the decision, your teacher has asked everyone in your class to read two texts. The first text is the promotional brochure distributed by the current camp facility. The second text is a website review of the facility written by a student who has recently returned from their school camp.

To complete this critical literacy activity, students will read, analyse and compare two texts using their critical reading skills. Based on the information provided and their own inferences, they will decide whether their class should return to Mountain Breeze Outdoor Education Camp this year.  They must then write a paragraph to their teacher that explains and justifies their decision.

This resource downloads in the following file formats:

• Black-and-white PDF file
• Colour PDF file
• Black-and-white Google Slides file
• Colour Google Slides file

One Task, Multiple Critical Literacy Strategies!

This resource has been designed by one of our experienced teachers to help you address and teach multiple critical literacy strategies through a singular project. By exploring and comparing two different texts about the same outdoor education facility, students will develop key comprehension and critical thinking skills. Some of these include:

• Making predictions using visual and textual clues
• Drawing inferences by reading between the lines
• Summarising key ideas in their own words
• Identifying bias and persuasive language
• Comparing multiple texts on the same topic
• Evaluating the reliability and usefulness of information
• Applying their own knowledge and experiences
• Justifying decisions using evidence and reasoning

Download This Critical Literacy Project Today!

Are you ready to bring comprehension skills to life in your classroom? Let’s get started!

Use the Download button to access your preferred version of this critical literacy reading task. Note that if you select one of the Google Slides files, you will first be prompted to make a copy to your own Google Drive.

For sustainability purposes, please consider printing the project booklet double-sided. 

More Resources for Teaching Critical Literacy Skills

In the age of fake news and AI-generated content, it is more important than ever to teach our students critical literacy skills! Click below to access more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when teaching this key skill to your students.

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How to Identify Bias Teaching Slides

Teach your students how to identify bias in writing with this engaging slide deck, designed to help upper primary students develop critical reading skills.

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Analysing News Articles Inquiry Project

Spark curiosity and critical thinking by analysing news articles through an engaging inquiry project that helps students understand how context shapes the news we read.

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Analysing Text Context Worksheet Pack

Explore text context using this engaging set of comics designed to help students uncover the historical, social and cultural meaning behind the texts they read.