Guided Reading Level H - Gravity Made Simple

Book Snapshot
• Title: Gravity Made Simple
• Genre: Nonfiction (informational)
• Subject: Science (Physical Science / Earth & Space Science)
• Primary Topic: How gravity works on Earth and in space
• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): H

What This Book Teaches Best
• Gravity is a hidden, always-active force that pulls things toward Earth’s center.
• Gravity keeps objects on Earth’s surface—without it, things would float away.
• Gravity keeps the air close to Earth, forming the atmosphere that living things need to breathe.
• Gravity works in space too: Earth’s pull keeps the Moon in an orbit, and the Moon’s gravity affects ocean tides.
• Mass and gravity connect: more mass means a stronger gravitational pull, and weight measures gravity’s pull.

Learning Goals
• Explain what gravity is and what it does to objects on Earth.
• Describe what happens when an object is dropped, according to the text.
• Tell how gravity helps keep objects (and air) close to Earth.
• Describe how Earth’s gravity affects the Moon’s orbit.
• Explain how the Moon’s gravity is connected to tides along the coast.
• Use the text to explain how mass relates to gravitational pull.

Key Vocabulary From the Text
• gravity — a force that pulls things toward Earth.
• atmosphere — the thick layer of air around Earth.
• orbit — the path something takes around a planet.
• mass — how much matter is inside an object.
• tides — ocean water rising and falling along the coast.

Discussion Prompts
• Pre-reading question: What do you think happens when you drop an object?
• Comprehension questions: What does the book say happens when an object is dropped?
• Comprehension questions: What does Earth’s pull do for the Moon’s path around Earth?
• Comprehension questions: What does the book say causes tides along the coast?

Printing Tips

1. Best Printing Method (Recommended)
   “Booklet” Printing (Best if Available)
   If your printer or PDF viewer supports Booklet Printing, use this.
   Settings to use:
   • Print mode: Booklet
   • Paper size: Letter or A4 (either works)
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Print on both sides: Yes
   • Flip on: Short edge
   • Scaling: Fit to printable area
   • Booklet subset:
   o First test: Front sides only
   o Then: Back sides only
   This will automatically:
   • Pair pages correctly
   • Put the cover on the outside
   • Align everything for folding
   After printing, fold in half and staple along the spine.

2. If “Booklet” Printing Is NOT Available
   You can still print this correctly with manual duplex printing.
   Step-by-step:

3. Open the PDF.

4. Choose Print.

5. Set:
   o Orientation: Landscape
   o Pages per sheet: 1
   o Print on both sides: Yes
   o Flip on: Short edge

6. Print all pages.
   Because each PDF page already contains two facing book pages, the result will still fold cleanly into a book.