Firsthand and Secondhand Account Task Cards l Firsthand and Secondhand Passages

This resource is included in the Stellar Literacy Collective. Click here to find out more.

These mini paired passages will help your students identify the difference between firsthand and secondhand accounts. Each topic in this reading task card set has two accounts – one firsthand, and one secondhand. Students will get practice identifying the type of account and being able to identify text clues that helped them figure out the type of account.

Be sure to check out the preview to see pictures and learn more about what is included in this resource.

What’s Included?

This resource includes 20 reading task cards. Each task card contains a short reading passage (half a page) and includes a variety of printing options so you can find the exact format that will work for your students’ needs.

Option 1: Just the Text

• You can print the task cards with just the text. This is a great option if you want to use these reading passages to teach something other than identifying the type of account or if you plan on using them in a traditional task card way.
• There are all three different student response sheets included that you can pair with the task cards.
• There is also a digital version included created Google Slides.

Option 2: Text & Graphic Organizer

• This option needs to be printed front and back.
• One one side students have the reading passage (same as option 1), and on the back there is a graphic organizer to help students identify and analyze the type of account the text is.
• This is a great option to help students organize their thinking about the text and help students compare and contrast the information and details they learn in firsthand and secondhand accounts.
• There is also a digital version included created Google Slides.

Option 3: Text & Reading Response Questions

• This option needs to be printed front and back.
• One side students have the reading passage (same as option 1), and on the other side there is a set of text-based comprehension questions and a space for a sticky note so they can “stop-and-jot” while they read the text.
• There is also a digital version included created Google Slides

*Each option also includes a digital version created using Google Slides so you can use this resource no matter what your teaching situation looks like.

How Can I Use This Resource?

There are TONS of ways you can use this resource in your classroom.

• Print the task cards on cardstock and use them in a literacy center to help your students practice identifying and analyzing types of accounts.
• Use the task card passages as part of your strategy group or small group instruction. They are short and focused and are the perfect small group teaching tool.
• Make a copy of 1-2 of the task cards and give to students are part of your warm-up, morning work, or homework.
• Use as a quick assessment at the end of your lesson or unit on firsthand and secondhand accounts.
• Use for ANY READING COMPREHENSION instruction – while these task cards are perfect for teaching about types of accounts, you can also use them to teach a variety of comprehension skills.

**The resource is also included in The Stellar Literacy Collective.**

What People are saying:

• ✨“Great resource! It helped solidify the concept of firsthand and secondhand accounts for my students.” – Mikella B.
• ✨“This resource is very effective and useful for classroom use; face to face and virtual.” – Ebony M.