How the Body Absorbs Nutrients

About this printable How the Body Absorbs Nutrients science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 3-5)

This 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the process of nutrient absorption in the human body, aligned with NGSS standard 4-LS1-1 and Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.A. Students learn how nutrients—the tiny, useful parts of food—pass from the small intestine into the bloodstream and travel to cells throughout the body. The passage explains how broken-down food moves from the stomach into a long, winding tube where absorption occurs. Using age-appropriate language and relatable examples, students discover why nutrients are essential for energy, growth, and health. The content includes bolded vocabulary terms with immediate definitions, helping students build scientific literacy. Audio-integrated features support diverse learners by providing text-to-speech functionality. Accompanying activities include multiple-choice comprehension questions, short-answer writing prompts, and graphic organizers that reinforce understanding of body systems and processes. A simplified differentiated version ensures accessibility for all reading levels. Spanish translations of both passages support English language learners. This resource provides foundational knowledge necessary for hands-on investigations and classroom discussions about how organisms obtain and use matter and energy to live and grow.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

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Sample passage and quiz from How the Body Absorbs Nutrients

Diagram showing small intestine absorbing nutrients to power the body's cells. — Nutrients move from the small intestine into blood vessels to fuel cells.

After food leaves your stomach, it moves into a long, winding tube called the small intestine. The small intestine is where your body absorbs the useful parts of food. By the time food reaches this tube, it has been broken down into a soupy mixture. This mixture contains nutrients—the tiny pieces of food that your body needs to survive.

Nutrients are important because they give your body energy, help you grow, and keep you healthy. Your body needs nutrients the way a car needs gasoline to run. The small intestine has special walls with tiny finger-like bumps that help absorb nutrients. These bumps are like thousands of little sponges soaking up what your body needs.

Once nutrients pass through the walls of the small intestine, they enter tiny tubes called blood vessels. The blood acts like a delivery truck, carrying nutrients to every cell in your body. Cells are the tiny building blocks that make up your skin, muscles, bones, and organs. Each cell uses nutrients to do its job and keep you alive.

This is the moment when food actually becomes fuel for your body. Without absorption in the small intestine, the food you eat would just pass through without helping you at all.

Interesting Fact: Your small intestine is about 20 feet long—that's longer than most cars! If you stretched it out, it would be taller than a two-story building.