How We Breathe

About this printable How We Breathe science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 3-5)

This 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the breathing process, aligned with NGSS 4-LS1-1 standards. Students explore how the chest expands and contracts during breathing, the role of lungs in exchanging gases, and why oxygen is essential for the body while carbon dioxide must be removed. The passage uses simple, age-appropriate language and real-world examples to help students understand this vital life process. Audio-integrated features support diverse learners, including English language learners and students with reading difficulties. The lesson includes a simplified differentiated version for struggling readers, Spanish translations of both passages, a comprehensive glossary of key terms, multiple-choice questions testing recall and comprehension, writing activities that encourage application of concepts, and graphic organizers that help students visualize the breathing process. This resource builds foundational understanding of respiratory system functions, preparing students for hands-on investigations and classroom discussions about how body systems work together to maintain life.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

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Sample passage and quiz from How We Breathe

Breathing is the process of moving air in and out of your body. Your body needs to breathe every moment of every day to stay alive. When you breathe in, you bring oxygen into your body, and when you breathe out, you remove carbon dioxide that your body does not need.

Your lungs are two spongy organs inside your chest that do the important work of breathing. When you breathe in, muscles in your chest pull your ribs up and out. This makes your chest get bigger, and air rushes into your lungs through your nose or mouth. Inside your lungs, oxygen—a gas your body needs to work properly—moves into your blood. Think of oxygen like fuel for a car; your body needs it to create energy for running, thinking, and growing.

When you breathe out, your chest muscles relax and your chest gets smaller. This pushes air out of your lungs. The air you breathe out contains carbon dioxide, a waste gas that your body makes when it uses oxygen. Your body must get rid of carbon dioxide because too much of it can be harmful.

Breathing happens automatically, which means you do not have to think about it. You breathe when you are awake, when you are asleep, and even when you are not paying attention. An adult breathes about 12 to 20 times every minute!

Interesting Fact: You take about 20,000 breaths every single day! That means your lungs are working hard all the time, even while you sleep.