Reading in Science: Newton's Third Law

Six short science passages that build Newton's third law step by step, each targeting a different reading-comprehension skill. The set moves from what the third law says (for every action, an equal and opposite reaction) through force pairs, equal-and-opposite forces, and the key idea that the two forces act on different objects, then finishes with real-world examples and identifying a true action-reaction pair. It is the reading anchor for a TEKS 6.7C unit.

What's Included

• 6 illustrated passage cards, each with a labeled reading skill and comprehension questions:
• 1 - What Is Newton's Third Law? (main idea) · 2 - Force Pairs (supporting details) · 3 - Equal and Opposite (compare & contrast) · 4 - Acting on Different Objects (cause & effect) · 5 - The Third Law in Action (inference) · 6 - Spotting a Force Pair (draw conclusions)
• Full answer key with explanations
• 4-page letter-size PDF, no prep

How It Helps You Teach

• Covers the core 6.7C skill: identify force pairs that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction from interactions between objects
• Builds RI.6.1-6.4 reading skills at the same time: main idea, supporting details, compare/contrast, cause/effect, inference, and drawing conclusions
• Confronts the big misconceptions head-on: action-reaction forces don't cancel (they act on different objects), and forces are equal even when objects differ in size

Pair It With

The reading anchor of the Newton's Third Law set, alongside Context Clues, Inferences, the Pair or Not a Pair sort, and Science in the News. Check out our library for the full set.

Perfect for 6th grade physical science, science reading and reading comprehension practice, science literacy, a forces unit review, and TEKS 6.7C / NGSS MS-PS2-1 support. Topics include: Newton's third law, action and reaction, force pairs, equal and opposite forces, and forces and motion.

Standards: TEKS 6.7C (identify simultaneous force pairs that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction from interactions between objects, using Newton's Third Law of Motion); NGSS MS-PS2-1; DCI PS2.A (Forces and Motion); CCSS RI.6.1-6.4. Part of the Daily Science series by Workybooks.