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Dim the Lights for Songbirds worksheet preview

Worksheet

Dim the Lights for Songbirds

Read an original opinion article about turning off extra lights for songbirds that fly at night. Find the author's view and compare it with your own.

Grade 3ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toRI.3.6

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 8 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 3
Subject
ELA
Question types
Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students identify the author's point of view in an opinion article.
  • Students tell how their own point of view and other readers' views differ from the author's.

How to use

Read the article aloud, then talk about what the author wants readers to do before students answer. Let students share their own views at the end.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

RI.3.6

Distinguish your own point of view from the author's point of view.

Preview

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Name Date

Dim the Lights for Songbirds

Find the author's point of view and compare it with your own.

Read the article

Read the article. The paragraphs are numbered.

Dim the Lights for Songbirds

1Every spring and fall, many songbirds travel long distances. Some fly between summer homes in the north and winter homes in the south. Many of these birds travel at night, when the air is often cooler and calmer.

2Many birds that fly at night use the stars to help find their way. Bright city lights can confuse them. Some birds circle around lit buildings until they are worn out. Others fly into windows.

3I think every town should turn off extra lights at night when songbirds are traveling. It is one of the easiest ways people can help birds. Families can close their curtains and switch off porch lights they do not need. Office buildings can turn off lights on empty floors.

4Some people say that bright lights help them feel safe at night. That is true, and I do not think we should turn off every light. Streetlights can stay on. But a sign glowing over an empty parking lot at midnight does not help anyone.

5Turning off a light takes only a second. For a tired bird flying over a city, it could make a big difference. Let's give the songbirds a dark sky to follow.

The author's point of view

Use the article to answer each question.

1.
What is the author's point of view?
  • A. Every light in town should be turned off all night.
  • B. Towns should turn off extra lights to help songbirds.
  • C. Songbirds should stay away from cities at night.
  • D. Bright lights help both people and birds stay safe.
2.
Read paragraph 3 again. Underline the sentence that states the author's point of view.

I think every town should turn off extra lights at night when songbirds are traveling.It is one of the easiest ways people can help birds.Families can close their curtains and switch off porch lights they do not need.Office buildings can turn off lights on empty floors.

3.
Which sentence from the article is a fact, not the author's opinion?
  • A. It is one of the easiest ways people can help birds.
  • B. Let's give the songbirds a dark sky to follow.
  • C. Many birds that fly at night use the stars to help find their way.
  • D. I think every town should turn off extra lights at night when songbirds are traveling.
4.
Would the author agree or disagree with each idea? Sort the ideas.
Office buildings should keep every floor lit all night.Streetlights can stay on at night.Bright city lights can confuse birds that fly at night.Every light in town should be turned off.A glowing sign over an empty lot at midnight is useful.Families can help by closing their curtains.
The author would agreeThe author would disagree

Other points of view

Compare the author's point of view with other views, including your own.

5.
In paragraph 4, what different point of view does the author tell about?
  • A. Some people feel safer at night when lights are bright.
  • B. Some people think birds should not fly over cities.
  • C. Some people think streetlights are too dim to see by.
  • D. Some people like to watch birds circle around buildings.
6.
How does the author answer that different point of view?
  • A. The author says those people are wrong and all lights must go off.
  • B. The author changes that opinion and says all lights should stay on.
  • C. The author says birds can learn to fly around bright lights.
  • D. The author agrees in part and says streetlights can stay on.
7.
A student named Tomasz wrote: "Birds are smart. They will learn to fly around bright buildings, so towns do not need to change anything." How is Tomasz's point of view different from the author's?
  • A. Tomasz thinks birds should travel in the daytime, but the author wants them to fly at night.
  • B. Tomasz thinks towns do not need to change, but the author wants towns to turn off extra lights.
  • C. Tomasz thinks every light should go off, but the author wants all the lights to stay on.
  • D. Tomasz thinks birds use the stars, but the author says birds use city lights to find their way.
8.
What is your own point of view about turning off extra lights at night for songbirds? Give one reason. Then tell how your view is the same as or different from the author's.

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