Diversity and Inclusion Reading Comprehension Passages — Grade 2

About this resource

Learning a new classmate’s name is a kind of welcome. These diversity and inclusion reading comprehension passages give Grade 2 readers ten short texts at F&P levels K–M, with zebras, a lunch circle and the story of Ruby Bridges. The set builds Social Awareness, one of the five CASEL competencies, by showing second graders what belonging looks like at school.

What students practice

• Noticing who is left out at lunch or play
• Greeting a difference with curiosity
• Being a welcomer: asking, making room, offering help
• Understanding that differences make a group stronger
• Communicating across languages with gestures and kindness

What’s inside

• 10 passages at F&P levels K–M, in a mix of how-to guides, science texts and real-world features
• 5 multiple-choice questions per passage
• 2 open-ended questions per passage for written answers or discussion
• Teacher’s Copy (11 pages) with each inclusion passage beside its questions and the correct answers marked
• 33-page student file with an overview of all 10 passages, their levels and SEL focus

A look inside

• The New Kid’s Name: a classmate takes the time to learn a name others find hard to say.
• Why Zebras All Have Stripes—But None Are the Same: belonging as part of a group.
• Meet Laila: The Language Bridge: she speaks two languages and helps new classmates feel understood.
• The Story of Ruby Bridges: an age-appropriate account of her courage.
• The Playground Language Mix-Up: solved with drawings, gestures and kindness.

How to use these inclusion reading passages

• Small-group reading at levels K–M, then a talk about how characters welcome a newcomer
• Partner reading with the open-ended questions as a talk about what each student could do to include someone
• SEL reading comprehension: read How to Be a Welcomer and talk about ways to include someone
• Morning work or homework, checked with the Teacher’s Copy

Grade fit

Written for Grade 2 readers, with levels from K to M. They are reading passages with questions set in lunch lines and on playgrounds, with names, languages and lunch tables that second graders know.

Digital version

With the interactive digital version, you share one link and students read each passage and answer the questions on any device, with no student logins. At the end they download an answer sheet to hand in.

Pairs well with

For more inclusion activities, try Diversity and Inclusion Conversation Cards — Morning Meeting Questions for morning meeting or Diversity and Inclusion Task Cards for short written prompts.