Help your students develop deeper comprehension with our meaningful The Speedy Sloth: Making Connections activity. Designed to accompany a whole class reading of The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young, this resource encourages students to make powerful connections between the text and their own experiences, other texts, and the world around them.

These no-prep comprehension worksheets support the development of essential reading strategies by guiding students through text to self, text to text, and text to world connections. By using their prior knowledge alongside clues from the story, students will better understand the characters, events, and themes of the book. This is an excellent tool for enhancing understanding and building confidence in responding to literature.

A wide range of worksheet options are included to suit your class’s needs. Whether students are drawing their connections, writing detailed descriptions, or exploring similarities and differences through Venn diagrams, there’s a version here for every ability level. This makes the activity suitable for whole-class work, small groups, independent learning, or as a go-to resource in your relief folder. It’s a versatile and effective way to check for understanding while encouraging personal and critical thinking.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Make meaningful connections using text to self, text to text, and text to world frameworks
• ✅ Strengthen reading comprehension through reflective thinking
• ✅ Explore similarities and differences using visual organisers
• ✅ Express ideas through drawing, writing, and comparison
• ✅ Develop vocabulary and reasoning when explaining personal connections

What’s Included:

• Seven worksheet options with visual and written formats:
•     - Drawing text to self, text to text, and text to world connections
•     - Drawing and describing connections
•     - Writing only response sheets for all three connection types
•     - Venn diagram for text to self connection
•     - Venn diagram for text to text connection
•     - Venn diagram for text to world connection
•     - Blank Venn diagram for flexible use

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets (select versions based on year level or ability)
• Pencils, crayons, or markers for drawing and writing
• Optional: A3 paper for enlarging templates to provide more space

How to Use:

1. Read The Speedy Sloth together and reflect on the characters, events, and key messages.
2. Introduce the three types of text connections - self, text, and world - with examples.
3. Guide students in choosing the worksheet that best suits their comprehension goal.
4. Allow time for students to draw, describe, or compare their ideas on the worksheet.
5. Encourage discussion and sharing to extend the activity into a class conversation.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a follow-up to a shared reading session to reinforce comprehension strategies
• 💡 Include in literacy rotations for small group or independent response tasks
• 💡 Turn into a whole-class wall display of “Connections to The Speedy Sloth”
• 💡 Encourage oral storytelling by having students explain their connections aloud
• 💡 Pair with guided reading sessions focusing on making connections across texts

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use the Venn diagrams to practise comparison and contrast before writing
• 💛 Laminate blank templates for reuse with whiteboard markers
• 💛 Enlarge to A3 for Foundation students to provide ample drawing and writing space
• 💛 Use as a scribing activity for students developing early literacy skills

Check out more amazing resources related to The Speedy Sloth in our The Speedy Sloth Book PACKAGE.

Available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts.