Swimming Secrets

This passage explains how whales move so powerfully and gracefully through the ocean. It describes how their strong tails, or flukes, push them forward with an up-and-down motion that can propel some species, like blue whales, up to 30 miles per hour. Students learn how streamlined bodies, smooth skin, and blubber reduce drag, while fins act like airplane wings to steer and keep balance. The text also explains how whales dive deep for food and then surface to breathe, showing how perfectly their bodies are adapted for life in the water.

Reading this passage strengthens science vocabulary related to movement, such as fluke, streamlined, and drag. Students practice reading comprehension by connecting each body part to its function in swimming and diving. The clear section headings help readers notice nonfiction text features and organize information in their minds. It also supports cause-and-effect thinking, as students see how each adaptation helps whales survive and thrive in their habitat.