South America fact file
Research South America: where it is, what it is known for, three interesting facts, and a drawing.
continent
Explore South America
Journey across South America, a vibrant continent of towering Andes peaks, the vast Amazon Rainforest, and ancient historical wonders. Explore engaging reading passages that bring the diverse cultures, unique wildlife, and rich geography of this incredible region directly to your young readers.
26 readings
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Reading passages across South America
Browse every reading connected to South America, including passages from its regions, cities, landmarks, and natural features.
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Explore countries in South America
Continue one level deeper. Each card includes readings and places from everything nested below it.
South America printables & worksheets
Print-and-go South America activities for the classroom or home — ready to download as PDF.
Build a South America workbook Pro
One PDF with the reading passages, puzzles and worksheets you pick — start from a grade level and adjust from there, with the answer keys at the back.
South America KWL chart
Write what you already know about South America, what you want to find out, and what you learned.
South America story map
Plan a story set in South America: characters, setting, problem, what happens first, next, and last, and how it ends.
South America word web
Put South America in the middle and collect words and ideas connected to it.
Compare two things from South America
Use a Venn diagram to compare two places, landmarks, animals, traditions, or other features from South America.
South America acrostic poem
Write an acrostic poem using the letters in the name South America.
South America word game worksheets
Printable word puzzles built from South America words — download as PDF, answer key included.
Easy word search
8×8 grid · 6 words across and down · answer key included
Medium word search
10×10 grid · 8 words with diagonals · answer key included
Tricky word search
12×12 grid · 10 words with backwards words · answer key included
No printer at hand? Play the South America word search right here on screen — free.
About South America
South America is home to the Amazon Rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
The Andes, stretching along the continent's western edge, is the longest continental mountain range on Earth.
The continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Discover a Land of Wonders
South America offers a spectacular backdrop for developing strong reading comprehension and building essential background knowledge. From the high-altitude peaks of the Andes to the dense canopy of the Amazon basin, this continent is filled with diverse ecosystems and rich cultural histories waiting to be explored. By diving into readings about these unique landscapes, young learners can connect geographic features to real-world science and history.
Building Global Literacy
Engaging with South American topics helps K-8 students expand their vocabulary and understand global environments. Exploring the histories of ancient civilizations like the Inca, or studying the unique adaptations of wildlife in the Galapagos and Patagonia, encourages critical thinking. These passages allow educators and parents to integrate social studies and language arts seamlessly, making reading both an adventure and a foundational learning experience.
South America reading map FAQ
What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America by both land area and population.
What major river system flows through South America?
The Amazon River flows across the northern part of the continent and is the largest river in the world by water volume.
Which ancient civilization built Machu Picchu in the Andes?
The Inca Empire built the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu in the 15th century.
What languages are most widely spoken in South America?
Spanish and Portuguese are the two most widely spoken languages on the continent.