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© 2013 Melissa Mazur www.commoncoreandsomuchmore.com
With comprehension questions
3rd Grade
© Melissa Mazur: Common Core & So Much More
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__________________________________________________
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Tips for Teachers PARENT LETTER:
I will send out this letter once a week with the student passage either stapled to it or copied on the back. Parents will record how they practiced that week and sign to indicate they read with their child. STUDENT PASSAGE:
The student passage does not have the numbered column or the progress tracking on the bottom of the page. The font is larger to make it easier to read. You can send this version home every week for the child to practice. I would also print a copy and laminate it for the classroom. This way, when you test fluency, the students have a durable copy to read from while you track on the teacher’s page. TEACHER PASSAGE:
This passage contains numbers along the side for easy counting and a table to keep track of correct and incorrect words. This can be used daily or as many times as you can fit into your schedule. I would test the students on Monday and Friday to allow them time to practice at home. To keep track of the errors on the different days, I would use a different color of pen each time I tested the fluency so I could easily differentiate errors. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS GRAPHS:
These two graphs, one for fiction and another for nonfiction, will show student progress. If you decide to test your students twice a week, you or the student can record their “cold read” or their first read in blue and their “hot read” after they practice in red. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Use the comprehension questions to quickly assess whether or not the students understand what they are reading. This can be used as homework or immediately after reading the passage.
Dear Parents, Thank you for helping your child
read and understand the weekly
reading fluency passage. Reading at
home will significantly help your child
improve. Thank you for taking an
active role in your child’s reading
development.
• Read with Your Child
Weekly Home Reading Fluency Log Name:________________________________ Date:__________
• Read to Your Child
One of the best ways to become a better reader, writer, and speller is to spend some time reading every day. Please help your child keep track of their weekly reading fluency practice at home. You can use some of the strategies listed on the Post It note above to vary your child’s reading practice. Also, you can ask questions to better determine if your child is understanding what they are reading. Please use the chart below to indicate what strategy your child used to practice reading fluency for the week.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
How did you practice? (Circle all
that apply)
Parent Read
to Child
Child Read to Parent
Parent and Child Read Together
Parent Read
to Child
Child Read to Parent
Parent and Child Read Together
Parent Read
to Child
Child Read to Parent
Parent and Child Read Together
Parent Read
to Child
Child Read to Parent
Parent and Child Read Together
Parent Read
to Child
Child Read to Parent
Parent and Child Read Together
Parent Signature
• Listen to Your
Child Read
Mon
ster in M
y Closet
The Haunted
Mansion
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20
30
40 50
60
70
80
90
100 110
120 130
140 150 160
170
180
190 200
210 220
230
Let’s Play Ba
ll
Stan th
e Lone
ly Snake
Alien in M
y Ce
real
DetecGve Melon
The Sleepy Giant
Dog Days
The Shore
The Sad Story of
Snuffl
es
Goo
dnight Farm
The Forest Princess
The Garde
n
The Storm
Cry in th
e Night
Track your improvement on each fiction reading passage. Color the first column for each story in blue for your cold read. Then, after practicing the fluency passage multiple times, color the second column in red for your hot read.
Fiction – Track Your Improvement! Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Incred
ible Killer
Whale
Black Be
ars and
Grizzly Bears
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20
30
40 50
60
70
80
90
100 110
120 130
140 150 160
170
180
190 200
210 220
230
Pion
eer Days
EgypGa
n Mum
mies
Hon
ey Bees
Bearde
d Dragons
Maple Syrup
Lightning
Earthw
orms
Gho
st Stories
Endangered
Animals
Owls
ArcGc W
olf
Wetland
Won
ders
Sea Turtles
Track your improvement on each nonfiction reading passage. Color the first column for each story in blue for your cold read. Then, after practicing the fluency passage multiple times, color the second column in red for your hot read.
Nonfiction – Track Your Improvement! Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Title Lexile Level Word Count Let’s Play Ball 530 223 Stan the Lonely Snake 540 208 Alien in My Cereal 580 202 Monster in My Closet 630 207 The Haunted House 650 203 Detective Melon 670 214 The Sleepy Giant 680 207 Dog Days 730 202 The Shore 730 206 The Sad Story of Snuffles 770 217 Goodnight Farm 780 210 The Forest Princess 790 215 The Garden 810 203 The Storm 820 198 Cry in the Night 840 198
Fiction Reading Passages
Title Lexile Level Word Count
Pioneer Days 700 204 Egyptian Mummies 710 205 Honey Bees 770 213 The Incredible Killer Whale 780 202 Black Bears and Grizzly Bears 790 196 Bearded Dragons 790 206 Maple Syrup 800 215 Lightning 810 205 Earthworms 810 213 Ghost Stories 810 202 Endangered Animals 810 206 Owls 810 222 Arctic Wolf 820 201 Wetland Wonders 820 204 Sea Turtles 830 207
Nonfiction Reading Passages
Let’s Play Ball The day was perfect. The cloudless sky looked purple against the bright, shining
sun, and the air was hot, but with a refreshing breeze. It was the kind of summer day that
brought people together. Today was no excepGon. The field was freshly cut and raked.
The stands were packed with fans. It was game day.
The pitcher stood tall and ready. She checked her le] and her right, then threw
the first ball. The bat connected with a solid crack that sent the people in the stands
shooGng to their feet. The ba^er dropped her bat and sprinted to first base but was sent
back to the plate when the ball landed two feet outside the base line.
“Foul ball,” yelled the umpire.
The ba^er struck a hi^er’s pose once more. This Gme, the ball whizzed past before
she could swing.
“Strike one!”
The crowd cheered. The pitcher wound up and threw again.
Crack!
The ball soared over the pitcher’s head, flew over the second baseman. and
landed at the back fence. The hi^er ran past first. She zipped around second and
hesitated at third.
“Run, run, run!” The fans in the stands cheered as one.
She slid into home base the same moment the ball hit the catcher’s mi^. For a
moment, the field was sGll.
“Safe!”
The day was perfect.
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46
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70
87
104
118
123
138
141
143
153
154
167
185
186
197
213
218
219
223
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Let’s Play Ball The day was perfect. The cloudless sky looked purple against the
bright, shining sun, and the air was hot, but with a refreshing breeze. It was
the kind of summer day that brought people together. Today was no
excepGon. The field was freshly cut and raked. The stands, packed with
fans. It was game day.
The pitcher stood tall and ready. She checked her le] and her right,
then threw the first ball. The bat connected with a solid crack that sent the
people in the stands shooGng to their feet. The ba^er dropped her bat and
sprinted to first base but was sent back to the plate when the ball landed
two feet outside the base line.
“Foul ball,” yelled the umpire.
The ba^er struck a hi^er’s pose once more. This Gme, the ball
whizzed past before she could swing.
“Strike one!”
The crowd cheered. The pitcher wound up and threw again.
Crack!
The ball soared over the pitcher’s head, flew over the second
baseman, and landed at the back fence. The hi^er ran past first. She zipped
around second and hesitated at third.
“Run, run, run!” The fans in the stands cheered as one.
She slid into home base the same moment the ball hit the catcher’s
mi^. For a moment, the field was sGll.
“Safe!”
The day was perfect.
Let’s Play Ball Comprehension Questions
1. What is the setting of this passage?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What game is being played? What clues from the story
made you think this?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. This is a passage from the text:
“She slid into home base the same moment the ball hit the
catcher’s mitt. For a moment, the field was still.”
Why do you think the field was still?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Stan the Lonely Snake Stan was a snake, and in the big green field, snakes were the most frigheul and the
most important. They slithered where ever they wanted and did whatever they wanted.
Stan had a lot of power, but he was unhappy. No one wanted to be his friend. Not
the birds or the cats, the moles or the rabbits. Even the bu^erflies flew away when he
got close.
Stan was Gred of everyone being afraid of him. He was determined to find a
friend. He traveled across the field and stopped when he saw a bird perched on a tree
branch.
“Would you be my friend?” he asked.
The bird flew away.
Stan stopped again when he saw a beaver by the lake.
“Would you be my friend?” he asked.
The beaver swam away.
Stan was sad. Would he ever find someone brave enough to be his friend?
“Don’t cry,” said a small mouse signg on a rock. “I will be your friend.”
Stan looked at the mouse. He slithered closer.
“You are not afraid of me?” he asked.
“Being different from others does not make you scary, and being a snake does not
make you be^er,” replied the wise mouse, and snake agreed.
He finally had a friend.
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65
67
82
99
100
107
111
122
129
133
147
162
170
178
193
203
208
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Stan the Lonely Snake Stan was a snake, and in the big green field, snakes were the most
frigheul and the most important. They slithered where ever they wanted
and did whatever they wanted.
Stan had a lot of power, but he was unhappy. No one wanted to be
his friend. Not the birds or the cats, the moles or the rabbits. Even the
bu^erflies flew away when he got close.
Stan was Gred of everyone being afraid of him. He was determined
to find a friend. He traveled across the field and stopped when he saw a
bird perched on a tree branch.
“Would you be my friend?” he asked.
The bird flew away.
Stan stopped again when he saw a beaver by the lake.
“Would you be my friend?” he asked.
The beaver swam away.
Stan was sad. Would he ever find someone brave enough to be his friend?
“Don’t cry,” said a small mouse signg on a rock. “I will be your friend.”
Stan looked at the mouse. He slithered closer.
“You are not afraid of me?” he asked.
“Being different than others does not make you scary, and being a
snake does not make you be^er,” replied the wise mouse, and snake
agreed.
He finally had a friend.
Stan the Lonely Snake Comprehension Questions
1. Why do you think nobody wanted to be Stan’s friend?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. How would you describe Stan’s personality?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What is the moral of this story?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Alien in My Cereal Mom and Dad, I cannot eat my cereal. There is an alien in the bowl.
It’s hiding in the milk, backstroking like a pro.
I can see it very clearly, and it really isn’t right.
An alien should not ever be in plain sight.
I cannot finish my breakfast, it is for the best.
UnGl this beast has been captured, I really cannot rest.
How dare this creature crash my cereal? It is not polite.
I won’t give up so easily, not without a fight.
Do you think I should try and save him? Maybe he cannot swim.
Of course, there is a chance he’s on vacaGon. In that case good for him.
SGll, it is my breakfast he has taken, and I cannot allow that.
Drowning or swimming, it does not ma^er, I sGll must set a trap.
The cereal will have to go. I’ll dump it in the trash.
The alien will tumble out with a milky splash.
I’ll take him then and there, and alert the men in charge.
An alien cannot roam our country free and at large.
I cannot eat my cereal. It would not be right.
Maybe I should have a donut, just one li^le bite.
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85
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139
151
160
172
182
192
202
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Alien in My Cereal Mom and Dad, I cannot eat my cereal. There is an alien in the bowl.
It’s hiding in the milk, backstroking like a pro.
I can see it very clearly, and it really isn’t right.
An alien should not ever be in plain sight.
I cannot finish my breakfast, it is for the best.
UnGl this beast has been captured, I really cannot rest.
How dare this creature crash my cereal? It is not polite.
I won’t give up so easily, not without a fight.
Do you think I should try and save him? Maybe he cannot swim.
Of course, there is a chance he’s on vacaGon. In that case good for him.
SGll, it is my breakfast he has taken, and I cannot allow that.
Drowning or swimming, it does not ma^er, I sGll must set a trap.
The cereal will have to go. I’ll dump it in the trash.
The alien will tumble out with a milky splash.
I’ll take him then and there, and alert the men in charge.
An alien cannot roam our country free and at large.
I cannot eat my cereal. It would not be right.
Maybe I should have a donut, just one li^le bite.
Alien in My Cereal Comprehension Questions
1. How does the boy feel about having an alien in his cereal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What are some ways the boy wants to get the alien out of
his cereal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How did the boy finally solve his problem?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Monster in My Closet When my mom tucks me in at night, I make her open my door.
When my dad gives me a hug, I tell him to check my floor.
They both laugh and tell me I worry a lot.
But I know something that they do not.
There is a monster living in my closet.
He comes out late at night when no one else can see.
He tries to eat my toes, tries hard to scare me.
But I am not afraid of him, I am not a coward.
I only want to make a friend; I think I’ll call him Howard.
There is a monster living in my closet.
He slinks around my room and gets into all my stuff.
He eats my hidden candy, he can’t seem to get enough.
I want to catch this monster and make him my new pet.
If I can’t have a dog or cat, he’s as good as it gets.
There is a monster in my closet.
He likes to stay hidden so no one will believe.
But I’m going to set a trap so everyone can see.
That the monster in our home is really very kind,
And that having one for a pet is really very fine.
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77
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102
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121
132
144
158
165
175
186
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207
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Monster in My Closet When my mom tucks me in at night, I make her open my door.
When my dad gives me a hug, I tell him to check my floor.
They both laugh and tell me I worry a lot.
But I know something that they do not.
There is a monster living in my closet.
He comes out late at night when no one else can see.
He tries to eat my toes, tries hard to scare me.
But I am not afraid of him, I am not a coward.
I only want to make a friend; I think I’ll call him Howard.
There is a monster living in my closet.
He slinks around my room and gets into all my stuff.
He eats my hidden candy, he can’t seem to get enough.
I want to catch this monster and make him my new pet.
If I can’t have a dog or cat, he’s as good as it gets.
There is a monster in my closet.
He likes to stay hidden so no one will believe.
But I’m going to set a trap so everyone can see.
That the monster in our home is really very kind,
And that having one for a pet is really very fine.
Monster in My Closet Comprehension Questions
1. Why do the child’s parents laugh when he asks them to
check the floor?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What does the monster do when he comes out at night?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How does the child feel about the monster in this poem?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Haunted House The house stood alone at the end of the street, surrounded by trees that rose high
into the stormy skies. It was shu^ered and closed off from anyone brave enough to get
close. The fence, once white and welcoming, was now graying with age and lack of
a^enGon.
Mac was alone. That was part of the deal. His friends watched from a safe distance
away. He wrenched open the broken gate and walked up the cracked concrete path. His
heart was beaGng so hard and fast, he thought it might carry him away.
“I can do this,” he said in a whisper.
When he reached the door, he could see how pre^y it once looked, though now
the red paint was chipped and faded. Someone had once loved the house. Forgo^en
flower gardens overcome with weeds told him that much.
What were his instrucGons? Knock three Gmes, then run. He tried to ignore his
growing fear. If he had come this far, he could finish the job. His arm shook when he
reached for the rusty metal knocker.
The door swung open with a squeak that sounded more like a sigh. Mac looked
back at his friends one last Gme before he stepped inside.
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140
154
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203
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Haunted House The house stood alone at the end of the street, surrounded by trees
that rose high into the stormy skies. It was shu^ered and closed off from
anyone brave enough to get close. The fence, once white and welcoming,
was now graying with age and lack of a^enGon.
Mac was alone. That was part of the deal. His friends watched from a
safe distance away. He wrenched open the broken gate and walked up the
cracked concrete path. His heart was beaGng so hard and fast, he thought
it might carry him away.
“I can do this,” he said in a whisper.
When he reached the door, he could see how pre^y it once looked
though now the red paint was chipped and faded. Someone had once
loved the house. Forgo^en flower gardens overcome with weeds told him
that much.
What were his instrucGons? Knock three Gmes, then run. He tried to
ignore his growing fear. If he had come this far, he could finish the job. His
arm shook when he reached for the rusty metal knocker.
The door swung open with a squeak that sounded more like a sigh.
Mac looked back at his friends one last Gme before he stepped inside.
The Haunted House Comprehension Questions
1. Describe what the haunted house looked like.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. How do you think Mac felt as he walked up to the house?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What instructions did he have to follow before he could
enter the house?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
DetecGve Melon My name is Mel, but everyone calls me Melon. I like to solve mysteries. The other
kids in my neighborhood think I am a genius, but I’m typically normal. What’s my secret?
I pay a^enGon to the details. It tends to makes a decent detecGve.
The Mystery:
I have a new mystery to solve, but I think I have it figured out. Yesterday Mr.
Walker walked into the corner store and bought a carton of milk, eggs, a loaf of bread,
and one newspaper. He put everything in a bag but the paper, and when he returned
home the paper was missing.
The Details:
I retraced his steps. He paid for his groceries and le]. Then he met an old friend
outside. They shook hands and talked for five minutes. He walked Mrs. Janes across the
street, and it started to rain. He ran to get his mail and then went home.
So where is the missing paper?
I found Mrs. Janes on her porch reading it.
Case Solved:
When Mr. Walker shook his friend’s hand, he moved the paper under his arm. Mrs.
Janes grabbed hold of it to walk across the street, and when the rain started, Mr. Walker
got distracted, leaving Mrs. Janes holding the paper.
It is all in the details.
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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
DetecGve Melon My name is Mel, but everyone calls me Melon. I like to solve
mysteries. The other kids in my neighborhood think I am a genius, but I’m
typically normal. What’s my secret? I pay a^enGon to the details. It tends
to makes a decent detecGve.
The Mystery:
I have a new mystery to solve, but I think I have it figured out.
Yesterday Mr. Walker walked into the corner store and bought a carton of
milk, eggs, a loaf of bread, and one newspaper. He put everything in a bag
but the paper, and when he returned home the paper was missing.
The Details:
I retraced his steps. He paid for his groceries and le]. Then he met
an old friend outside. They shook hands and talked for five minutes. He
walked Mrs. Janes across the street, and it started to rain. He ran to get his
mail and then went home.
So where is the missing paper?
I found Mrs. Janes on her porch reading it.
Case Solved:
When Mr. Walker shook his friend’s hand, he moved the paper under
his arm. Mrs. Janes grabbed hold of it to walk across the street, and when
the rain started, Mr. Walker got distracted, leaving Mrs. Janes holding the
paper.
It is all in the details.
Detective Melon Comprehension Questions
1. How is Detective Melon able to solve mysteries better than
the other kids in his neighborhood?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What was the mystery that Detective Melon was asked to
solve?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Describe how Mel solved the mystery.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Sleepy Giant The giant was sleepy and needed a nap. It was not easy being so big! There were
houses to stomp on, children to scare, and animals to chase. All he wanted was
somewhere to lie down and sleep.
In the city he found lots of tall buildings, but when he stretched out on top of
them, they fell down. At the park he saw swings and slides, so he snuggled between them,
but the children began to jump and play on him.
The giant was gegng mad because he needed his nap. When giants lost their
temper, things got messy.
In the country he found a field of colorful flowers, but when he curled up, bees
buzzed in his face.
At the lake he tried to float on the water, but he did not know how to swim!
“What are you doing?” asked a small blue bird flying past.
“I’m looking for a place to take a nap,” the giant said.
“There is nothing so]er than the clouds,” said the bird.
The giant looked at the clouds. One by one, he plucked them from the sky. He put
them around his head and closed his eyes.
The bird was right. There was nothing so]er than clouds.
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207
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Sleepy Giant The giant was sleepy and needed a nap. It was not easy being so big!
There were houses to stomp on, children to scare, and animals to chase. All
he wanted was somewhere to lie down and sleep.
In the city he found lots of tall buildings, but when he stretched out
on top of them, they fell down. At the park he saw swings and slides, so he
snuggled between them, but the children began to jump and play on him.
The giant was gegng mad because he needed his nap. When giants
lost their temper, things got messy.
In the country he found a field of colorful flowers, but when he
curled up, bees buzzed in his face.
At the lake he tried to float on the water, but he did not know how to
swim!
“What are you doing?” asked a small blue bird flying past.
“I’m looking for a place to take a nap,” the giant said.
“There is nothing so]er than the clouds,” said the bird.
The giant looked at the clouds. One by one, he plucked them from
the sky. He put them around his head and closed his eyes.
The bird was right. There was nothing so]er than clouds.
The Sleepy Giant Comprehension Questions
1. Why was it not easy for the giant to be so big?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Describe one location the giant tried to sleep. Why was he
unsuccessful?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How was the giant able to fall asleep? Who gave him the
idea?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Dog Days It was a standoff. No one was going to retreat, and no one was going to show
weakness. They stared eye to eye, daring the other to fail, to fall away and accept defeat.
There could only be one winner. There was only one prize. And oh, what a prize it was.
Thick, juicy, and so aromaGc, there was a line of drool pooling at their feet. Who would
win? Who would slink away in defeat with their tail between their legs?
The large brown dog bared his teeth in the first real show of aggression. The much
smaller but equally fierce white dog growled in return. The park was full of visitors
enjoying the cloudless day, unaware of the brewing storm between the two canines.
The larger dog took a step closer to the picnic table, the small one responding
with a rapid shuffle forward. Each one dared a peek at the le]over, half-‐eaten
hamburger signg in a pool of barbeque sauce.
It was worth a ba^le.
One jumped. One leapt. Each fell backward with a grunt. Their leashes were
being held steady in their masters’ hands.
The hamburger remained safe, the dogs accepted defeat, and the day carried on.
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202
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Words Correct
Words Incorrect
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Dog Days It was a standoff. No one was going to retreat, and no one was going,
show weakness. They stared eye to eye, daring the other to fail, to fall away
and accept defeat. There could only be one winner. There was only one
prize. And oh, what a prize it was. Thick, juicy, and so aromaGc, there was a
line of drool pooling at their feet. Who would win? Who would slink away
in defeat with their tail between their legs?
The large brown dog bared his teeth in the first real show of
aggression. The much smaller but equally fierce white dog growled in
return. The park was full of visitors enjoying the cloudless day, unaware of
the brewing storm between the two canines.
The larger dog took a step closer to the picnic table, the small one
responding with a rapid shuffle forward. Each one dared a peek at the
le]over, half-‐eaten hamburger signg in a pool of barbeque sauce.
It was worth a ba^le.
One jumped. One leapt. Each fell backward with a grunt. Their
leashes were being held steady in their masters’ hands.
The hamburger remained safe, the dogs accepted defeat, and the day
carried on.
Dog Days Comprehension Questions
1. What is the prize that the dogs are going to fight over?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Describe how the dogs acted toward each other in the
story.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How were the dogs prevented from getting the prize?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Shore The water lapped gently at her feet. It Gckled her toes, and she jumped back with a
squeal of delight. She had never been to the shore before. Never seen its vastness, never
watched the waves fall and retreat. Now that she was here, she never wanted to leave.
She turned her head to the sharp cry of a white gull hovering above the water.
She watched as the bird dove straight down, disappearing from her view. A moment later,
it resurfaced with a shiny silver fish in its sharp beak.
Her mother had promised they would get out of the city. She had told her about the
ocean. How the water met the sky, blending so well that it was impossible to tell
them apart. She told her about the shells. So pre^y, so different from each other and free
to take. It was all so magical sounding. She couldn’t believe they had finally come. Now
she looked for herself, trying to find the seam in the horizon, skipped flat stones across
the surface, and dug her toes into the cool sand.
She was sure there was no place more beauGful. She ran along the water’s edges
flapping her arms, flying like the seagull.
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The Shore The water lapped gently at her feet. It Gckled her toes, and she
jumped back with a squeal of delight. She had never been to the shore
before. Never seen its vastness, never watched the waves fall and retreat.
Now that she was here, she never wanted to leave.
She turned her head to the sharp cry of a white gull hovering above
the water. She watched as the bird dove straight down, disappearing from
her view. A moment later, it resurfaced with a shiny silver fish in its sharp
beak.
Her mother had promised they would get out of the city. She had told
her about the ocean. How the water met the sky, blending so well that it
was impossible to tell them apart. She told her about the shells. So pre^y,
so different from each other and free to take. It was all so magical sounding.
She couldn’t believe they had finally come. Now she looked for herself,
trying to find the seam in the horizon, skipped flat stones across the
surface, and dug her toes into the cool sand.
She was sure there was no place more beauGful. She ran along the
water’s edges flapping her arms, flying like the seagull.
The Shore Comprehension Questions
1. Why do you think the girl never wanted to leave the shore?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What are some things the girl’s mother told her about the
shore?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Where do you think the girl is from? How do you know this?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Sad Story of Snuffles Once upon a Gme there lived a small creature called a snuffle. It was the most
unusual of creatures, for it lived only in the mud. Snuffles slept in the mud, ate in the
mud, and even bathed in the mud. They lived so long in puddles that they began to lose
their own shape and color. Soon all the snuffles were brown and soggy.
One day a young snuffle decided he no longer wanted to be dirty. He longed to
climb out of his puddle and see what it was like. The others told him to stay put. They
said it was too hard to leave, that he would struggle and fail. The young snuffle did not
listen, and even though it was hard, he climbed out of the mud.
At first, it was hard to walk. He stumbled and fell, but soon he gained strength and
walked easier. The sun eventually dried up his soggy bits, and he looked more and more
like snuffles were meant to look. He visited new places that were not mud covered and
wet. When he went back home, no one recognized him. He could not convince them the
world was beauGful outside the puddle. The other snuffles eventually lost all shape and
became the puddle they could not leave.
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Sad Story of Snuffles Once upon a Gme, there lived a small creature called a snuffle. It was
the most unusual of creatures, for it lived only in the mud. Snuffles slept in
the mud, ate in the mud, and even bathed in the mud. They lived so long in
puddles that they began to lose their own shape and color. Soon all the
snuffles were brown and soggy.
One day a young snuffle decided he no longer wanted to be dirty. He
longed to climb out of his puddle and see what it was like. The others told
him to stay put. They said it was too hard to leave, that he would struggle
and fail. The young snuffle did not listen, and even though it was hard, he
climbed out of the mud.
At first it was hard to walk. He stumbled and fell, but soon he gained
strength and walked easier. The sun eventually dried up his soggy bits, and
he looked more and more like snuffles were meant to look. He visited new
places that were not mud covered and wet. When he went back home, no
one recognized him. He could not convince them the world was beauGful
outside the puddle. The other snuffles eventually lost all shape and
became the puddle they could not leave.
The Sad Story of Snuffles Comprehension Questions
1. What are some things that made snuffles unusual
creatures?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What did some snuffles say would happen if one were to
ever leave the puddle?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What happened to the snuffle that left the puddle?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Goodnight Farm “Pig,” said the old rooster. “Sing us a song.”
The other barn animals nodded and cheered. They hooted and hollered unGl finally
the pig agreed. He climbed up the ramp that led to grain elevator and turned to inspect
his audience. Night had fallen on the farm, and most of the animals had been tucked
away. The horses in their stalls perked up their ears. The chickens se^led in their roost
with not even a cluck among them. The goats and sheep stopped their bickering and
Glted their heads in his direcGon. Even a duck and two swans had waddled in for the night.
Pig cleared his throat and began to sing, his voice sweet, clea,r and bold.
“The stars glimmer in the night sky.
Weaving their magic bye and bye.
Will you close your eyes and slumber
And let your dreams invite you to wonder?
Do not fret for he is watching you
Keeping safe all you need him to.
Good night, my friends. Sleep well
We will see each other a]er a spell.”
When Pig was finished, the barn was sGll. Snores and snuffles from door to door. He
made his way to his own bed, wondering on his own dreams and wishing well to all the
others.
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Goodnight Farm “Pig,” said the old rooster. “Sing us a song.”
The other barn animals nodded and cheered they hooted and
hollered unGl finally the pig agreed. He climbed up the ramp that led to
grain elevator and turned to inspect his audience. Night had fallen on the
farm, and most of the animals had been tucked away. The horses in their
stalls perked up their ears. The chickens se^led in their roost with not even
a cluck among them. The goats and sheep stopped their bickering and
Glted their heads in his direcGon. Even a duck and two swans had waddled
in for the night.
Pig cleared his throat and began to sing, his voice sweet, clear, and bold.
“The stars glimmer in the night sky.
Weaving their magic bye and bye.
Will you close your eyes and slumber
And let your dreams invite you to wonder?
Do not fret for he is watching you
Keeping safe all you need him to.
Good night, my friends. Sleep well
We will see each other a]er a spell.”
When Pig was finished, the barn was sGll. Snores and snuffles from
door to door. He made his way to his own bed, wondering on his own
dreams and wishing well to all the others.
Goodnight Farm Comprehension Questions
1. How do you know that the animals were ready to listen
before Pig started to sing the song?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What happened after Pig finished singing his song?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What was Pig’s song about?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Forest Princess I held Gght to the rock, not wanGng to risk losing it when I had come so close. It
was all that I had to bargain with. Even then, the old woman warned, it might not be
enough.
“The flower elves are not always kind and can be rather smug. Do not lose the
rock, for it proves your idenGty,” she said right before abandoning me at the forest
entrance.
I was terrified to be alone in the forest. They said it was enchanted, locked with a
dark magic that was meant to keep strangers out. I was not a stranger. Hadn’t I been
born here? Yet the forest was strange to me. My mother would die if I didn’t get a
healing flower, and I was the only one who could convince the queen to listen.
I had taken only a few steps when I was stopped by an army of giant ants.
“We do the bidding of the Elfin Queen and she demands to know why you have
come,” said one with a spear a^ached to its side.
“Tell the queen her granddaughter has returned.” I bowed my head as the old lady
had instructed and held out the rock that proved my ancestry.
The army bowed in unison. The princess was home.
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The Forest Princess I held Gght to the rock, not wanGng to risk losing it when I had come
so close. It was all that I had to bargain with. Even then, the old woman
warned, it might not be enough.
“The flower elves are not always kind and can be rather smug. Do not
lose the rock, for it proves your idenGty,” she said right before abandoning
me at the forest entrance.
I was terrified to be alone in the forst. They said it was enchanted,
locked with a dark magic that was meant to keep strangers out. I was not a
stranger. Hadn’t I been born here? Yet the forest was strange to me. My
mother would die if I didn’t get a healing flower, and I was the only one
who could convince the queen to listen.
I had taken only a few steps when I was stopped by an army of giant ants.
“We do the bidding of the Elfin Queen and she demands to know why
you have come,” said one with a spear a^ached to its side.
“Tell the queen her granddaughter has returned.” I bowed my head as
the old lady had instructed and held out the rock that proved my ancestry.
The army bowed in unison. The princess was home.
The Forest Princess Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the girl need to hold onto the rock and be careful
not to lose it?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What made the girl so afraid of going into the forest alone?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Who was the girl’s grandmother?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Garden The garden is in bloom.
The flowers are on show, displaying their beauGful colors for all of us to admire.
There are rose bushes crawling up the fence with red and pink buds just starGng to unfurl.
Bright yellow sunflowers tower the others, reaching toward the long rays of sunshine,
hungry for their warmth. The marigolds grow in a straight line, their perfect structure an
example to the others. The pansies with their bold centers surround the fragile lilies
whose petals flu^er to the ground whenever the wind rustles past.
Herbs and other edibles cluster together, growing and thriving on each other’s
strength, their scent spicy and strong.
The garden is an unse^led place, always growing, striving, and thriving. It soothes
and it riles the senses. Its visitors regale in its quiet strength, take heart in its vibrancy.
The garden is a place to rest. It is a place to watch and reflect.
The vegetables grow up through the dirt with admirable persistence. They fill out
with the nourishment of the sun and the rain, biding their Gme unGl harvest.
Come visit the garden. Come and see for yourself the wonders of spring and the
effects of the sun.
The garden is in bloom.
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The Garden The garden is in bloom.
The flowers are on show, displaying their beauGful colors for all of us
to admire. There are rose bushes crawling up the fence with red and pink
buds just starGng to unfurl. Bright yellow sunflowers tower the others,
reaching toward the long rays of sunshine, hungry for their warmth. The
marigolds grow in a straight line, their perfect structure an example to the
others. The pansies with their bold centers surround the fragile lilies whose
petals flu^er to the ground whenever the wind rustles past.
Herbs and other edibles cluster together, growing and thriving on
each other’s strength, their scent spicy and strong.
The garden is an unse^led place, always growing, striving, and
thriving. It soothes and it riles the senses. Its visitors regale in its quiet
strength, take heart in its vibrancy. The garden is a place to rest. It is a place
to watch and reflect.
The vegetables grow up through the dirt with admirable persistence.
They fill out with the nourishment of the sun and the rain, biding their Gme
unGl harvest.
Come visit the garden. Come and see for yourself the wonders of
spring and the effects of the sun.
The garden is in bloom.
The Garden Comprehension Questions
1. What are two flowers that one would find in the garden?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What are people meant to do when they visit the garden?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Describe one thing that grows in the garden. What does it
look like?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Storm The sky threatened with distant thunder. Clouds rolled in thicker and darker. SGll
there was nothing to speak of. No rain, hail, or winds. The day conGnued as it should on a
hot summer a]ernoon. Children played on the swings and slides at the park. Their cries
echoed past the open field where the teenagers and young adults played. If anyone was
concerned about the storm, it was only the mothers who occasionally checked the sky at
the sound of thunder. Those who sat on blankets reading books or taking naps did not
even think the fast approaching storm. Had they looked up and seen the clouds, they
would have noGced they no longer looked friendly.
The wind was first. It gained strength. Pages on books rustled and turned on their
own, the trees swayed, and Frisbees flew in the wrong direcGon. The first fat drops of rain
startled almost everyone. Despite the warning signs, most people had faith the sun would
prevail. Children ran in happy circles, chasing the invisible drops, while others opted for
shelter. The park empGed when the rain poured in. Thunder raged and lightning dazzled
as nature put on her most spectacular show.
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Words Correct
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Storm The sky threatened with distant thunder. Clouds rolled in thicker and
darker. SGll there was nothing to speak of. No rain, hail, or winds. The day
conGnued as it should on a hot summer a]ernoon. Children played on the
swings and slides at the park. Their cries echoed past the open field where
the teenagers and young adults played. If anyone was concerned about the
storm, it was only the mothers who occasionally checked the sky at the
sound of thunder. Those who sat on blankets reading books or taking naps
did not even think the fast approaching storm. Had they looked up and
seen the clouds, they would have noGced they no longer looked friendly.
The wind was first. It gained strength. Pages on books rustled and
turned on their own, the trees swayed, and Frisbees flew in the wrong
direcGon. The first fat drops of rain startled almost everyone. Despite the
warning signs, most people had faith the sun would prevail. Children ran in
happy circles, chasing the invisible drops, while others opted for shelter.
The park empGed when the rain poured in. Thunder raged and lightning
dazzled as nature put on her most spectacular show.
The Storm Comprehension Questions
1. Why do you think the children didn’t care that it looked it
might storm?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Describe what happened to the weather when the storm
was starting.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. If you saw the warning signs of a storm, what would you
do? Why?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Cry in the Night The blackness of the night was thick. The light from the moon and sca^ered stars
barely penetrated. Creatures slept, tucked away in their homes, safe for another day.
Silence was like a blanket covering the forest and the nearby field. Only the occasional
chirping of crickets and mysterious rustlings in the long grass could be heard.
It was the perfect Gme to hunt.
The owl streaked across the sky and blended into the darkness with a flash of
gleaming yellow eyes, a small but important warning. Heavy, strong wings pounded the
air, gaining strength in the effort. The owl soared for a moment before digging his wings
into the air once more. He listened. Through the quiet, past the silence, he could hear the
so] sound of grass swishing together. He altered his course, spread wide his mighty
wings, and plummeted, talons first, toward the open field.
Wind rushed past his feathers. His body was angled perfectly using the current of
wind to his advantage. He only had one chance. His cry echoed across the distance, an
eerie sound that le] many cowering and others happy to be hidden. He clutched his prey
and rose triumphant into the night sky.
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Cry in the Night The blackness of the night was thick. The light from the moon and
sca^ered stars barely penetrated. Creatures slept, tucked away in their
homes, safe for another day. Silence was like a blanket covering the forest
and the nearby field. Only the occasional chirping of crickets and
mysterious rustlings in the long grass could be heard.
It was the perfect Gme to hunt.
The owl streaked across the sky and blended into the darkness with a
flash of gleaming yellow eyes, a small but important warning. Heavy, strong
wings pounded the air, gaining strength in the effort. The owl soared for a
moment before digging his wings into the air once more. He listened.
Through the quiet, past the silence, he could hear the so] sound of grass
swishing together. He altered his course, spread wide his mighty wings, and
plummeted, talons first, toward the open field.
Wind rushed past his feathers. His body was angled perfectly using
the current of wind to his advantage. He only had one chance. His cry
echoed across the distance, an eerie sound that le] many cowering and
others happy to be hidden. He clutched his prey and rose triumphant into
the night sky.
Cry in the Night Comprehension Questions
1. What are the only things that could be heard at night?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Describe what the owl did as he hunted for his prey.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How did the owl know that there was an animal on the
ground?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Pioneer Days Searching for a be^er life, freedom of religion, and oppression, many people from
Europe traveled across the ocean to begin a new life in a new world. These people were
called pioneers as they were the first to se^le in the wilderness of North America.
Life as a pioneer was hard. They had to adopt a new way of living. The first thing
that had to be done was clearing the land to plant crops. Without food, survival was not
guaranteed. This was not easy. The pioneers did not have trucks and tractors. They had to
use tools and animals. The trees they chopped down became very valuable. They used
the wood for everything. Their home, utensils, tools, toys, and furniture were all made
from the trees.
The pioneers were not alone in the new world. The aboriginals had been there
long before they came along. Everyone had to learn how to live together. The pioneers
learned a lot from the aboriginals. They learned how to farm, survive the cold winters,
and which plants could be used for medicine.
Pioneer life was dangerous at Gmes and very difficult, but the people persisted
and towns grew and flourished as more and more se^lers came over.
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Words Correct
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Pioneer Days Searching for a be^er life, freedom of religion, and oppression, many
people from Europe traveled across the ocean to begin a new life in a new
world. These people were called pioneers, as they were the first to se^le in
the wilderness of North America.
Life as a pioneer was hard. They had to adopt a new way of living.
The first thing that had to be done was clearing the land to plant crops.
Without food, survival was not guaranteed. This was not easy. The
pioneers did not have trucks and tractors. They had to use tools and
animals. The trees they chopped down became very valuable. They used
the wood for everything. Their home, utensils, tools, toys, and furniture
were all made from the trees.
The pioneers were not alone in the new world. The aboriginals had
been there long before they came along. Everyone had to learn how to live
together. The pioneers learned a lot from the aboriginals. They learned
how to farm, survive the cold winters, and which plants could be used for
medicine.
Pioneer life was dangerous at Gmes and very difficult, but the people
persisted and towns grew and flourished as more and more se^lers came
over.
Pioneer Days Comprehension Questions
1. Where were the pioneers originally from?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What was difficult about life as a pioneer?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Would you like to live like a pioneer? Why or why not?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
EgypGan Mummies People have been interested in the EgypGans and the things they pracGced for
hundreds of years. That’s because so much of what they did was strange. Consider the
mummy. EgypGans felt they had to keep the dead from looking dead. So they went to
great trouble to preserve the bodies of the deceased.
The first step in mummificaGon was the removal of the internal body parts. The
brain was taken out first, followed by the organs. All this was done with as li^le damage
to the body as possible. Remember, the EgypGans wanted the body to stay the same. All
that was le] inside the body was the heart. This was le] to preserve the person’s
humanity and their intelligence.
The next step was to remove as much moisture as possible. This was done by
using a kind of salt to dry out the body, which le] it looking more human than a decaying
skeleton. Then they wrapped the body in linens.
It took seventy days to properly mummify a body. It was a lot of work and cost a
lot of money. The EgypGans did it because they felt the spirit of the person would be lost
without the mummified body to house it.
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
EgypGan Mummies People have been interested in the EgypGans and the things they
pracGced for hundreds of years. That’s because so much of what they did
was strange. Consider the mummy. EgypGans felt they had to keep the
dead from looking dead. So they went to great trouble to preserve the
bodies of the deceased.
The first step in mummificaGon was the removal of the internal body
parts. The brain was taken out first, followed by the organs. All this was
done with as li^le damage to the body as possible. Remember, the
EgypGans wanted the body to stay the same. All that was le] inside the
body was the heart. This was le] to preserve the person’s humanity and
their intelligence.
The next step was to remove as much moisture as possible. This was
done by using a kind of salt to dry out the body, which le] it looking more
human than a decaying skeleton. Then they wrapped the body in linens.
It took seventy days to properly mummify a body. It was a lot of work
and cost a lot of money. The EgypGans did it because they felt the spirit of
the person would be lost without the mummified body to house it.
Egyptian Mummies Comprehension Questions
1. Why was it important for the ancient Egyptians to mummify
people who passed away?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What was the only thing that the Egyptians left in the body?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What was the importance of salt in the process of
mummifying a body?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Honey Bees The honey bee is an incredible insect. They work really hard, each one with a
specific task. Honey bees are social creatures. They have a job to do, and they do it well,
working together.
They gather food by collecGng pollen and nectar from flowering plants. This is the
start of the pollinaGon process. Around one-‐third of the world’s food depend on honey
bees to pollinate them.
In 2006, there was a sudden collapse in honeybee colonies. Some believe the
pesGcides farmers use on crops are to blame. Others feel it the use of cell phones makes it
hard for bees to navigate. The real answer is that no one knows why the bees are
disappearing: however, everyone agrees it is a large problem.
Humans have been using honey bees for centuries. What would we do without
honey to sweeten our food or wax to make candles? The bees effortlessly create these
things, and we enjoy them. People are building more and more hives to ensure the bee
populaGon stays steady. It is working. The bees are sGll disappearing but not as quickly as
before.
There are so many things humans take for granted. Hopefully, we learn a lesson
from the honey bee. Nature is a delicate balance that should be respected.
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Honey Bees The honey bee is an incredible insect. They work really hard, each
one with a specific task. Honey bees are social creatures. They have a job
to do, and they do it well, working together.
They gather food by collecGng pollen and nectar from flowering
plants. This is the start of the pollinaGon process. Around one-‐third of the
world’s food depend on honey bees to pollinate them.
In 2006, there was a sudden collapse in honeybee colonies. Some
believe the pesGcides farmers use on crops are to blame. Others feel that
the use of cell phones makes it hard for bees to navigate. The real answer
is that no one knows why the bees are disappearing; however, everyone
agrees it is a large problem.
Humans have been using honey bees for centuries. What would we
do without honey to sweeten our food or wax to make candles? The bees
effortlessly create these things, and we enjoy them. People are building
more and more hives to ensure the bee populaGon stays steady. It is
working. The bees are sGll disappearing but not as quickly as before.
There are so many things humans take for granted. Hopefully, we
learn a lesson from the honey bee. Nature is a delicate balance that should
be respected.
Honey Bees Comprehension Questions
1. How do honey bees collect their food?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What could have caused the honey bee population to
decline?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What are people doing to help the honey bees so their
population can increase?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
The Incredible Killer Whale What’s so amazing about the orca whale? Just about everything. They belong to
the dolphin family. They are thought of as one of the world’s most deadly creatures.
Orcas love to capture sea lions, seals, and whales to eat. They hunt in groups called pods.
Each pod can have up to 40 family members. Pods use different ways to hunt. Some
people compare the hunGng methods to those of a wolf pack.
The orca whale likes to travel. This species of whale can be found from the polar
regions, all the way to the warmer waters near the equator. Orcas talk to each other using
different sounds that travel well under the water. Mothers are protecGve of their young.
They do allow other members of the pod to help take care of them. A female orca gives
birth every three years a]er a seventeen-‐month-‐long pregnancy.
The beauGful black and white coloring makes these creatures easy to recognize.
They are very smart and can be trained by humans to perform tricks in special shows.
Orcas have never been overly hunted by humans. They are generally le] alone
unless wounded and in need of care to help them readjust to marine life.
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The Incredible Killer Whale What’s so amazing about the orca whale? Just about everything.
They belong to the dolphin family. They are thought of as one of the
world’s most deadly creatures. Orcas love to capture sea lions, seals, and
whales to eat. They hunt in groups called pods. Each pod can have up to
40 family members. Pods use different ways to hunt. Some people
compare the hunGng methods to those of a wolf pack.
The orca whale likes to travel. This species of whale can be found
from the polar regions all the way to the warmer waters near the equator.
Orcas talk to each other using different sounds that travel well under the
water. Mothers are protecGve of their young. They do allow other
members of the pod to help take care of them. A female orca gives birth
every three years a]er a seventeen-‐month-‐long pregnancy.
The beauGful black and white coloring makes these creatures easy to
recognize. They are very smart and can be trained by humans to perform
tricks in special shows.
Orcas have never been overly hunted by humans. They are generally
le] alone unless wounded and in need of care to help them readjust to
marine life.
The Incredible Killer Whale Comprehension Questions
1. What types of animals do orcas like to eat?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Describe where killer whales live.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How do humans and killer whales interact with each other?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Black Bears and Grizzly Bears – What’s the Difference?
Some people cannot tell the difference between a black bear and grizzly. It is
common to mistake one for the other if you are not familiar with the species.
Size is not the best way to tell what sort of bear you are looking at. It is thought
that grizzlies are much larger than black bears. That is not always the case. Male grizzlies
are the largest, weighing in at 500 pounds, but females can be much smaller at 350
pounds. Black bears are usually smaller but can weigh as much as 400 pounds.
Color is not the best way to tell them apart, either. Despite the name, not all black
bears are black. They come in different colors, including a light blond. Grizzly bears range
in color from blond to black.
The easiest way to tell the bears apart is to look at their body shape and facial
features. A grizzly has a stoop to its shoulders that black bears do not. They also have
short, rounded ears and a dent from their eyes to their noses. Black bears have a straight
line from their eyes to their noses. Their ears are longer and pointed.
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Black Bears and Grizzly Bears – What’s the Difference?
Some people cannot tell the difference between a black bear and
grizzly. It is common to mistake one for the other if you are not familiar
with the species.
Size is not the best way to tell what sort of bear you are looking at. It
is thought that grizzlies are much larger than black bears. That is not
always the case. Male grizzlies are the largest weighing in at 500 pounds,
but females can be much smaller at 350 pounds. Black bears are usually
smaller but can weigh as much as 400 pounds.
Color is not the best way to tell them apart, either. Despite their
name not all black bears are black. They come in different colors including
a light blond. Grizzly bears range in color from blonde to black.
The easiest way to tell the bears apart is to look at their body shape
and facial features. A grizzly has a stoop to its shoulders that black bears do
not. They also have short, rounded ears and a dent from their eyes to their
noses. Black bears have a straight line from their eyes to their noses. Their
ears are longer and pointed.
Black Bears and Grizzly Bears Comprehension Questions
1. How are black bears and grizzly bears similar?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. How are black bears and grizzly bears different?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Why is it so difficult to tell black bears and grizzly bears
apart?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Bearded Dragons Bearded dragons are lizards that grow between 12 and 24 inches. They come in a
variety of colors with accents ranging from brown and gray to yellow and orange.
Bearded dragons have spiked scales beneath their head that puff up when they are angry
or afraid. When this happens, it looks like they have beards! A bearded dragon’s body is
muscled, with more spikes along the sides. Their tails are thick at the base and thin at the
end. Unlike other lizards, their tails do not grow back if something happens to it.
These lizards are from Australia. They live in woodlands, savannahs, and deserts. If
looking for these dragons, you might find them sunning on a rock or tree branch.
Bearded dragons make wonderful pets. They can be kept in large aquariums or
specifically designed terrariums. They enjoy being held and are gentle creatures. Their
diet in capGvity includes live crickets, silk worms, and super worms. They also need fresh
vegetaGon. This is how they get most of their liquids.
Owning a bearded dragon is a lot of fun. They need a basking spot to warm them
up, as they cold-‐blooded. They also need something to climb on. They even enjoy hanging
from hammocks!
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Bearded Dragon Bearded dragons are lizards that grow between 12 and 24 inches.
They come in a variety of colors with accents ranging from brown and gray
to yellow and orange. Bearded dragons have spiked scales beneath their
head that puff up when they are angry or afraid. When this happens, it
looks like they have beards! A bearded dragon’s body is muscled, with
more spikes along the sides. Their tails are thick at the base and thin at the
end. Unlike other lizards, their tails do not grow back if something happens
to it.
These lizards are from Australia. They live in woodlands, savannahs,
and deserts. If looking for these dragons, you might find them sunning on a
rock or tree branch.
Bearded dragons make wonderful pets. They can be kept in large
aquariums or specifically designed terrariums. They enjoy being held and
are gentle creatures. Their diet in capGvity includes live crickets, silk worms
and super worms. They also need fresh vegetaGon. This is how they get
most of their liquids.
Owning a bearded dragon is a lot of fun. They need a basking spot to
warm them up, as they cold-‐blooded. They also need something to climb
on. They even enjoy hanging from hammocks!
Bearded Dragons Comprehension Questions
1. Describe the physical characteristics of a bearded dragon.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Where do the bearded dragons live?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. If you had a bearded dragon as a pet, how would you
take care of it?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Maple Syrup Did you ever wonder how maple syrup is made? Did you know anyone can do it?
All you need are a few tools and, of course, a maple tree. So when is the best Gme for
gathering sap? The end of February and early March is usually when the trees thaw out a
li^le and the sap starts to flow.
First, choose a maple tree that is at least 40 years old. You can tell this by how
thick the trunk is. A trunk with a diameter of 25 inches or more is ideal. Drill a tap hole
into the tree only when temperatures outside are above freezing. This will keep the tree
from being hurt. Insert the tap or spile (a tool to collect sap drainage) into the hole.
Allow the sap to drain and collect in the container. For one gallon of syrup, forty
gallons of sap are needed. You must boil down the sap the same day it is collected. Once
temperature of the sap has reached 7 degrees above water’s boiling point, you have
syrup! Before bo^ling it, there is one final step. The syrup must be filtered to remove grit
and impuriGes. This can be done using a special filter or cheesecloth.
Now you are ready to enjoy your syrup.
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Maple Syrup Did you ever wonder how maple syrup is made? Did you know
anyone can do it? All you need are a few tools and, of course, a maple tree.
So when is the best Gme for gathering sap? The end of February and early
March is usually when the trees thaw out a li^le and the sap starts to flow.
First, choose a maple tree that is at least 40 years old. You can tell
this by how thick the trunk is. A trunk with a diameter of 25 inches or more
is ideal. Drill a tap hole into the tree only when temperatures outside are
above freezing. This will keep the tree from being hurt. Insert the tap or
spile (a tool to collect sap drainage) into the hole.
Allow the sap to drain and collect in the container. For one gallon of
syrup, forty gallons of sap are needed. You must boil down the sap the
same day it is collected. Once, temperature of the sap has reached 7
degrees above water’s boiling point, you have syrup! Before bo^ling it,
there is one final step. The syrup must be filtered to remove grit and
impuriGes. This can be done using a special filter or cheesecloth.
Now you are ready to enjoy your syrup.
Maple Syrup Comprehension Questions
1. How old does a maple tree have to be in order to collect
sap?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What type of tools would you need to use to get sap from a
tree?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What has to be done to the sap after you collect it and
before you are able to eat it?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Lightning There is something exciGng about a thunderstorm. The thrill of the loud booms
high above us and the forks of light are fantasGc displays of nature. What is lightning?
Why do thunder and lightning go together? The mysteries of thunderstorms are not
completely understood, but people know a lot more about them than ever before.
Lightning is electrical discharge in clouds, or between clouds and the earth’s
surface. Lightning flashes on an average of 50 Gmes a second around the world. That is
1.4 billion flashes in a year. When warm air and cold air mix together, it causes a sGr in
the atmosphere. This results in storms that can create lightning.
Thunder is the sound that lightning causes. When lightning strikes, it brings a lot of
pressure and heats the air around it. The air expands and creates a sonic shock wave. The
shock wave makes the noise of thunder.
There is an easy way to guess how far away the lightning is. If you count the
seconds between the flash of lightning to the crash of thunder, you get an esGmaGon of
distance. Every five seconds equals one mile. If thunder and lightning occur at the same
Gme, the storm is very close.
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Lightning There is something exciGng about a thunderstorm. The thrill of the
loud booms high above us and the forks of light are fantasGc displays of
nature. What is lightning? Why do thunder and lightning go together? The
mysteries of thunderstorms are not completely understood, but people
know a lot more about them than ever before.
Lightning is electrical discharge in clouds, or between clouds and the
earth’s surface. Lightning flashes on an average of 50 Gmes a second
around the world. That is 1.4 billion flashes in a year. When warm air and
cold air mix together, it causes a sGr in the atmosphere. This results in
storms that can create lightning.
Thunder is the sound that lightning causes. When lightning strikes, it
brings a lot of pressure and heats the air around it. The air expands and
creates a sonic shock wave. The shock wave makes the noise of thunder.
There is an easy way to guess how far away the lightning is. If you
count the seconds between the flash of lightning to the crash of thunder,
you get an esGmaGon of distance. Every five seconds equals one mile. If
thunder and lightning occur at the same Gme the, storm is very close.
Lightning Comprehension Questions
1. Around the world, how often does lightning strike?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What causes lightning?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How can you predict how far away a storm is by looking at
the lightning flashes?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Earthworms The earthworm is more than fish bait and bird food. They are nature’s workers.
Earthworms improve soil for humans, plants, and animals. The tunnels they create help
air and water reach deeper parts of the soil. More air and more water make for healthier
soil.
Did you know that the diet of an earthworm is the dirt itself? These worms eat the
soil they live in. This food source is great for the worm but not for plants. The waste
released by the worm is then used to feed the plants because it has a lot of nutrients.
If you were to look really closely at an earthworm’s body, it looks like they are
joined together with rings. Earthworms are actually put together with about 150 different
segments. This helps the worm to move, as each segment has muscles and bristles. The
bristles are what give the worm control when moving through the soil. The different
segments to the earthworm are also why they can survive and regrow parts of their body
back if something pulls it apart.
Earthworms have no lungs to help them breathe. Instead, they breathe through
their skin. This is the reason they must stay in moist, damp places. Their skin cannot dry
out or they will not survive.
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Earthworms The earthworm is more than fish bait and bird food. They are nature’s
workers. Earthworms improve soil for humans, plants, and animals. The
tunnels they create help air and water reach deeper parts of the soil. More
air and more water make for healthier soil.
Did you know that the diet of an earthworm is the dirt itself? These
worms eat the soil they live in. This food source is great for the worm but
not for plants. The waste released by the worm is then used to feed the
plants because it has a lot of nutrients.
If you were to look really closely at an earthworm’s body, it looks like
they are joined together with rings. Earthworms are actually put together
with about 150 different segments. This helps the worm to move, as each
segment has muscles and bristles. The bristles are what give the worm
control when moving through the soil. The different segments to the
earthworm are also why they can survive and regrow parts of their body
back if something pulls it apart.
Earthworms have no lungs to help them breathe. Instead, they
breathe through their skin. This is the reason they must stay in moist,
damp places. Their skin cannot dry out or they will not survive.
Earthworms Comprehension Questions
1. Why are earthworms an important part of nature?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. How are an earthworm’s body segments helpful to it?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Why is it important for an earthworm to keep its skin moist?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Ghost Stories Everyone loves a good ghost story. Signg around a campfire telling stories about
humans back from the dead is not a recent pasGme. People have been telling scary
stories since Gme began. To understand ghost stories, one must know what a ghost is. A
ghost, spirit, or specter is the essence that is le] behind a]er a person dies. This is an
ancient idea, not one everyone believes in, but the noGon has had a lasGng impression.
Ghost stories are sGll beloved around the world. Some funeral rites were created to
ensure that the spirit might move on and not haunt loved ones.
A memorable ghost story has a good locaGon. Usually these locaGons are well
known. The White House is a nice example of this. Many people have claimed to have
seen the ghosts of past presidents. Ba^lefields from the Civil War are another popular
segng for ghost stories. Here, people have not only seen one or two specters, but enGre
armies!
Not all ghost stories have historical merit. Some simply have eerie segngs such a
cemetery or abandoned mansion. The best stories have an element of truth to them.
These are the ones that get passed down from generaGon to generaGon.
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Ghost Stories Everyone loves a good ghost story. Signg around a campfire telling
stories about humans back from the dead is not a recent pasGme. People
have been telling scary stories since Gme began. To understand ghost
stories, one must know what a ghost is. A ghost, spirit, or specter is the
essence that is le] behind a]er a person dies. This is an ancient idea, not
one everyone believes in, but the noGon has had a lasGng impression.
Ghost stories are sGll beloved around the world. Some funeral rites were
created to ensure that the spirit might move on and not haunt loved ones.
A memorable ghost story has a good locaGon. Usually these locaGons
are well known. The White House is a nice example of this. Many people
have claimed to have seen the ghosts of past presidents. Ba^lefields from
the Civil War are another popular segng for ghost stories. Here, people
have not only seen one or two specters, but enGre armies!
Not all ghost stories have historical merit. Some simply have eerie
segngs such a cemetery or abandoned mansion. The best stories have an
element of truth to them. These are the ones that get passed down from
generaGon to generaGon.
Ghost Stories Comprehension Questions
1. What makes a memorable ghost story?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What do some of the best ghost stories have in common?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Why might someone want to tell a ghost story?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Endangered Animals Humans have been given the job of caring for our planet. We need to pay
a^enGon to the animals that live on it. There have been Gmes when we failed this and a
species was lost. The Atlas bear and the mammoth are good examples. Today, there are
different groups and scienGsts who work to save our wildlife. SGll, some conGnue to
disappear. Right now there are over 600 animals and plants that are at risk of exGncGon.
While the size of the world stays the same, the populaGon conGnues to grow.
Human acGvity threatens and upsets the balance of nature. Shopping centers,
neighborhoods, and parking lots are built without thought to the habitats that are
destroyed in the process.
There are different ways to classify the problem and keep it in order. Endangered
animals are watched and protected. Animals that are vulnerable to becoming endangered
are taken care of more closely.
Everyone can play a role in protecGng the different species that are at risk of
disappearing. SomeGmes all it takes is helping to track a certain species. This is done by
paying a^enGon to sighGngs or recording calls and sounds.
Each animal is valuable, and it is for the future that we should care.
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Endangered Animals Humans have been given the job of caring for our planet. We need to
pay a^enGon to the animals that live on it. There have been Gmes when
we failed this and a species was lost. The Atlas bear and the mammoth are
good examples. Today, there are different groups and scienGsts who work
to save our wildlife. SGll, some conGnue to disappear. Right now there are
over 600 animals and plants that are at risk of exGncGon.
While the size of the world stays the same, the populaGon conGnues
to grow. Human acGvity threatens and upsets the balance of nature.
Shopping centers, neighborhoods, and parking lots are built without
thought to the habitats that are destroyed in the process.
There are different ways to classify the problem and keep it in order.
Endangered animals are watched and protected. Animals that are
vulnerable to becoming endangered are taken care of more closely.
Everyone can play a role in protecGng the different species that are
at risk of disappearing. SomeGmes all it takes is helping to track a certain
species. This is done by paying a^enGon to sighGngs or recording calls and
sounds.
Each animal is valuable, and it is for the future that we should care.
Endangered Animals Comprehension Questions
1. What are some examples of animals that have been so
endangered that they eventually disappeared?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What are some reasons animals become endangered?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. How can people help stop animals from becoming
endangered?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Owls Owls are amazing creatures. There are many different types of owls ranging vastly
in size. The smallest owls are the elf owl and the northern pigmy owl. Both of these are
small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The largest owl is the great grey. This
incredible bird can grow to 80 cenGmeters in length with a wingspan of five feet.
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey. They sleep during the day and hunt at night. They
are also carnivores, which means their diet is primarily meat. Owls eat a variety of
animals. Mice, shrew, moles, snakes and other birds are all prey and are consumed in one
large swallow. A]er the meal is digested, the owl regurgitates the bones, teeth, feathers,
and hair of the animal. This ‘pellet’ is hard and compact. If you were to dissect a pellet
you would be able to put together the skeleton of the animal to determine what it was.
Owls have a keen sense of hearing. They can hear a field mouse from way up in
the sky, and their fluffy feathers help sneak up on their prey without being heard. An
owl’s eyes cannot move as we can move ours. In order to see, they have to swivel their
heads around. They have a range of moGon of 270 degrees.
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Owls Owls are amazing creatures. There are many different types of owls
ranging vastly in size. The smallest owls are the elf owl and the northern
pigmy owl. Both of these are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
The largest owl is the great grey. This incredible bird can grow to 80
cenGmeters in length with a wingspan of five feet.
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey. They sleep during the day and hunt
at night. They are also carnivores, which means their diet is primarily meat.
Owls eat a variety of animals. Mice, shrew, moles, snakes and other birds
are all prey and are consumed in one large swallow. A]er the meal is
digested, the owl regurgitates the bones, teeth, feathers, and hair of the
animal. This ‘pellet’ is hard and compact. If you were to dissect a pellet you
would be able to put together the skeleton of the animal to determine
what it was.
Owls have a keen sense of hearing. They can hear a field mouse from
way up in the sky, and their fluffy feathers help sneak up on their prey
without being heard. An owl’s eyes cannot move as we can move ours. In
order to see, they have to swivel their heads around. They have a range of
moGon of 270 degrees.
Owls Comprehension Questions
1. Describe the sizes of the smallest and largest owls.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What does it mean that owls are nocturnal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What is an owl pelle,t and what might you find in one?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
ArcGc Wolf The arcGc wolf is an amazing creature. It can go weeks without food. It can live for
months in the darkness and survive temperatures of sub-‐zero weather. It is the only
creature able to tolerate all these factors.
ArcGc wolves are like all wolves. They hunt in packs. Their prey is caribou,
muskoxen, seals, lemmings, and hares. It is rare for a wolf to a^ack a human. Adult
wolves have forty-‐two teeth ,enabling them to swallow their prey with li^le chewing.
Greenland, some parts of Alaska, and Canada’s ArcGc islands are all home to these
wolves. They live in dens that are isolated from humans. ArcGc wolves have predators.
Polar bears, other wolves, and humans all hunt them. The arcGc wolf pups are parGcularly
vulnerable to large birds of prey.
ArcGc wolves are an endangered species. The only thing keeping them from
becoming exGnct is their locaGon. Not enough humans live in the ArcGc to present a large
problem. Many people fear wolves, but unless provoked they are harmless to humans.
They even can help farmers by eaGng the weakest domesGcated animals that might have
spread sickness to the enGre group. They are wonderful, beauGful creatures that deserve
our respect.
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ArcGc Wolf The arcGc wolf is an amazing creature. It can go weeks without food. It
can live for months in the darkness and survive temperatures of sub-‐zero
weather. It is the only creature able to tolerate all these factors.
ArcGc wolves are like all wolves. They hunt in packs. Their prey is
caribou, muskoxen, seals, lemmings, and hares. It is rare for a wolf to a^ack a
human. Adult wolves have forty-‐two teeth ,enabling them to swallow their
prey with li^le chewing.
Greenland, some parts of Alaska, and Canada’s ArcGc islands are all
home to these wolves. They live in dens that are isolated from humans. ArcGc
wolves have predators. Polar bears, other wolves, and humans all hunt them.
The arcGc wolf pups are parGcularly vulnerable to large birds of prey.
ArcGc wolves are an endangered species. The only thing keeping them
from becoming exGnct is their locaGon. Not enough humans live in the ArcGc
to present a large problem. Many people fear wolves, but unless provoked
they are harmless to humans. They even can help farmers by eaGng the
weakest domesGcated animals that might have spread sickness to the enGre
group. They are wonderful, beauGful creatures that deserve our respect.
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Arctic Wolf Comprehension Questions
1. What are some of the animals that an arctic wolf might
prey on?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Where might you find some arctic wolves living?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. Even though the arctic wolf is endangered, why are
scientists not worried about them becoming extinct?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Wetland Wonders A wetland is a habitat where land and water meet. Ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs,
and fens are all wetlands.
Swamps are streaming water and are o]en confused with marshes. They are
different because they have trees and shrubs. Ponds are shallow waters that have do not
have vegetaGon. Marshes are areas that are always flooded. They have a lot of surface
vegetaGon. Bogs and ferns have high water levels and large collecGons of peat, which
looks like solid ground but is easy to fall through.
Wetlands are incredible. Over 200 species of animals live there. Wetlands act like
sponges by prevenGng floods from too much rainfall or melted snow. It is esGmated that
5% of the country is covered by wetlands. Sadly, that number shrinks every year.
Wetlands are in danger of disappearing across the globe because people use the land to
build houses.
Without these powerful ecosystems, birds, amphibians, mammals, repGles, and
plants will eventually become exGnct.
Everyone can make a difference in protecGng wetlands. Learning about how
important they are and telling others is a big step. Gegng involved and keeping wetlands
clean and safe is another. Find out where your local wetlands are and discover for
yourself how amazing they are.
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Wetland Wonders A wetland is a habitat where land and water meet. Ponds, marshes,
swamps, bogs, and fens are all wetlands.
Swamps are streaming water and are o]en confused with marshes.
They are different because they have trees and shrubs. Ponds are shallow
waters that have do not have vegetaGon. Marshes are areas that are
always flooded. They have a lot of surface vegetaGon. Bogs and ferns have
high water levels and large collecGons of peat, which looks like solid
ground but is easy to fall through.
Wetlands are incredible. Over 200 species of animals live there.
Wetlands act like sponges by prevenGng floods from too much rainfall or
melted snow. It is esGmated that 5% of the country is covered by
wetlands. Sadly, that number shrinks every year. Wetlands are in danger of
disappearing across the globe because people use the land to build houses.
Without these powerful ecosystems, birds, amphibians, mammals,
repGles, and plants will eventually become exGnct.
Everyone can make a difference in protecGng wetlands. Learning
about how important they are and telling others is a big step. Gegng
involved and keeping wetlands clean and safe is another. Find out where
your local wetlands are and discover for yourself how amazing they are.
Wetland Wonders Comprehension Questions
1. How are swamps different from marshes?
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2. About how many species of animals live in wetlands?
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3. Wetlands are in danger of disappearing. What can people
to do to make sure this doesn’t happen?
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Sea Turtles The ocean is a mysterious place with many creatures. ScienGsts love studying
about what goes on under the water. Everyone wants to understand the mysteries of the
ocean. One of the most ancient animals on Earth lives in the ocean. The sea turtle has
been around since the age of dinosaurs. Sea turtles are different from land turtles
because they cannot retract their legs or heads into their shells. They are perfectly
designed for the water.
These turtles eat a variety of food. They love jellyfish, seaweed, snails, and shrimp.
Sea turtles live in the warm waters around the world. They will travel hundreds of miles
through the ocean just to get from their feeding grounds to where they will nest.
Sea turtles live most of their lives in the water, but they leave the ocean to lay
their eggs. The female digs a small hole in the sand with her back flippers and then
buries her eggs. She leaves them on the beach to hatch on their own.
Sadly, most young hatchlings do not survive. They have a long way to travel
from their nest on the beach to the safety of the water, and even though they emerge at
night, there are predators ready and waiGng.
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
Sea Turtles The ocean is a mysterious place with many creatures. ScienGsts love
studying about what goes on under the water. Everyone wants to
understand the mysteries of the ocean. One of the most ancient animals
on Earth lives in the ocean. The sea turtle has been around since the age of
dinosaurs. Sea turtles are different from land turtles because they cannot
retract their legs or heads into their shells. They are perfectly designed for
the water.
These turtles eat a variety of food. They love jellyfish, seaweed,
snails, and shrimp. Sea turtles live in the warm waters around the world.
They will travel hundreds of miles through the ocean just to get from their
feeding grounds to where they will nest.
Sea turtles live most of their lives in the water, but they leave the
ocean to lay their eggs. The female digs a small hole in the sand with her
back flippers and then buries her eggs. She leaves them on the beach to
hatch on their own.
Sadly, most young hatchlings do not survive. They have a long way to
travel from their nest on the beach to the safety of the water, and even
though they emerge at night, there are predators ready and waiGng.
Sea Turtles Comprehension Questions
1. How long have sea turtles been around?
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2. What types of food do sea turtles like to eat?
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3. Why do most young sea turtles not survive?
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Name:________________________________ Date:__________
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