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These Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions for Guided Reading Levels C through P (DRA Levels 3 - 38) are designed to help students learn to read carefully and to find evidence to support their answers to text-based questions.

A Parent Handout for each Guided Reading Level is also included, making this an ideal resource for use during school closures due to the coronavirus.
Please Note: Through June 2020, the terms of use have been extended to grant a license to email any part of this resource to the students and families you work with.
The increasing complexity of these passages helps make differentiation efficient and effective. These passages are ideal for use during small group instruction, intervention lessons, close reading lessons, fluency work, as assessments, as homework or as morning work.
To see detailed descriptions of each of these products, please click on the preview (above) or on the following links:
★ Guided Reading Level C Comprehension Passages with Text Evidence Questions consisting of 30 reading passages with 3 multiple choice questions each

★ Reading Comprehension Passages for students transitioning from Level C to Level D consisting of 30 reading passages with 3 multiple choice questions each

★ Level D Reading Comprehension Passages with Multiple Choice Questions consisting of 18 reading passages with a worksheet including 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response activities for each passage

★ Level E Reading Comprehension Passages with Multiple Choice Questions consisting of 15 reading passages with 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Level F Reading Comprehension Passages consisting of 15 reading passages with a worksheet including 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Levels G and H: Reading Comprehension Passages consisting of 15 reading passages with 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Levels G and H: 25 short reading passages with a choice of a cause and effect worksheet or who, what, when, where, why and how questions

★ Levels I and J: Reading Comprehension Passages consisting of 15 passages with 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Levels K and L: Reading Comprehension Passages consisting of 15 reading passages with 4 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Fables for Guided Reading Levels I, J, K and L consisting of 22 passages with a choice of written response prompts or graphic organizers

★ Levels M and N Reading Comprehension and Close Reading Passages consisting of 20 reading passages with 5 multiple choice questions and a page of written response activities for each passage

★ Levels O and P Career-Focused Reading Comprehension Passages consisting of 15 reading passages with 5 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

★ Levels O and P Career-Focused Reading Comprehension Passages (The Second Set) consisting of 15 reading passages with 5 multiple choice questions and a page of written response questions for each passage

Over the years, I have found that students who can imagine themselves in successful careers have much more motivation to excel in school. I've just added two sets of passages to this bundle designed to help students learn about various careers while also developing listening, reading and writing skills.

The career passages in this set are ideal to read to students in first or second grade. It is truly never too early to help students begin to imagine possibilities! With each passage, there is a simple written response sheet prompting students to consider whether they might be interested in the career field. (These make great conversation starters at home!)

Students reading at Guided Reading Levels O and P are able to read these career-focused passages and then answer the text evidence questions. (I recommend taking time to discuss and introduce concepts or vocabulary that will be unfamiliar to your students.)

These career passages are designed to help teachers prepare students for assessments while also helping students understand the value of their education and the opportunities that await them.
This resource supports the following Student Outcomes and related Common Core Standards:
★ Students will answer questions about key details in a text (RI.K.1, RL.K.1, RI.1.1 and RL.1.1).

★ Students will read grade-level text with purpose and understanding (RF.K.4.A, RF.1.4.A, RF.2.4.A and RF.3.4.A).

★ Students will read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension (RF.1.4, RF.2.4 and RF.3.4).

★ Students will identify the main topic and retell key details of a text (RI.1.2).

★ Students will answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text (RL.2.1).

★ Students will determine the central message, lesson, or moral of stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures (RL.2.2).

★ Students will read common high-frequency words and grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words (RF.K.3c, RF.1.3g and RF.2.3.F).

★ Students will determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text (RI.2.4 and RI.3.4).

★ Students will answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers (RL.3.1 and RI3.1).

★ Students will read prose, poetry and informational text of appropriate complexity for their grade (RL.1.10, RI.1.10, RL.2.10 and RI.2.10).

★ Students will read and comprehend informational text and literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently (RL.3.10 and RI.3.10).

Many thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Best wishes for a wonderful school year!

Sincerely, Anne Gardner (NBCT, Literacy)
* Please note: An answer key is included for the multiple choice questions. For many of the written response questions, answers can vary and are considered correct as long as the student logically uses evidence from the text to support his or her answer.
This zipped file is composed of 15 printable PDF files which are available immediately upon purchase.

This product is intended to support implementation of the CCSS. No association with the creators of the CCSS (©Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers) is intended or implied.

Guided Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions for Levels C - P

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Guided Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions: Distance Learning ELA

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These Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions for Guided Reading Levels C through P (DRA Levels 3 - 38) are designed to help students learn to read carefully and to find evidence to support their answers to text-based questions. A Parent Handout for each Guided Reading Level is also included,...

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Paid app that teaches young students English

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Help your child to start learning English with our award-winning games. Start learning English today for free with Fun English.

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Fun English

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Is your child ready for first grade? This simple question can send otherwise rational adults into a tailspin. Although every child is special and unique and develops at their own pace, there are certain skills and knowledge sets that most educators and developmental experts agree are essential for social and academic growth, development, and achievement in school. As you look through the following checklist of essential developmental skills children need before they enter first grade, please keep in mind that young children need continued opportunities to attain any new skill; a "one-shot" approach to teaching is not sufficient for building a strong base of attitudes, aptitudes and abilities.

First grade readiness checklist

Social skills

Shows confidence in self and demonstrates a sense of self-worth

Follows rules and routines at home and in kindergarten

Uses materials purposefully and respectfully

Comfortably adapts to changes

Shows eagerness and curiosity as a learner

Sustains attention to a single task over a period of time

Works, plays and shares with others

Interacts easily with familiar adults

Participates in group activities

Respects the feelings and rights of others

Uses words to resolve conflicts

Seeks adult help when needed

Reading & comprehension

Shows independent interest in reading-related activities

Listens with interest to stories read aloud

Retells a simple story

Recognizes the association between spoken and written words

Recognizes all the letters of the alphabet in order

Distinguishes between and prints capital and lowercase letters

Associates letters and sounds

Distinguishes likenesses and differences of letter sounds in spoken words

Recognizes rhymes and rhyming patterns

Makes predictions about a story or passage based on the title and/or pictures

Identifies words and constructs meaning from picture clues in text

Identifies basic sight words

Distinguishes fact from fiction

Begins to understand basic characteristics of fables, stories and legends

Identifies story elements of setting, plot, character and conflict (where, when, what, who and why)

Uses personal perspective in responding to stories, such as relating to characters or situations

Begins to understand simple punctuation marks (period, question mark, etc.)

Locates the title, author name, illustrator name and table of contents

Sorts common words into categories (e.g., food, colors, shapes)

Writing

Reads and writes own name

Tells a story using pictures

Uses letters or shapes to depict words or ideas

Writes familiar words

Copies or writes words to convey messages

Participates in group dictated stories

Builds simple words and sentences

Demonstrates left-to-right progression, and top-to-bottom progression

Handles writing tools correctly

Language & listening skills

Understands and follows simple directions

Listens to others for short periods of time without interrupting

Recites nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs

Participates in discussions and conversations

Asks questions

Speaks clearly to convey messages and requests

Distinguishes between asking and telling

Distinguishes between formal and informal language (with peers, at home vs. at school)

Uses complete sentences

Composes oral stories

Retells a simple story with basic elements of beginning, middle and end

Numbers, operations & problem solving skills

Names numerals 0 through 30

Writes numerals 0 through 20

Uses counting skills to add to 10

Classifies and compares objects

Recognizes, duplicates and extends patterns and relationships of objects, symbols and shapes

Collects data and makes records using lists or graphical representations

Shows interest in solving mathematical problems

Solves problems by guessing and checking using manipulatives or fingers

Geometry & measurement

Becomes familiar with common instruments for measuring time and temperature (e.g., rulers, thermometers)

Estimates and measures real quantities using non-standard units (blocks or paperclips)

Understands and uses comparative words (long and short, heavy and light, etc.)

Identifies, labels and creates a variety of shapes

Math in action: Telling time, counting money

Shows an understanding of the calendar and time

Knows the days of the week and months of the year

Knows the value of a penny, nickel, dime and quarter

Social studies

Understands the concept of history as real stories of other times, events, places and people

Understands broad categories of time (past, present and future)

Knows different methods of communication from long ago to present day (oral, pictographs, etc.)

Understands the concept of historical contributions by historical figures

Has a basic awareness of other cultures and cultural traditions

Knows significant individuals in United States history

Knows people and events honored in commemorative holidays

Recognizes American symbols (the eagle, Liberty Bell, the flag, etc.)

Recognizes that people use maps, globes and other models to identify and locate places

Science

Forms conclusions based on comparisons, sense observations and exploration

Knows that the Sun supplies heat and light energy to the Earth

Recognizes basic patterns in weather

Recognizes how people impact the Earth, including concepts of conservation, recycling and reducing pollution

Understands that all living things have basic needs

Distinguishes between living and non-living things

Recognizes how living things change as they grow and mature

Compares and describes the structural characteristics of plants and animals

Distinguishes between types of environments and their inhabitants (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc.)

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Is your child ready for first grade? This simple question can send otherwise rational adults into a tailspin. Although every child is special and unique and develops at their own pace, there are certain skills and knowledge sets that most educators and developmental experts agree are essential for social and academic growth, development, and achievement in school.

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How to bring out the best in your students

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Recently, a former music teacher told me about a 1st grade student with Asperger's syndrome who, on their first encounter, announced in no uncertain terms: "I hate music!" Over the next two years, the student used abusive language, had meltdowns, and was physically aggressive toward his peers. Finally, the teacher scheduled some individual time with him and discovered that he believed he was terrible at music and couldn't sing. She let him play some of the instruments in her room and then showed him the music composition software program GarageBand on her Mac. It turned out that he was fascinated with computers and quickly figured out how to compose a song.

The next week, the teacher shared his song with the class and from that time on things began to change. He still struggled with his behavior, but over the next two years, she explained, "he played instruments in our concerts, joined the choir, had several solos, was in the musical. ... [He] gave his heart and soul to music and continued to compose and mix music at home. He told his mother that whenever he was having a bad day, he would 'go into his music' and there he would find peace and calm." This story illustrates how important it is to find out as much as possible about the strengths and abilities of students with special needs.

As a former special education teacher, I can't count the number of times my students would come up to me and say, "Mr. A., when can I get out of this retarded class?" I began to understand that kids with special needs have two strikes against them. First, they have the disorder itself, and all the challenges it poses. But second, they have to spend a good deal of their time in school dealing with things they're bad at. What we need to do is change this situation around so that right from the start, students with special needs are told about all the things they're good at, and are engaged in activities that are based on those strengths.

Here are seven ways that you can activate the strengths of your students with special needs, whether you run a full-inclusion classroom, a self-contained special ed classroom, or anything in between:

* Discover your students' strengths. Before they even come into your classroom, find out about your students' strengths and abilities by talking with previous teachers and looking at cumulative files (focusing on the highest grades and test scores and any positive comments from teachers). Then, fill out a strength-based inventory for each student-and have parents fill one out as well. I have a 165-item strengths inventory in my book Neurodiversity in the Classroom, and there are others out there, too. Also, ask your special-needs students what they're interested in, what they feel like they're good at, and what they'd most like to study. If time is an issue, focus on the students who are the squeaky wheels and have the greatest needs.

* Provide positive role models with disabilities. Students with special needs need to learn about individuals with disabilities who have become successful in life. This way, they can hopefully come to the conclusion that "If they can do it, so can I!" Some examples of such individuals include: Noble Prize winning geneticist Carol Greider (learning disabilities), film director Steven Spielberg (ADHD), and animal scientist Temple Grandin (autistic spectrum disorder). Create a curriculum unit entitled, "People with Disabilities Who Changed the World," and make sure that typically developing students also take part in the lessons.

* Develop strength-based learning strategies. Once you know your students' special strengths, design strategies that utilize those abilities. If a student is great at drawing but has trouble reading, let her illustrate her vocabulary words. If a student shows gifts in knitting but doesn't understand place value, have him design a fabric art piece by knitting rows of 10. There are thousands of ideas and projects that can be created by combining a student's strengths with a learning deficit.

* Use assistive technologies and Universal Design for Learning tools. Learn about apps that capitalize on the gifts of your students with special needs. Provide a student who is a great orator but can't write very well with a speech-to-text program such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, so that he can speak into the computer and produce writing that way. For a student with autism who loves to use an iPad but has difficulty communicating, teach her how to use an alternative augmentative communication app like Proloquo2Go, so that with the touch of a few buttons she can have a synthesized voice speak for her.

* Maximize the Power of your students' social networks. So much of learning involves being in relationships with others, and many students with special needs have particular difficulty establishing positive social connections. Create a graphic representation of a student's peer network, identifying both strong and weak relationships. Then, pair the student with classmates that he has the most positive relationships with using peer-teaching, cross-age tutoring, Best Buddies, or other social-learning approaches.

* Help students envision positive future careers. Most students with special needs have either no images of themselves as working adults in the future, or have primarily negative ones. Encourage these students by helping them make links between their strengths and the requirements of specific jobs or careers. So, for example, a student with ADHD who loves adrenaline-producing experiences might thrive in a high-stimulation job like firefighting. A student with learning disabilities who has a penchant for art might do very well working as a graphic artist.

* Create positive modifications in the learning environment. Think about how you can create changes in your classroom that dovetail with the particular strengths of your students with special needs. Provide a student with ADHD who learns best by moving, for example, with a stability ball that he can jiggle on while doing his classwork. For a student with Down Syndrome who loves to humorously mimic others, build a simple puppet theater where he can act out math word problems in front of the class and get positive feedback.

A movement is emerging in education called " neurodiversity," which suggests that we view our students with special needs in terms of "diversity" rather than "disability." By embracing this more positive perspective, and coupling it with differentiation strategies that build on students' strengths, we can help ensure that our students with special needs achieve success both in the classroom and out in the real world.

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7 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Special-Needs Students (Opinion)

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Teachers can turn things around for students with special needs by engaging them in activities based on their strengths instead of their weaknesses, says a neuroscience expert.

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Top book choices recommended by experts for first grade students

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by: Doreen Cronin - (Joanna Cotler Books, 2003) 40 pages.

Doreen Cronin has done it again with this first person narrative told from the point of view of a boy worm. This book introduces the concept of a diary in a fun way. Young readers will identify with all the escapades of a worm, as he interacts with family members, goes to school and vacations at Compost Island. Children will laugh and learn facts in a fun way while learning to appreciate living creatures.

Want to see the movie? Check out the Scholastic video collection Diary of a Worm... And Four More Great Animal Tales, which also includes favorites like Anatole and Frog Goes to Dinner.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find Diary of a Worm at your local library.

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Favorite books for 1st graders Book lists | GreatSchools.org

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by: Doreen Cronin - (Joanna Cotler Books, 2003) 40 pages. Doreen Cronin has done it again with this first person narrative told from the point of view of a boy worm. This book introduces the concept of a diary in a fun way.

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Why and how literacy centers can be used to effectively teach students literacy lessons

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Lesson plans for students between first and second grade

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Free Classroom Lesson Plans and Unit Plans for Teachers | Scholastic

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Lesson plans, unit plans, and classroom resources for your teaching needs. Browse or search thousands of free teacher resources for all grade levels and subjects

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Expert advice on teaching students to read

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An article detailing how to effectively teach first grade students writing

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Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers

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This practice guide provides four recommendations for improving elementary students’ writing. Each recommendation includes implementation steps and solutions for common roadblocks. The recommendations also summarize and rate supporting evidence. This guide is geared toward teachers, literacy coaches…

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Reading and phonics lessons in the form of online games

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Starfall Education: Kids Games, Movies, Books & Music for K-5 and above

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At Starfall, children have fun while they learn - specializing in reading, phonics & math - educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for children K-5 and above.

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Literacy worksheets from grades 1 through 5 available for free

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Free worksheets for kindergarten to grade 5 kids. Over 10,000 math, reading, grammar and writing, vocabulary, spelling and cursive writing worksheets. Answer sheets included; no login required.

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Letter sounds with example pictures

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An app useful for practicing English/another language at home

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Duolingo is the world's most popular way to learn a language. It's 100% free, fun and science-based. Practice online on duolingo.com or on the apps!