"Mama's Happy Christmas" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about children creating a play for their sick mother on Christmas day. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from...

"Staying in Phoenix" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about how settlers solved the water shortage problem for growing crops. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes:...

"Valley Forge" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about conditions at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War including a German soldier, von Steuben, who helped America win. It is followed by questions which require students...

"Learn about Zambia" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the South African country of Zambia and its history. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining...

"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about natural gas, its uses, and how it gets to homes. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main idea and...

"Why is Community Service Important?" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage is part of a report that the Obama-Biden campaign prepared about service and volunteering. It is followed by questions which require students to provide...

"Spring is Coming" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a family of settlers who had survived the winter, but needed food. Their Native American neighbors showed them onions growing and gave them new hope. It is followed by...

"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the hardships of early settlers in the prairie. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main idea and...

A printable pyramid for use with nonfiction texts while students identify the main ideas and supporting details within a text. Students also determine author's purpose and key vocabulary words. Directions on how to use this type of...

"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the problems of the early settlers in the prairie. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes:...

"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the hardships of life on the prairie for early settlers. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main...

"Chicago Is a City of Possibilities" is an inauguration speech by Deval Patrick given as he became governor of Massachusetts. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes determining...

"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the hardships of early settlers on the prairie. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main idea and...

"What Values Have Shaped Chicago?" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the Plan of Chicago as outlined in the "Wacker Manual." It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it...

"Prairie Ecology Questions and Activities" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about prairie ecology the interdependence of its plants and animals. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the...

"Nature's Violet Children" is a one page, folktale about violets who were sad because a little girl picked them and took them home. It is followed by open-ended questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it...

A slide show with forty slides with explanations, examples, and information on how to determine the theme of a text. RL.9-10.2 and RL.11-12.2 Analyzing Theme.

"My Cousin's Lesson" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a teenager who stole something from a store and was arrested. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from the...

"Our Lemons" is a one page, fictional reading passage about lemons and a family in California who grow them. It is followed by open-ended questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining the...

"See Our Progress" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about students who turned a vacant lot into a prairie garden and then were interviewed and shown on the television news. It is followed by questions which require students to...

"Sir Gobble" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a little girl who was given a young turkey to raise for Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey became her pet and she was upset about him becoming dinner. It is followed by questions...

"Soldier's Letter" is a one page, fictional, letter from a young soldier at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary explaining how hard conditions are there. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the...

"Why Did Mamma Change Her Mind?" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a party. Mom said her son and daughter could each have 5 friends (5 boys and 5 girls). The girl wanted all girls so the party was cancelled. It is followed...

"More Trees" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a student and his mother getting trees from the city and planting them in their neighborhood. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide...