Reading Comprehension Passages + Questions- Digital | Audio | Dyslexic Support

These close reading comprehension passages are the perfect no-prep, standards-based, and high interest way to strengthen your students’ reading skills!

This resource includes 30 fiction and nonfiction passages designed specifically to benefit both typical and neurodivergent readers. The passages range from Lexile levels 410L-1200L. This is a range that covers grades 3-5, but can absolutely span lower and higher depending on your students’ reading levels.

Having the audio support component to each of the passages makes it much easier for students to read selections that are typically “above” their reading or grade level, and helps to challenge them slightly without reaching outside of their zone of proximal development.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

PRINT: 

• 30 printable passages with comprehension questions (full color and printable versions)
  • “Original” version: passages are presented with normal spacing, pictures, vocabulary support
  • “Bionic” version: passages are presented in a format that is designed for neurodivergent readers and features increased line and word spacing, larger font, and Bionic typeface (see the preview for more on this!)

• Teacher answer keys
• Teacher’s guide and checklist (includes Lexile, Fountas + Pinnell, and grade levels)
• Student’s tracker checklist

DIGITAL:

• Google Slides in 3 versions:
  • Original
  • Bionic
  • Student’s Choice- both versions are presented and students can choose which version they prefer to use

• Human read audio support
• Choice Board (students can choose the passage(s) they read and respond to) OR Pick-and-Choose option (you choose the passage(s) you want to assign)

DIFFERENTIATION OPTIONS:

• “Original” and “Bionic” versions of every passage to support both typical and neurodivergent readers (check out the preview for more details on this!)
• Optional human-read audio support; allows students to read and comprehend above their reading level and stretch their “typical” abilities
• Organizational materials (student trackers, teacher’s guide)

Ideal for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade!

Lexile Level Ranges

410L-600L (7 passages)

610L-800L (10 passages)

810L-1000L (9 passages)

1010L-1200L (4 passages)

CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW TO SEE A LOT MORE!

Note: This product uses American English and is not editable.

About the Passages

There are 30 passages (14 fiction and 16 nonfiction), each presented in two formats: original and bionic. The original version of the passages feature normal line and word spacing, size 11-12 font, pictures, vocabulary support, and audio support in the digital version. The bionic version is designed to support neurodivergent, dyslexic and/or struggling readers by providing a more simple, easy-to-read layout. This includes double spacing between words, increased spacing between lines, size 12-13 font, with no extra text features to cause possible distraction. Human-read audio is also provided as an option. 

The passages are a mix of high-interest and curriculum-based topics and include informational text, literature, and poetry. The included text-dependent questions address a variety of close reading skills and are presented in a variety of formats (multiple-choice, short answer, critical thinking, matching, etc.) The paired question sets target various reading comprehension skills, including comparing and contrasting, summarizing, inferring, cause and effect, critical thinking, and using context clues.

Audio Support

Audio (a human voice reading the passages in a clear, fluent manner) support is included with every digital passage, both the original and bionic versions. Audio was recorded (by me!) using high-quality audio equipment and provides an easy listening experience for students. The audio component can easily be removed if you choose.

Teaching Ideas

• Learning Centers- specific passage/question sets can be printed and provided as a rotating learning center option, or can be a digital center choice as well.
• Support for Science, Social Studies/History, World Language, or Physical Education- the topics that the reading passages span across can provide a literary component to almost any subject. For example, they can be used as a homework or expansion activity for an animal unit, solar system unit, Greek mythology unit, American history, and many more!
• No Prep Sub Plans- this activity can be assigned virtually using Google Classroom for those inevitable last-minute plans, or printed out for a more tactile option if you have the time to plan. Having 30 options to choose from helps to keep students engaged for a longer stretch of time if needed.
• Focused Comprehension Activity- reading comprehension is an incredibly common weakness in many students, and presenting high-interest close reading options can help to provide them with daily practice (that they actually enjoy) that can slowly and steadily improve their reading skills.
• Fast Finisher work- one of my favorite ways to engage students who finish their work early is to give them learning choices; providing a ‘Reading Passage Choice Board’ to consistently allow them to choose a new passage from is the perfect solution. Using the student tracker, they can automatically pull up the choice board, choose a new passage to read and respond to, and mark it off on their checklist. 

Overall, these passages could be used in MANY ways- at a center or station, as part of a reading packet, with a small group, as homework, as an introduction to book clubs, as enrichment for younger, highly capable students, as remediation for struggling students, or as test prep. 

This is also an awesome curriculum-based, educational and FUN end of the year activity. Those last few weeks are the perfect time to sprinkle in fun, high-interest reading activities like this.

Parents, Caregivers, and Homeschool Providers

This resource is a perfect additional to an at-home curriculum or enrichment program. It is very easily transformed into a read-aloud lesson in which the student can read the passage aloud (increasing reading fluency and comprehension) and then can work through the questions together with a “helper.” However, it can also be a student-paced activity in which they can work independently on it and are provided with the audio and/or vocabulary support.

Passage Titles + Genres

1. Coyote and the River (Native American folktale)
2. How the Little Kite Learned to Fly (poem)
3. Camp Letter (realistic fiction)
4. Mystery of the Missing Jam (realistic fiction)
5. An Email from Overseas (realistic fiction)
6. The Audition (realistic fiction)
7. Raining Toads (informational, weather)
8. What Joy! (realistic fiction)
9. In the Cellar (historical fiction)
10. Soccer Summer (realistic fiction)
11. To Market, To Market (realistic fiction)
12. Racket Sports (informational, sports)
13. Seeing Snakes (informational, animals)
14. The Dust Bowl (informational, history)
15. At the Dog Show (informational, animals)
16. Comparing Explorers (informational, biography)
17. Wildlife Rescue (realistic fiction)
18. Baucis and Philemon (Greek mythology)
19. Treasure Hunt (realistic fiction)
20. Jupiter, the Giant Planet (informational, solar system)
21. Emperor Penguins (informational, animals)
22. Ancient Farming (informational, agriculture)
23. Science in Your Sandwich (informational, chemical reactions)
24. Save a Species (informational, animals)
25. Theseus and Minotaur (Greek mythology)
26. Anne Frank (informational, history)
27. The Pharaoh Queen (informational, history)
28. An Unlikely Friendship (informational, animals)
29. Wind Power: It’s a Breeze (informational, energy)
30. Navajo Code Talkers (informational, history)

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Permission to copy for single classroom use only.

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