Common Core Informational Reading Passages and Assessments: Grades 4-5

**ALL GRADE COMMON CORE INFORMATIONAL 4-5 STANDARDS** Engaging, lengthy, and meaningful standards-based non-fiction passages and assessments for ALL TWENTY Common Core Informational Text Standards in Grades 4-5 in ONE bundle of 20 teacher-friendly and student-friendly printables!

These passages and assessments are ideal for implementing a close reading program in your Grade 4-5 classroom based around mastery of the Common Core! What does that mean to you as a classroom teacher? It means that this is not the typical “one reading I'm done” comprehension work often given before the Common Core Standards were created. To complete the assessments for each passage, students will need "to undertake the close, attentive reading and re-reading that is at the heart of understanding and enjoying complex and worthy works.” Please download and look at some of the Preview pages for a better understanding of the collection.

This ready-to-use 74 student-page bundle of informational text passages and assessments is easy to teach with AND most importantly, is interesting for students. It can also lead to multiple extension activities related to science or history. These passages and assessment questions were specifically written for Grade 4-5 reading levels and include work in four key non-fiction areas: historical, scientific, biographical, and technical text types. It can be used in a number of ways by teachers: teacher-guided study, close reading, independent practice, homework, absence work, reading centers, test prep, etc.

A table of contents with an introduction to the passage, text type, the number of words and questions, readability level, and detailing which Common Core skills the text is aligned with is included in the PDF document. Specific ideas and instructions for introducing, teaching with, and concluding the passages and assessments are also included in this collection. Please see the Preview for additional information.

NOTE: At the request of teachers, there are now TWO versions of every printable in this collection, one in a creative, stylish font and one in a more standard, traditional font. You choose the font you want to use, you have every printable in both fonts!

Why are there two grade levels in one bundle? Well, I have never had a class where the reading level between the top readers and the lower ability students wasn’t at least two years, have you? This collection allows you to have CCSS practice work for both the top and bottom of your class across a range of abilities and interests. Many of the CCS Standards in Grades 4-5 fit naturally together too, and this two-grade level set provides a clear spiraling with skill development for your different reading levels.

***NOTE: None of these twenty assessments are sold individually or as part of any other collection or set. If you buy this bundle you will not receive any duplicates of other products that I offer.

Each of the TWENTY multi-page printables includes:

1) An engaging grade-level informational passage of between 550-1000 words (historical, scientific, or technical) for students to read. Ideal for implementing a close reading program in your classroom.

2) A variety of questions in varied formats, from simple to more challenging, each written to align with one of 25 CCS standards, including the 20 required Common Core Informational Text Standards in Grades 4-5.

RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.8, RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.4.4, RI.4.5, RI.4.6, RI.4.7, RI.4.8, RI.4.9, RI.4.10, RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, RI.5.4, RI.5.5, RI.5.6, RI.5.7, RI.5.8, RI.5.9, RI.5.10

3) Answers to every question, including clear examples to help teachers evaluate all the written response questions.

Please see the Preview for a feel of what is included in the twenty printables or read below.

Scientific Information Passage: Opossums

Students read an interesting 550-word science text on opossums, those housecat-sized marsupials of North America who “play dead” and have other interesting habits. After the reading are a total of 25 questions of varying difficulty written to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.5, RI.4.10, RI.5.1, RI.5.3, and RI.5.6. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.8

Historical/Technical Information Passage: Charles Goodyear

Students read the story of inventor Charles Goodyear, the destitute genius who created the modern rubber industry with his experiments in the mid-1800s. The text is 850 words and is followed by 20 questions created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.8, RI.5.2, RI.5.8, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.5

Technical Information Passage: Underwater Diving

In this printable students read mainly technical information on diving, both skin diving and scuba diving. The text is 700+ words and following the reading are 30 questions created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.5.2, RI.5.4, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.3

Historical Information Passage: The Great Air Race of 1911

Students read an interesting 1000-word text that tells the story of the Great Air Race of 1911, a contest where three competing American fliers tried to make the first coast-to-coast flight in their primitive planes. After the reading are a total of 26 questions of varying difficulty created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.4.4, RI.4.10, and RI.5.3. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.1

Scientific Information Passage: Ants and Ant Farms

This printable calls for students to read a descriptive 700-word text on the interesting characteristics of ants and the observation of activity in an “ant farm.” Following the reading are 28 questions created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.5, RI.5.4, RI.5.8, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.6

Historical Information Passage: Beautiful Sweden

Students read a 700-word text on the Scandinavian country of Sweden which introduces the geography, people, and culture of the nation in an interesting and grade-level appropriate format. After the reading are 28 questions of varying difficulty created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.5, RI.4.7, RI.4.10, and RI.5.4. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.6

Scientific Information Passage: The Miracle of Carbon Dating!

This printable asks students to read a 750-word text, written in grade-level appropriate language, on the incredible science of carbon dating and how it has allowed us to understand the history of humans and the earth as never before. Following the reading are 19 questions created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.3, RI.4.5, RI.4.7, RI.5.3, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.9

Scientific Information Passage: The Grand Canyon

Students read a 900-word text, written in grade-level appropriate language, on the magnificent Grand Canyon. The text focuses on two questions: “How did the Grand Canyon get there?” and “What do the layers of walls tell us about Earth’s history?” Following the text are 20+ questions written to align with Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.3, RI.4.10, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, and RI.5.4. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.9

Historical Information Passage: The Titanic

This 700-word printable was created specifically to address CCSS RI.4.6 and RI.5.6, which ask students to compare/contrast firsthand and secondhand accounts and analyze multiple accounts of the same event; the example used in this case is the sinking of the Titanic. Students examine six different short accounts from that fateful night in 1912, including four personal narratives, one newspaper excerpt, and an artistic image. They then answer 10 questions that require comparison and contrast skills appropriate to grades 4-5. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 6.1

Scientific Information Passage: The Mystery of Trace Elements

Students read a 750-word science text that explains in age-appropriate language what trace elements (cobalt, boron, iron, iodine, etc.) are, their importance to the health of plants and animals, and some fascinating discoveries made in the 20th century about them. After the reading are 22 questions created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.4, RI.4.8, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, RI.5.7, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.8

Comparing and Integrating Passages: Self-Confidence

Students read three different short articles that each tries to give advice on how a young person can gain or increase their self-confidence. After the three texts are 8 fill-in-the-blank questions on the sources and a writing activity on self-confidence. I have had great discussions with students about self-confidence arising from the informational texts and questions used. This printable was created to tackle three of the more challenging Common Core Informational Text Standards in Grades 4-5: RI.4.9, RI.5.5, and RI.5.9.

Scientific Information Passage: The Super Senses of Animals!

Students read a scientific text of 550+ words on the super sensitivity, including hearing, taste, and smell, of certain animals such as butterflies, snakes, and dogs. Following the text are 19 questions written to address Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.3.1, RI.4.1, and RI.4.4. Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level = 4.3

Historical Information Passage: G. Washington, Farmer

Students read an 850-word text on a little-known aspect of George Washington’s life, which was his success as a pioneering and innovative farmer of his time. After the reading are 18 questions of varying difficulty created to align with Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.4, RI.4.8, RI.5.1, RI.5.8, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.2

Historical Information Passage: Olympic Glory

Students read a 900-word article on the origin and history behind the modern Olympic Games, including specific details on how it began and was organized in ancient Greece. The text is followed by 24 questions created to align with Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.6, RI.4.10, RI.5.1, and RI.5.3. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.8

Historical/Technical Information Passage: The Pocket Piano

Students read a 750-word text on the history and popularity of the Hohner harmonica, from its beginnings as an ancient Chinese instrument right up to modern times. After the reading are 22 questions of varying difficulty created to align with one of these Common Core Informational Text Standards: RI.4.1, RI.4.5, RI.5.7, RI.5.8, and RI.5.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.3

Scientific Informational Passage: Caves: An Unknown World

Students read a 650-word article on caves, both the “fun” caves visited by tourists and the “wild” caves visited for study or recreation by spelunkers. The text is followed by 19 questions written to align with Common Core Informational Text Standards: RI.4.1, RI.4.4, RI.4.9, and RI.4.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.7

Historical Information Passage: Snowshoe Thompson

Students read an 800-word passage on the legendary Snowshoe Thompson, a Norwegian immigrant who introduced skis and skiing to California in the mid-1800s by delivering mail over the high Sierras in the dead of winter. Following the reading are 8 questions, mainly in short answer response format, aligning with Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.5, RI.4.7, RI.4.10, and RI.5.1. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.1

Scientific Information Passage: The Caterpillar

Students read an entertaining 600-word article on the amazing caterpillar that explains its metamorphosis from larva to pupa to butterfly. After the passage are 19 questions that were created to align with Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.4.1, RI.4.5, RI.5.3, and RI.4.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.7

Historical/Technical Information Text: The Magic of Origami

Students read an 800-word passage on the history and technique of Japanese origami (paper-folding) and learn about the life of Akira Yoshizawa, the man who brought origami to worldwide attention in last half of the 20th century. The text is followed by 21 questions, each written to align with one of the following Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.3.1, RI.4.1, RI.4.5, RI.4.8, RI.5.8, and RI.4.10. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 5.0

Scientific Information Text: The Story of Gold

Students read an engaging passage of 600+ words that examines the history, physical properties, and uses of humankind’s favorite metal: gold. Following the reading are 18 questions written to assess Common Core Informational Text Standards RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, and RI.3.8. Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 4.3

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Any claims of correlation or alignment to the Common Core State Standards are solely those of Mark Aaron and have not been evaluated or endorsed by the NGA. Mark Aaron is the sole creator of this product and does not claim endorsement or association with the creators of the CCSS.