A LESSON-A-DAY FOR EVERY DAY IN APRIL! ENGAGING READING COMPREHENSION LESSONS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH! Featuring celebrities, inventors, sports, scientific discoveries, dramatic events and more… this series is sure to give you an unending supply of relevant and intriguing daily reading lessons. Each high-Interest passage is followed by a full page of skill-specific comprehension activities designed to sharpen essential reading skills. This lesson-a-day series is sure to become a classroom favorite! Ideal for bell work, enrichment, remediation and review. INCLUDES STANDARDS-BASED READING & WRITING ACTIVITIES: Stories are followed by skill-specific comprehension activities. Questions are clearly labeled with the standard/skill that it meets. LOCATE AN ANSWER DRAW CONCLUSIONS CAUSE & EFFECT FACT OR OPINION FIND FACTS MAKE INFERENCES SEQUENCE EVENTS FIND THE MAIN IDEA COMPARE & CONTRAST USE CONTEXT CLUES TO FIND MEANING All captivating events happened in the last 20 years! This is a growing series that will eventually include the entire school year. Reading Level: Gr 3 - 4 Interest Level: Gr 5 - 12 MORE DETAILS: This 21st Century Daily Comprehension resource is an all-new version of our popular Daily Comprehension series. A high-interest, nonfiction story has been chosen for each day of the month. The stories are a combination of historical, scientific, record-breaking, sports, and pop culture events that happened on that particular day. All of the stories are about events that occurred during the 21st Century. Care was taken to choose topics that appeal to a wide-range of interests. Students will learn some serious and some fun facts while improving their reading skills. A page of skill-based questions follows each story. Comprehension skills include: facts, locating the answer, cause and effect, fact or opinion, sequence, main idea, conclusion, inference, context, and comparison. INCLUDES: 65 pages Answer Key

Visual Aids | Math Centers | Fun Games | Daily Warm-ups | Counting Coins | Money Math | Writing Values | Easy-to-use. Help students learn to identify coins and count money up to $1.00 with these visual, hands-on learning cards. Each printable card shows a group of coins and the various ways the coin value can be represented. A great way to improve math skills in a fun and engaging way! VERSATILE & PRINTABLE CARDS: These printable cards make excellent visual aids for direct and explicit instruction, remediation and review. In addition, cards can be cut into quarters and used for a variety of fun, hands-on games and tasks. Three game options are included with these cards. COIN AMOUNTS ARE DISPLAYED IN FOUR WAYS: Numerical Format: with dollar sign and decimal point Numerical Format: with a cents sign Spelled out in words Realistic Coin Images: including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, & 50 cent pieces Includes 31 Colorful Learning Cards Instructions for Several Games

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of March. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 68 Pages Answer Key

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of December. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 68 Pages Answer Key

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of October. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 68 Pages Answer Key

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of November. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 65 Pages Answer Key

Life Skills Activities | Consumer Skills | Reading | Task Cards Improve Reading Comprehension AND Consumer Skills… at the Same Time! These easy-to-use & visually interesting Task Cards describe in detail the process of using a checking account. The in-depth information is presented in small, easy-to-understand chunks. Students of multiple skill levels will be able to successfully access the information. A step-by-step approach makes the task cards ideal for explicit instruction, life skills classes, remediation, transition students, special education, and more. Using a Checking Account can be used as a stand-alone unit of instruction or can be used as a companion teaching unit along with Bank Account Basics. Students will learn the advantages of keeping their money safe in a checking account and how to easily access that money. There is explicit information about how to Write a Check, Fill Out a Deposit Slip, Use a Debit Card and Fill Out a Transaction Register. Using a Debit Card: Since most people access their checking account by using their debit card, there is in-depth information about this essential life skill. Students will learn the difference between a debit card and a credit card and the different ways a debit card can be used. Step-By-Step Directions for Using an ATM: After going through these detailed instructions, students will feel a sense of confidence when they face their first ATM transaction. Step-By-Step Directions for Using POS Terminal: Making your first debit card purchase in a store can be confusing if you don’t understand how to use the point of sale terminal. These detailed instructions will help give students the confidence they need to successfully complete their first purchase. READING SKILLS: Students will get lots of practice reading and interpreting the information presented as they are challenged to find facts, locate information, and read for detail. These task cards prepare students for successfully using a checking account. VERSATILE LESSONS: These multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank activities require no writing… making them ideal for daily lessons, review, progress monitoring, enrichment, quiz games, and task cards. All activities are multiple choice or fill in the blank. Includes: 58 Task Cards Answer Key

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Earthquakes Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Earthquakes” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with fascinating facts about what causes earthquakes and the kind of damage they can do. “On Shaky Ground” The fiction story tells what happens when a young girl and her dog experience an earthquake while they are alone in the house. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is about 350 words and is written at a 2.9 to 4.9 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 3 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Life Skills Activities | Consumer Skills | Reading | Task Cards | Google Slides Improve Reading Comprehension AND Consumer Skills… at the Same Time! These easy-to-use & visually interesting digital Task Cards describe in detail the process of using a checking account. The in-depth information is presented in small, easy-to-understand chunks. Students of multiple skill levels will be able to successfully access the information. A step-by-step approach makes the task cards ideal for explicit instruction, life skills classes, remediation, transition students, special education, and more. Using a Checking Account can be used as a stand-alone unit of instruction or can be used as a companion teaching unit along with Bank Account Basics. Students will learn the advantages of keeping their money safe in a checking account and how to easily access that money. There is explicit information about how to Write a Check, Fill Out a Deposit Slip, Use a Debit Card and Fill Out a Transaction Register. Using a Debit Card: Since most people access their checking account by using their debit card, there is in-depth information about this essential life skill. Students will learn the difference between a debit card and a credit card and the different ways a debit card can be used. Step-By-Step Directions for Using an ATM: After going through these detailed instructions, students will feel a sense of confidence when they face their first ATM transaction. Step-By-Step Directions for Using POS Terminal: Making your first debit card purchase in a store can be confusing if you don’t understand how to use the point of sale terminal. These detailed instructions will help give students the confidence they need to successfully complete their first purchase. READING SKILLS: Students will get lots of practice reading and interpreting the information presented as they are challenged to find facts, locate information, and read for detail. These task cards prepare students for successfully using a checking account. VERSATILE LESSONS: These multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank activities require no writing… making them ideal for daily lessons, review, progress monitoring, enrichment, quiz games, and task cards. All activities are multiple choice or fill in the blank.

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of February. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 64 Pages Answer Key

Life Skills Activities | Consumer Skills | Reading | Task Cards Improve Reading Comprehension AND Consumer Skills… at the Same Time! These easy-to-use & visually interesting Task Cards describe in detail the process of applying for and getting a bank account. The in-depth information is presented in small, easy-to-understand chunks. Students of multiple skill levels will be able to successfully access the information. This step-by-step approach makes the task cards ideal for explicit instruction, life skills classes, remediation, transition students, special education, and more. Bank Account Basics can be used as a stand-alone unit of instruction or can be used as a companion teaching unit along with Using a Checking Account. “What is a Bank Account?” This first set of task cards introduces students to the concept of banking and the benefits of checking and savings accounts. “Opening a Bank Account” takes students through what is needed to open an account and leads into the steps required to “Apply for a Bank Account.” “Getting a Bank Account” covers what happens after your application has been approved. “Online Banking” explains the process of accessing your bank account online and lists the advantages of online banking. READING SKILLS: Students will get lots of practice reading and interpreting the information presented as they are challenged to find facts, locate information, and read for detail. These task cards prepare students for learning about what it takes to get a credit card. VERSATILE LESSONS: These multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank activities require no writing… making them ideal for daily lessons, review, progress monitoring, enrichment, quiz games, and task cards. All activities are multiple choice or fill in the blank. Includes: 50 Task Cards Answer Key

Improve Reading Comprehension While Learning Interesting Historical Facts! This book features high-interest, “on this date in history” stories for the month of January. There is an historical nonfiction short story for each day of the month. Reading and Interest Level The stories were written at an approximate reading level of grades 3-4. In some cases, proper names of people, places, and events, as well as other necessary descriptive vocabulary, may drive the reading level up a bit. The interest level is aimed at students in grades 5 and up who may not be reading at grade level. High-Interest Stories The topics chosen are not necessarily the most important thing to have happened on a particular date. The variety of people, places, and events highlighted in each story were chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests. Students will learn a variety of historical facts while improving their reading and comprehension skills. Skill-Specific Lessons Each story is followed by 8 skill-specific comprehension questions. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and writing complete sentences. Skills focus on: main idea, facts, locating the answer, vocabulary, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, fact or opinion, conclusion, and inference. Includes: 69 Pages Answer Key

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Volcanoes Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Volcanoes” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story by giving the dramatic facts about what happens when a volcano erupts. “Last Day in Pompeii” The fiction story tells about the day the ancient city of Pompeii was destroyed by a volcano through the voice of a young slave girl. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 330 and 375 words and is written at a 2.9 to 4.4 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 3 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Fossils Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Fossils” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story by answering the questions: “What is a fossil?” and “How are fossils formed?” “Bulldozers & Bones” The fiction story tells about an exciting fossil discovery a young boy makes while helping his dad excavate some land to build a house. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 330 and 375 words and is written at a 2.9 to 4.4 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 3 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | John Muir Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “John Muir” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with interesting facts about the famous naturalist John Muir and how he helped to preserve our forests and national parks. “Father of the Forest” The fiction story is told from the viewpoint of an ancient tree and tells what the tree has seen throughout its lifetime. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is about 350 words and is written at a 3.2 to 5.0 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 3 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Social Studies | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Civil War Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing History-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, historic explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Civil War” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with sobering facts about the tragedy of the war between the North and the South and the fight to end slavery. “Escape to the North” The fiction story tells about a young Southern boy who helps a young runaway slave. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 300 and 360 words and is written at a 2.8 to 4.8 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 4 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Social Studies | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Ellis Island Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing History-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, historic explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Ellis Island” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with fascinating facts about the flood of immigrants that came to America through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. “Coming to America” The fiction story tells about the experience of a 12-year-old boy and his father who are on a long, arduous boat trip to America to make a better life for their family. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 328 and 377 words and is written at a 3.1 to 5.2 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 4 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Social Studies | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Dust Bowl Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing History-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, historic explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Dust Bowl” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with facts about what caused the long drought in the Midwest, during the 1930s, that created the “dust bowl” and the effects it had on the farmers. “A Wall of Dust” The fiction story tells about a group of school children that get trapped with their teacher in the schoolhouse during a fierce dust storm. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is about 340 words and is written at a 2.5 to 3.8 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 4 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | The Night Sky Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “The Night Sky” This nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with interesting facts about the planets and stars we see in the night sky. “A Little Cosmic Dust” The fiction story tells about a young boy’s fascination with the stars and his hope to discover some “cosmic dust” that may have come from outer space! Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 340 and 350 words and is written at a 3.7 to 4.5 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 3 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages

Reading Comprehension | Science | Fiction/Nonfiction Pairing | Ecosystems Supports Best Practices in Reading by Pairing Science-Based Nonfiction Stories with Fiction Stories on the Same Topic! Each exciting and fact-filled story is accompanied by a dynamic, colorful, realistic illustration that brings the story to life and enhances the content. The nonfiction story gives a detailed, scientific explanation of the topic. The matching fiction story makes the topic relatable to everyday life. Reading Skills Follow-up questions and activities help build important comprehension skills and strategies shared by and unique to nonfiction and fiction stories. By reading the stories and completing the accompanying activities, students will have a much greater understanding of these two key genres of reading. “Ecosystems” The nonfiction story sets up the fiction story with interesting facts about different types of ecosystems, how they work, and the importance of keeping food webs intact. “Everything is Connected” The fiction story tells about a grandfather who explains the importance of maintaining food chains and food webs to his granddaughter through a story about the scarcity of a bird called the Clark’s nutcracker. Questions & Activities Each story is followed by who, what, when, where, why, and how type questions. Additional skill-specific questions for each story include: Main Idea, Locating Information, Fact or Opinion, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Conclusion, Inference, Summarizing, and Picture Interpretation. Vocabulary activities include: vocabulary matching, word search, and context. Details: Each short story is between 320 and 330 words and is written at a 3.6 to 4.8 reading level according to the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Scale. The interest level is grades 4 and up. Contents Include: • 2 high-interest, illustrated, short stories • 10 pages of questions and activities • Glossary • Answer Key • 18 total pages