Directions: Print and read each passage daily for 5 days
Day 1 Student and partner/adult both have a copy of passage
Student reads passage for 1 minute, partner/adult follows along noting errors
Make the numbers of words read and the number of errors
Partner/Adult tells student how to pronounce words read incorrectly
Partner/Adult reas the passage to student
Day 2 Student reads the entire passage independly and circles all punctation
Day 3 Student reads the entire passage independly and tells partner/adult a summary of passage
Day 4 Student reads the entire passage independly and tells partner/adult a summary of passage
Day 5 repeat routine for day 1
Passage #1 First Day of School
On the first day of school, Roy’s teacher asked him to write a letter about himself. Roy was glad to have the chance to talk about his life in Africa. Roy had been born in the United States, but his family had lived in a small town in Africa for three years. Now his family had moved back to the United States.
Roy’s stepmom was a doctor. She worked in a clinic, where she treated sick people and gave immunizations. His dad taught music at the school Roy and his brother attended. Roy and his friends played sports together and practiced playing the instruments his dad taught them. Football was his favorite sport and there always seemed to be a game going after school.
In his letter, Roy wrote about his life and that he missed playing football the most. He had seen American football and it was a very different game. It was hard to figure out why they were chasing each other and when to cheer.
He handed the letter to his teacher the next morning. That afternoon as he was leaving, his teacher called him over. Another boy was standing next to her. “Roy, this is Spencer,” his teacher said. “He’s going to introduce you to the soccer team. I think you’ll enjoy it.” Spencer smiled at Roy and led him outside to the field, where a group of kids were playing. “The teacher said you call this football in Africa, but here it’s called soccer,” said Spencer. Roy looked around. The kids were playing the same game he had played back in Africa! He couldn’t wait to join them.
passage #2 Sea Turtles
For millions of years, sea turtles have lived in our oceans. It is amazing, when you think about it. They were here when the dinosaurs walked the Earth! Now, their future is at risk. The good news is that efforts are being made to keep all sea turtles safe.
Of the seven species of sea turtles, the largest is the leatherback. This turtle can grow to over six feet long. They are called leatherbacks because they have a softer, more flexible shell than other turtles. They live mainly in the open ocean, where they feed on jellyfish. Because they can keep their body temperature warmer than that of the water, they are able to swim in colder parts of the ocean. Other types of sea turtles are not able to do this. Leatherbacks swim thousands of miles a year looking for food. Every two or three years, the females walk onto the beach to make a nest and lay their eggs.
Each year, there are fewer nesting leatherbacks to be seen. This is because of the growing dangers they face. At sea, this giant turtle often gets caught in fishing nets. On land, animals and people disturb their nests. The turtles also mistake plastic bags and other kinds of trash for jellyfish. These bags can be very harmful to the turtles if they try to eat them. Laws are being passed to protect the turtles, and people are becoming better aware of the risks. Many countries now have beach patrols to guard the nests, and there are new ways to track where the turtles go. Also, more people recycle now. This means that people throw away fewer plastic bags. If we all work together, we can save the turtles!
passage #3 Rosebush
Is it possible for a stem to turn into a rosebush? It may sound like a magic trick, but it actually works! With a little patience, you can do it yourself. Begin by cutting a stem from a healthy rosebush. You should do this in late spring or early summer when it is warm enough for new roots to grow but not so hot that tender leaves will burn. Examine the stems of the rosebush closely and select one that is young but strong. It should have a fading flower or one that has already lost its petals. Cut a stem about twelve inches long.
Next, prepare the stem by removing the flower and most of the leaves. This allows the cutting to put all of its energy into forming roots. Don’t remove all of the leaves, though. Two to five leaves should be left on the stem to provide food for the developing plant. You will also need to make cuts at the bottom of the stem to help roots form more rapidly. To do this, start at the bottom edge and cut about one inch up each side.
Next, plant the cutting in a pot containing damp potting soil or sand. Poke a hole in the dirt with your finger and position the cutting in it. Then gently press soil against the cutting to hold it in place. To keep the cutting moist, mist the leaves with a spray bottle and then cover it with a clear plastic bag. Use tall stakes to prevent the bag from resting against the leaves. Then fasten the bottom of the bag around the pot with a rubber band.
After two weeks, uncover the cutting and gently tug on it. If you feel resistance, roots have developed. Give them several more days to grow and then remove the plastic bag. Place your cutting in a shady area away from harsh sunlight.
When you notice that your plant is growing new leaves and getting taller, plant it in a sunny location and water it frequently. Then congratulate yourself on growing your first rosebush