Basal Alignment Project
College- and career-ready lessons for use with texts included in basal readers, grades 3–5
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Results (321)
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
The Stranger - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This story uses a mix…
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- 09/27/14
- 2 FILES
Because of Winn Dixie - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Opal has just moved t…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Ramona and Beezus, tw…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Charlotte's Web (The Play) - Includes Sample Writing Tas…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This story of friends…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Tops and Bottoms
In this trickster tale, Bear and Hare are involved in a gardening partnership. Industrious, clever Hare makes a deal with Bear— H…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
Country Mouse invites her friend, City Mouse to visit her in the country. City Mouse does not enjoy the country and convinces Country M…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Dear Mr. Henshaw - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. The main character, L…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Two Bad Ants
Two ants, along with others from their nest, set out to gather crystals for their queen. Initially staying and keeping crystals for the…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday - Includes Sa…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. The story is about a …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Dear Mrs. LaRue
Mrs. LaRue sends her dog, Ike, to obedience school because of a series of inappropriate behaviors that he displays toward everyone. Ike…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Prudy's Problem - Includes Sample Writing Task
Most kids collect something. Prudy collects everything! Rocks, stamps, foil, worn-out toothbrushes, pretty paper napkins, tufts of hair…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Lou Gehrig The Luckiest Man - Includes Sample Writing Ta…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. The students will lea…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
My Name is Maria Isabel
More than one Maria in class causes Maria Isabel to worry for weeks about not being in the pageant, when the teacher confuses their nam…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Akiak - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. “Akiak” i…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Inside Out
In this story, Francisco comes from Mexico to a new school, and he has difficulty understanding the English language and communicating …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Across the Wide Dark Sea - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. A boy and his family …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Aero and Officer Mike - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This nonfiction story…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Yonder Mountain - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Chief Sky, the belove…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Dogzilla - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Dogzilla is a fantasy…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Includes Sample Writing Ta…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Karana is a Native Am…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Tomas and the Library Lady - Includes Sample Writing Tas…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. With the help of the …
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses - Includes Sample Writing Task…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Bob Lemmons, an Afric…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Thunder Rose - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Rose is a child with …
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
The Horned Toad Prince - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this tale, a girl …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
My Rows and Piles of Coins
This is a story about Saruni, a young boy, and his family, who are both consumers and sellers in a market in Tanzania. There are many e…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Katie's Trunk - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Katie, whose family i…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Marven Of the Great North Woods - Includes Sample Writin…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. To keep their only so…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Extra Good Sunday
Beverly Cleary tells the story of a family on a rainy Sunday in a household full of bad moods. Ramona’s father suggests they all …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Ruby The Copycat - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Ruby wants to fit in …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Coyote Places the Stars - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this story, Coyote…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
The Perfect Pet - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Elizabeth was very de…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World - Includes Sam…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Justin is upset that …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Ellen Ochoa, Astronaut - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This is a biography o…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
First Day Jitters
Sarah is nervous about starting a new school and shows it by trying to stay in bed and saying she’s too sick to go to school. The…
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- 09/14/14
- 2 FILES
The Cricket in Times Square - Includes Sample Writing Ta…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Chester Cricket meets…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
The Night of San Juan - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This is a story of th…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Donovan's Word Jar
Donovan asks his grandmother for advice as to what he should do with his collection of words in a jar, and she shows Donovan how he can…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Sees Behind Trees - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In the beginning, Wal…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Wings - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In the story Wings, I…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Albertosaurus Mystery
This informational text describes how paleontologists continue to investigate unanswered questions about dinosaurs. (Houghton Mifflin H…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
The Emperor and the Kite - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Djeow Seow is the sma…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Half Chicken
The folktale “Half-Chicken” is about a chicken hatched with only half a body, one leg, one wing, one eye, and only half as …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Keeping Quilt
Patricia’s Great-Grandmother comes to America as a child from Russia. She creates a quilt that is passed on from generation to ge…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Stone Soup
This folktale is about three monks who visit a village filled with unhappy people. The villagers do not welcome the monks, so the three…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
One Riddle, One Answer - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This story is a folkt…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Stories That Julian Tells
Julian meets Gloria, a new girl in his neighborhood. Together they make a wish kite, with wishes fastened to its tail; both wish for la…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride
Pilot Amelia Earhart and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt are good friends and one night, after dinner at the White House, Amelia then offe…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
My Side of the Mountain
Sam Gribley has been living alone in the woods all summer, but fall has arrived and the fear of winter has forced Sam to think of new w…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Mighty Jackie the Strikeout Queen - Includes Sample Writ…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. For as long as she co…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Journey
This Informational text focuses on the migration habits of the grasshopper/locust and the gray whale. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journe…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Wolf!
This fantasy tells the story of a wolf who learns to read to gain the respect and friendship of farm animals. (McGraw-Hill Treasures, 2…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Leonardo's Horse - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This narrative nonfic…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Mae Jemison Space Scientist - Includes Sample Writing Ta…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Throughout her life, …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Grandfather's Journey
As a young man tells the story of his grandfather’s journey from Japan to the United States he reveals that the two actually have…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Trapped by the Ice! Grade 5 Version
This is the grade 5 version of this lesson for this title. A grade 3 version is also available. A crew of sailors captained by S…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest
“Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest” takes the reader on a journey around the world to various continents found on Earth th…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
A little boy loses his neighbor’s dog inside the mysterious garden of Abdul Gasazi, who tells the boy that he has turned the dog …
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Nights of the Pufflings - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Puffins raise their y…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
My Brother Martin
In the memoir, Martin’s big sister Christine tells how they grew up during a time when blacks and whites lived separately. Martin…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Yunmi and Halmoni's Trip - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Yunmi's first trip to…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
A Boy Called Slow
Tradition in the Lakota Sioux involves giving a name to a child based on his actions, so a young child who moves slowly in all he does …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Cendrillion
In this Caribbean Cinderella story, Cendrillon is treated as a servant by her step-mother and half-sister. Nannin, the godmother, uses …
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- 09/22/14
- 2 FILES
Amelia Earhart: First Lady of Flight - Includes Sample W…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In 1937, pilot Amelia…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
And Then What Happened: Paul Revere
Silversmith Paul Revere takes his famous midnight ride to warn Americans that British soldiers are advancing. (Houghton Mifflin Harcour…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
The Land I Lost - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. “The Land I Los…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Aunt Flossie's Hats
Sarah and Susan are sisters who enjoy spending Sunday afternoons with their great-great Aunt Flossie. Aunt Flossie entertains her great…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
A Mr. Rubbish Mood
Judy Moody is on a mission to save the rain forest. Not only has she chosen to make this her mission, she is also determined to make it…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
A Symphony of Whales
Glashka uses her innate connection and intuition with nature to help bring together the community in hopes of trying to save the lives …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Uncle Jed's Barbershop
Despite obstacles in his life such as a family illness and the Great Depression, Uncle Jed achieved his dream of opening a barbershop a…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere warned the colonist of an advancing attack by the British army. Revere rode his horse through the ni…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Penguin Chick
In this nonfiction selection, an Emperor penguin lays an egg in the bitter cold of Antarctica. The penguin parents battle the harsh env…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Sleds on Boston Common - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. 9-year old Henry Pric…
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Turtle Bay - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. A boy named Taro help…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
On the Banks of Plum Creek - Includes Sample Writing Tas…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this historical fi…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Boom Town
A family moves into an unpopulated area. With the ingenuity of one young girl, a town is established and grows. The idea of supply and …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Snowflake Bentley
This biography details the life of Wilson Bentley, a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of individual snowflakes in order…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Gertrude Ederle
In this story Gertrude Ederle overcomes obstacles, both physical and social, in order to prevail at her lifelong dream of being the fir…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Lost and Found
Two students hide in the bathroom in order to avoid taking the math test, eventually telling their teacher they were trapped yb a giant…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Mrs. Frisby and the Crow - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this fantasy story…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
What Do Illustrators Do?
This narrative nonfiction story sequences the steps an illustrator follows when creating pictures for a story. The author tells the sto…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Strongest One
This is a Zuni play about an ant in the search to find out who is strongest of all. The ant talks with numerous characters to find out …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
A Very Important Day
In this story, several different families from other countries prepare to become US citizens. Characters from different cultures share …
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- 09/06/13
- 2 FILES
Picasso - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This excerpt from a b…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Beauty and The Beast
A Prince must find a girl who will love him, in spite of his frightening curse. (McGraw-Hill Imagine It!, 2008) This lesson was create…
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- 09/14/14
- 2 FILES
Sarah, Plain and Tall - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Anna and Caleb Wittin…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Author, A True Story
The author, Helen Lester, traces her writing career from the age of three to adulthood. She shares her struggles with writing in elemen…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Cook-A-Doodle-Doo
In this work of fiction, Rooster and his eager friends set out to make strawberry shortcake, a recipe from Little Red Hen’s cookb…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Ballad of Mulan
When war breaks out in Mulan’s land and her father is drafted into the army, Mulan makes a great sacrifice when she disguises her…
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- 09/11/13
- 1 FILE
A Story, A Story
This African folk tale explains how many African tales came to be known as “Spider stories.” In this tale, Ananse, the Spid…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Shiloh
This story is an excerpt from a novel. It is about a boy named Marty who wants to save a runaway dog from being abused. He brings the d…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Chang and the Bamboo Flute - Includes Sample Writing Tas…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. After a storm damages…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Heat Wave!
A fantastic heat wave hits a Kansas farm, roasting the geese, popping the corn in the fields, and causing other distressing events. The…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Officer Buckle and Gloria
Police Officer Buckle gives safety speeches that no one listens to until a police dog, Gloria, joins him. Because Gloria acts out the s…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Baker's Neighbor
In this play, the neighborhood baker Manuel bakes delicious smelling pastries and puts them out for sale each morning, but his neighbor…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Goin' Someplace Special
Tricia Ann begs her grandmother to be allowed to go to Someplace Special all on her own, and reluctantly, her grandmother agrees, telli…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Boss Of the Plains
This biography relates the life of John Batterson Stetson as a hatting apprentice until he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and decided …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
In this expository text, the author provides important factual highpoints, influential people, and interesting morsels of information a…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Life On the Ice
In this nonfiction story, readers learn how and why scientists brave the extreme conditions of both poles in order to do research that …
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
When Esther Morris Headed West - Includes Sample Writing…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this biography, Es…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Balto
Diphtheria has broken out in Nome, Alaska. Teams of sled dogs carry medicine 800 miles over snow and ice to prevent an epidemic. Everyo…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family - Includes Samp…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Mary (Yingmei) Yang i…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Saguaro Cactus - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. The Saguaro Cactus is…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Happy Birthday Dr. King
When ten-year old Jamal’s grandfather hears that the boy is in trouble for fighting to sit in the back of the bus, he tells Jamal…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Skylark
In this story, a family struggles on a prairie farm during a drought. They are forced to make a painful choice when their water soon ru…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Raising Dragons
A young girl raises a dragon on her family’s farm. The young girl takes the dragon to Dragon Island, but returns to the farm with…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Last Dragon
A young boy, Peter, is hesitant to spend the summer with his great aunt in Chinatown. Peter finds an aging parade dragon in a store and…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Allie's Basketball Dream
Allie has a new basketball. She has a hard time finding someone to play with her because they believe basketball is a boys’ game.…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Dear Juno
Juno receives a letter from his grandmother who lives in Seoul, Korea. Even though he cannot read the Korean-language text, she is able…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Babe and I
This historical fiction story takes place in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression in New York City. Baseball was king and Babe Rut…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Mysterious Giant
In this folktale, the town of Barletta faces destruction until Zia Concetta asks the town’s giant statue for help. With a clever …
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
McBroom the Rainmaker - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. In this tall tale, Jo…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Tanya's Reunion
Tanya is initially thrilled to be heading early to Grandma’s Virginia family farm for a reunion, but it's not as much fun as she …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Wildfires
Wildfires can cause damage but also play a critical role in the renewal of forests and grasslands. Through the example of the 1988 Yell…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Pepita Talks Twice
Pepita stops speaking Spanish because she is tired of being the neighborhood translator. However, when a disaster nearly occurs, Pepita…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Leah's Pony
This story takes place in the 1930s in the Great Plains region of the United States devastated by a great drought. Leah had been given …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
One Small Place in a Tree
This expository nonfiction text is about how an oak tree may become vulnerable to disease from its bark being damaged by a bear clawing…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Eye of the Storm
This book describes how storm chaser Warren Faidley finds storms and photographs them, as well as how he makes a living off his photogr…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Since Hanna Moved Away
This poem describes the feelings of a girl whose best friend, Hanna, has moved away. The little girl feels that nothing will be the sam…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
La Bamba
Manuel, a fifth grader, feels average and lacks confidence in himself. He has doubts about volunteering for the elementary school talen…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Davy Crockett Saves the World
In this tall tale, Davy Crockett lives in the woods where he combs his hair with a rake and shaves his beard with an ax, but Halley&rsq…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Jones Family Express
This realistic fictional story is about Steven and his Aunt Carolyn. The two have always shared a special bond; each time Aunt Carolyn …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Roadrunner's Dance
A Rattlesnake proclaims that he is king of the road, and he terrorizes villagers and refuses to let them pass on the road. The villager…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Wings For The King - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. The king wants to fly…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Here's My Dollar
Angel Arrellano, a nine-year-old girl from Fresno, CA. spearheaded a campaign to raise money to be donated to the local zoo. Her enthus…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Pioneer Girl
“Pioneer Girl” relates the real-life experiences of the McCance family, Nebraska homesteaders in 1885, combining narrative …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Anthony Reynoso
Nine-year old Anthony is proud of his history, culture, and family tradition of Mexican rodeo-style roping and riding. He also enjoys v…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Rocks In His Head
As a child, the author’s father was fascinated by rocks.This interest consumed the young boy as he collected them in all of his s…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Seal Surfer
Ben goes to the beach and watches a seal being born. Over the next few seasons, Ben develops a special bond with this seal, a bond that…
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- 09/19/13
- 1 FILE
Home Grown Butterflies
This nonfiction piece tells about Barbara del Colorado, a village in Costa Rica. People needed a way to make money; a scientist suggest…
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- 09/14/14
- 2 FILES
The Legend of Damon and Pythias - Includes Sample Writin…
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Damon and Pythias are…
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- 08/22/13
- 2 FILES
Galileo - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. Galileo refines the t…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
A Pen Pal for Max
This realistic fiction story is about a young boy, Max, who is growing up on a large fruit farm in Chile and how he wants to find a fri…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Gloria Estefan
Along with her worldwide musical fame, Gloria Estefan also experienced tragedy, but continued to help others in unfortunate situations.…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Nate The Great
Detective Nate the Great searches San Francisco for a lost joke book. He discovers that the wrong place can be the best place to look f…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Sing to the Stars
Ephram loves to play the violin, and when he discovers that a blind neighbor was once a musician, but stopped playing the piano due to …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Little Grunt and the Big Egg
Life in the Grunt tribe changes when a baby dinosaur hatches from the huge egg that Little Grunt drags home for brunch. (Houghton Miffl…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Red Kayak
In this excerpt, Brady and his friends don’t demonstrate good judgment when they choose not to warn Mrs. DiAngelo early that morn…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
What About Me?
This fable is about a boy’s search for knowledge. To achieve his goal, the boy barters with characters ranging from a carpet make…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Dancing Rainbows
Curt, a young Tewa Indian, and his grandfather, Andy, prepare for Feast Day. They enjoy the good food, beautiful dances, colorful costu…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Day Eddie Met the Author
The students at Riverside Elementary School are excited about a visit from a real author. The class has been reading books by the autho…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Schools Around The World
This informational, nonfiction selection describes how schools are different in various parts of the world and includes “amazing …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Rosie, A Visiting Dog's Story
Rosie is a Tibetan terrier whose friendly nature makes her a perfect visiting dog. After a lot of training, she brings comfort to peopl…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Just Plain Fancy
“Just Plain Fancy” is the story of a young Amish girl, Naomi, who longs to have something fancy in her life. But when an sh…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Volcanoes
In this passage about volcanoes, science writer Seymour Simon explains the characteristics of the different types of volcanoes, and how…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
How Animals Talk
“How Animals Talk” is an informational, nonfiction selection describing how various animals communicate or send messages. A…
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- 09/22/14
- 2 FILES
Dinosaur Ghosts - Includes Sample Writing Task
This lesson includes scaffolded analytical writing tasks that provide examples for teaching Common Core writing. This story is about a…
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- 09/11/13
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The Talent Show
Benny is nervous about the upcoming talent show. After a talk with her parents, Beany realizes that the most important thing is doing w…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Hatchet
In this excerpt, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson overcomes the initial hurdles of survival in the Canadian wilderness. As he ward…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Waterfall
A boy on a family backpacking adventure discovers an amazing waterfall and decides he wants to climb to the top. The boy becomes a lead…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Folk Tales From Asia
These tales, from Vietnam, Thailand, and China, all demonstrate how it takes the strengths of many to accomplish goals and make a diffe…
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- 09/14/14
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When Charlie McButton Lost Power
In this poem, Charlie loses access to his favorite activities, panics, and makes an impulsive decision that hurts his sister’s fe…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Class President
The election for class president of the 5th grade shapes up as a two-way race between Cricket and Lucas, but throughout the course of t…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Go Around Dollar
“The Go-Around Dollar” is a selection that combines two genres: realistic fiction and expository text. It provides an enter…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
The Planets in Our Solar System
This informational, nonfiction text introduces the solar system and its many parts – the sun, the eight planets, the satellites o…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Danitra Brown Leaves Town
“Danitra Brown Leaves Town” is a series of poems about two young city girls, Danitra and Zuri, who are best friends, and Da…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Centerfield Ballhawk
Young Jose’ Mendez is a terrific centerfielder but a weak hitter. Jose’ wants his father to be proud of him. When his fathe…
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- 08/22/13
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James Forten
James Forten, a free African American in Philadelphia, joins the United States’ fight for freedom on the high sea. After the Revo…
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- 09/06/13
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If You Made a Million
This text explains the nuts and bolts of how different types of coins, bills, and checks; how they are connected; and how your dollars …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Poppa's New Pants
Poppa buys himself some new pants that need hemming. The women of his family are too tired to hem the pants before church the following…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Cocoa Ice
"Cocoa Ice" is set in the early 1800s and describes the exchange that occurs when a trading ship from Maine travels to the Caribbean vi…
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- 08/22/13
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Passage to Freedom
The family of a Japanese diplomat, Mr. Sugihara, living in Lithuania in 1940, is confronted by Jewish refugees asking for Japanese visa…
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- 08/22/13
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The Fear Place
Despite his fear, Doug Grillo must cross a terrifying mountain ledge to find his missing brother. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Reading, 2…
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- 08/22/13
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In the Days of King Adobe
A poor but generous old woman gives two roguish travelers a night’s lodging and a dinner that includes slices of her treasured ha…
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- 08/22/13
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The Story of Jumping Mouse
The Story of Jumping Mouse is a legend told by the Native Americans of the Great Plains. This is a tale of a compassionate, courageous …
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- 08/22/13
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We'll Never Forget You, Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente grew up in Puerto Rico where he discovered a love and passion for baseball, and became a famous Hall of Fame baseball …
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- 08/22/13
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The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung
This story is written from the perspective of Wong Ming-Chung, a young Chinese boy who traveled to America to join his uncle during the…
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- 09/06/13
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Roxaboxen
In this realistic fiction story, young children’s powers of imagination create the town of Roxaboxen filled with houses, building…
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- 08/22/13
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Blue Willow
Janey’s father is an immigrant worker and this forces Janey and her family to move around every few months, but Janey finds a fri…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Hattie's Birthday Box
Seventy-four years ago, Spencer gave his sister Hattie a wooden box as a wedding gift, and though it was empty, told her there was some…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Adventurers
This play is about a group of boys and girls who are summertime campers at the National Sea Base camp in the Florida Keys. Their advent…
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- 09/14/14
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Lon Po Po
This is the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood. In the story, the mother leaves 3 children home alone as she goes to visit…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Wild Shots, They're My Life
A wildlife photographer describes her love for animals and how she took some of her favorite up-close photos of them. (Houghton Mifflin…
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- 08/22/13
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One Grain of Rice
A raja decrees that the villagers must give most of the rice they harvest to him. He promises to store it safely and distribute it in t…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Rugby and Rosie
In this story, a boy has a dog named Rugby with whom he is great friends. One day a puppy named Rosie joins the family. Rugby does not …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Saving The Sand Dunes
This nonfiction text discusses how a fourth grade class at Union Avenue School worked hard to protect the New Jersey shoreline by plant…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Bridge Dancers
In this book, two sisters, Maisie and Callie, are faced with a challenging situation. Callie gets hurt while their mother is away and M…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Jane Goodall's 10 Ways to Help Save Wildlife
Internationally known scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall offers ten suggestions for ways we can all help save wildlife. From th…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Ranita the Frog Princess
In this play, a young princess’ refusal to help an elderly woman resulted in her being cursed to live like a frog for many years,…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Satchel Paige
An African American named Leroy ʺSatchelʺ Paige was one of the greatest baseball pitchers that ever lived, but baseball was a segregate…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Zathura
Danny and Walter Budwing are two brothers who don't get along, and one day, when they are home alone, Walter, the elder, chases his lit…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Mystic Horse
In this legend, the author uses the struggles of a poverty stricken boy and his grandmother to show how even in their trials, the decis…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Four Dollars and Fifty Cents
In this tall tale story, deadbeat Shorty Long has to avoid the people to whom he owes money. He tries to trick Widow Macrae out of $4.5…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Summer of Fire
This article describes the out-of-control fires that took place during the summer of 1988. It focuses on the unpredictable fires of the…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Koko's Kitten
Koko’s Kitten is the story of Koko, a gorilla, who longs to have a kitten as her “baby." Koko is able to communicate her lo…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Cows in the Parlor
"Cows in the Parlor: A Visit to a Dairy Farm" is an expository article about the daily running of a dairy farm. Students learn about a …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
My Great Grandmother's Gourd
In this story, the people of Fatima’s village found a new way of living that replaced old traditions, but despite ridicule, her g…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Kai's Journey to Gold Mountain
In 1934, 12-year-old Kai travels alone by steamship from China to Gold Mountain (United States) to live with his father. When Kai arriv…
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- 08/22/13
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Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson begins with the grandfather sharing the historical underpinnings of the blues, including a brief history of the African…
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- 08/22/13
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Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
This is an autobiographical account of Michelle Kwan’s rise to figure skating fame. It details her transformation from a novice t…
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- 08/22/13
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Iditarod Dream
Dusty Whittemore faces several challenges and below-freezing weather during the Junior Iditarod race in Alaska. Two tangles, a snowmobi…
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- 08/22/13
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Mimicry and Camouflage
This expository nonfiction text is about how living things have adapted traits of mimicry or camouflage to either fool or attract prey …
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- 08/22/13
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Salmon Summer
Like his Aleut ancestors, Alex continues the tradition of catching salmon, during their spawning at Kodiak Island in Alaska, to feed fa…
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- 10/23/14
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Navajo Code Talkers
This lesson was initially created through the Basal Alignment Project and was then further developed by the 4th grade team from Pleasan…
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- 08/22/13
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The Grizzly Bear Family Book
In this nonfiction piece, the author shares what he learned about the way of life of grizzly bears after spending a full year in Alaska…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
When Washington Crossed the Delaware
This nonfiction narrative is an account of two battles of the Revolutionary War, Trenton and Princeton. American soldiers faced many di…
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- 09/14/14
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Earthquake Terror
This is the story of how 12-year-old Jonathan protects his younger sister, Abby, during an earthquake. Jonathan, Abby, and their …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Carlos and the Skunk
In this story, Carlos and Gloria have been friends since they were young, and Carlos begins to develop feelings for Gloria, so he decid…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Yang the Second and Her Secret Admirers
When Yinglan Yang is uninterested in American culture after the family’s move from China, her brother and sister plot to change h…
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- 08/22/13
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The Golden Lion Tamarin Comes Home
In “The Golden Lion Tamarin Comes Home,” the golden lion tamarin’s survival has been threatened by human development.…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Shutting Out the Sky
This excerpt focuses on a sixteen year old boy, Marcus Ravage, who travels to America (New York) from Romania. He hopes to become rich …
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- 08/22/13
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Firestorm
When Axel and his family take a rafting trip down the swift Salmon River, they sense little risk when smoke appears in the quiet, dry w…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Hurricanes
This nonfiction story presents facts and details about how and where hurricanes are formed, the ways in which people are warned of hurr…
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- 08/22/13
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Everglades
As five children travel through the Florida Everglades by canoe, their guide tells them about the evolution of the landscape and life f…
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- 08/22/13
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Mountains
In this informational text the author describes mountains in different parts of the world. He tells about the effects of erosion on mou…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
A Tree is Growing
This informational text describes the ways in which trees are made up of many important parts that grow and change. (Houghton Mifflin H…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Daring Nellie Bly
In the story, Nellie Bly wants to break the fictional record of Jules Verne’s character, Phileas Fogg, who traveled around the wo…
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- 08/22/13
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Line Drive
This autobiography takes place in the 1960’s, when girls were not allowed to play on boys’ baseball teams, so even though T…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Garden of Happiness
Marisol watches her neighbors excited about making a vacant lot beautiful, so she hunts and hunts and finds her own little patch where …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Finding the Titanic
Robert Ballard describes how he and his team discovered the Titanic in 1985. Through a flashback to the story of 12-year old Ruth…
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- 09/14/14
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A Package for Mrs. Jewls
While cleaning the schoolyard, Louis accepts a package for Mrs. Jewls. It is very large and heavy, but he carries it up 30 flights of s…
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- 08/22/13
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The Marble Champ
Even though Lupe Medrano is the top student at her school, she is a failure at sports until she tries her hand at marbles, so she pract…
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- 09/10/14
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The Science Fair
A third grade girl named Beany creates a science fair project with her partner, Kevin. Beany is not confident that their project is the…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Elena
During the Mexican Revolution, a heroic mother, Elena, struggles to protect her family after her husband dies from an accident, and she…
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- 08/22/13
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Dear Mrs. Parks
Mrs. Parks gives advice to students on a variety of issues by answering some of the letters she has received over her lifetime. She emb…
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- 08/22/13
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Mariah Keeps Cool
With the help of her friends and family, Mariah plans a surprise party for her sister Lynn. After many close calls, the party is succes…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Red Riding Hood
In this play, Red Writing Hood does not like the way her fairy tale ends, so she decides to change the events of her own fairy tale by …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Voyage of the Mayflower
The pilgrims from England traveled across the Atlantic Ocean in hopes of establishing a new colony in North America. The separatists or…
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- 08/22/13
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Toto
A timid young boy and a curious elephant face challenges and help each other as they grow into adulthood in a small village near a game…
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- 08/22/13
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Time For Kids: Kid Reporters at Work
Terrence Cheromcka and Martin Jacobs, two Time For Kids reporters, report on two very different organizations that involve children pla…
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- 08/22/13
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Two Tickets to Freedom
In this biography, a young couple, William and Ellen Craft, attempt to escape to freedom from slavery in Georgia. They disguise Ellen a…
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- 08/22/13
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Our Song
The story tells us about Josie’s relationship with her great-great-grandma. Josie and her family return to their homeland of Sene…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
So You Want to be an Inventor
This informational text details traits and characteristics that different inventors throughout history have demonstrated and how those …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Weaving a California Tradition
The entire Tex family is involved in the hard work of basket making, preserving a tribal tradition. They gather materials from various …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose
Pablo Pizzaro, Idaville’s greatest boy artist, enters a New Nose Now contest, and sculpts a new nose for a statue of Abraham Linc…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Going West
A typical day in the life of a 1840's pioneer began early in the morning and involved a great deal of hard work and persistence from ea…
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- 08/22/13
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Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life
Hewitt is quite extraordinary--though he is a son of giants, he is small in stature, yet quite adept at taking care of himself and, wor…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Martha Helps the Rebel
This play takes place in South Carolina in 1780 during the American Revolution, when a mother and her daughter are going about their da…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Escape
In this excerpt from Charlotte’ Web, Wilbur, a bored and lonely young pig, wants a little excitement. A friendly goose shows Wilb…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Emerald's Egg
This informational narrative in the form of a play is about a group of fourth grade students who volunteer to work with rangers on Padr…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
John Muir and Stickeen
In the beginning of the story, John Muir doesn’t want to be bothered by a dog and is irritated that Stickeen is even with him muc…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Fire!
In this text, students learn about the daily role of a firefighter and the importance of firefighters in communities past and present. …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Grand Canyon: A Trail Through Time
This nonfiction narrative is about the Grand Canyon, its many landforms, and the animals that live there. It explores how the Col…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Maya Lin: Architect of Memory
This is an informational article about a woman named Maya Lin who has designed monuments around the country honoring historic events. (…
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- 08/22/13
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Oceans
This excerpt describes how oceans work: the relationship between the phases of the moon and tides, and the dangers of deadly tidal wave…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Medicine: Past and Present
Major medical discoveries are detailed over time. Diverse individuals, using scientific methods and innovation, determined causes for d…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
My Two Drawings
As a child, the narrator describes how his magnificent career as an artist was ended at an early age by adults who lacked imagination, …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Night Journey
In this story, Rache is learning about the shocking history of her family through her Nana Sashie’s story about her family’…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
Encantado Pink Dolphin of the Amazon
This expository nonfiction story includes photographs is divided into sections that describes the Amazon, pink river dolphins and their…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Messages by the Mile
Scientists Dr. Roger Payne and Dr. Katherine Payne have discovered that the use of infrasonic sounds is a method of communication used …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Two Days in May
Sonia, her father, and a group of their neighbors launch a peaceful protest to help 5 deer that have wandered into their city neighborh…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Love as Strong as Ginger
In this story, a young girl shares what it is like to spend time with her grandmother at her home and at her job at the crab chong wher…
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- 11/18/14
- 1 FILE
Jalapeño Bagels
"Jalapeño Bagels" is a story about a young bi-cultural boy named Pablo on a search to find a dish to bring to school for Interna…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
Suki's Kimono
Suki's favorite possession is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her obachan (grandmother), it holds special memories of her grandmoth…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Ghost Towns of the American West
This text depicts how the Westward Expansion left a lasting impact on America. The massive migration of people to the American West dur…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Seeing Earth From Space
The ability to see Earth from space helps scientists to understand both how the planet works and how human activities are affecting the…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Coming of the Long Knives
After Bright Morning's tribe is commanded by the Long Knives (the United States soldiers) to leave the canyon that is their home, the t…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
Exploding Ants
Exploding Ants is an expository non-fiction text that explains how animals adapt to survive in their environment. (Pearson Reading Stre…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Great Kapok Tree
In this fantasy by Lynn Cherry, a man is trying to cut down a kapok tree in the Amazon rainforest. After a while of cutting the h…
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- 09/24/13
- 1 FILE
Woodsong
In this narrative, Gary Paulsen describes the relationship, which develops between himself and a dog named “Storm,” the lea…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Pedro Puts on a Play
Pedro’s teacher gives a weekend homework assignment that is supposed to be fun for everyone, but Pedro is worried that he doesn&r…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
When Schlemiel Went to Warsaw
Schlemiel is a lazy peasant from the town of Chelm with dreams of travelling. Taking a trip to Warsaw, he is tricked into retracing his…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
The Skunk Ladder
This story is about two boys, “Crazy” Eddie and the narrator, the imaginative contraptions they create, and their wacky adv…
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Angel Child, Dragon Child
During her first days at school in America, Ut experiences alienation and separation. Later, she finds understanding and acceptance. Wi…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
The Search
Miguel went with his father and brothers on their annual sheep move in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, but some of the sheep got lost d…
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Time for Kids Beyond the Horizon
In this article, Mr. Koffi Annan spoke to world leaders on the issue of protecting our environment. He states that since the beginning …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
By the Shores of Silver Lake
Laura Ingalls and her family are traveling by train to meet her father in Tracy. This story describes their first train ride as t…
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- 11/18/14
- 1 FILE
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamand…
Leroy Brown, otherwise known as Encyclopedia, is a great detective and helps his father solve crimes. One night at dinner, they d…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
To become a member of the ship’s crew, Charlotte Doyle must pass a test of climbing to the top of the mast. She faces physi…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Gardener
Lydia Grade is sent to live with her Uncle Jim while her parents look for work. She happily settles in to her new home where she …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Antarctic Ice
The story explains the life of animals that live in Antarctica. The author describes life for the animals as they wait for summer…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Dragons and Dinosaurs
Since ancient times, people have used bones and fossils to imagine what animals that lived in the past were like. When scientists and p…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Talking Walls: Art for the People
This informational selection introduces the reader to artists that express their feelings and experiences through painting murals in th…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
A Guide to Basketball
The article gives factual information about the when, where and how the game of basketball began and how it is played. (Houghton Miffli…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
A Kind of Grace
In Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s autobiography, she writes of the challenges she faced early on while becoming a track and field athlete…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Old Yeller and the Bear
With Papa away on a cattle drive, fourteen-year-old Travis is in charge of looking after the family homestead on the Texas plains, mile…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Spiders and Their Webs
The informational text includes text features, such as photographs and captions, to give an overview of information about spiders and t…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Olympic Games: Where Heroes Are Made
The Olympic Games have grown and changed since the first contests were held in Ancient Greece. However, one aspect of the games remains…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Adventures of Sojourner
The Adventurers of Sojourner presents a third-person narrative account of the Mars Pathfinder mission, which included the deployment of…
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- 11/18/14
- 1 FILE
Talk with an Astronaut
A group of fifth grade students interview the first Hispanic American astronaut, Ellen Ochoa. The interview is a question and ans…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Chuck Close Up Close
Chuck Close is an American artist who overcomes many obstacles in his life, both unexpected and self-induced. He overcame his fir…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Time for Kids: Coasting to California
This non-fiction article gives information about the Chinese immigrants who came to California in the 1800’s seeking prosperity. …
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Girl Who Married the Moon
Two female cousins spend their life doing everything together. One night they realize they are both in love with the Moon and wish to m…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
My Diary from Here to There
This personal narrative introduces the genre of a diary to the students. “My Diary from Here to There,” takes the rea…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Climb or Die
In this story, after their car crashes in a blizzard and their parents are injured, Danielle and Jake must climb to a weather station n…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Hot and Cold Summer
Before they ever met her, Rory and Derek made a pact not to speak to Bolivia, the new girl in town. After Bolivia orchestrates a …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Case of the Three Bears Breakfast
Sam and Cam own a detective agency. They are contacted by the Bear family, who is upset because their banana pancakes have been eaten a…
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- 11/18/14
- 1 FILE
Seeker of Knowledge
The author describes the life of Jean-Francois Champollion. This selection uses text and graphics together as a vehicle to deepen the r…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Journey to the Moon
“Journey to the Moon” reflects a huge achievement of landing men on the moon. In 1969, three astronauts (Neil Armstrong, Bu…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
The Gymnast
Gary Soto writes an autobiography about a time when he was eleven years old, wanting to be a gymnast like his cousin. He thinks i…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Great Wall
This expository text selection outlines the efforts of the Chinese people to build the Great Wall to protect them from the Mongol invad…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
American Slave, American Hero
The Lewis and Clark expedition explored unmapped territory from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean from 1804-1806. The expedition …
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
Houdini's Box
Victor, a 10-year-old boy, is fascinated with Harry Houdini’s magic tricks. On the date of the visit, Mrs. Houdini tells Victor t…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay
The selection is about Ghana, an ancient culture that was one of Africa’s great trading empires in the third century A.D. G…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Challenge
In this short story, Jose learns a valuable lesson about himself when he tries to impress Estella by challenging her to a game of racqu…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The Lost Temple of the Aztecs
The Lost City of the Aztecs is about the demise of the Aztec Empire and how Montezuma, the last Aztec emperor, reacted to the arrival o…
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- 09/27/14
- 1 FILE
Jump
In this story, Michael Jordan is a very active child. His family helps him to channel his energy into positive activities and eventuall…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Astronaut and the Onion
Gloria waits in a checkout line, tossing around the onion her mother had sent her to buy. She tosses it too far and fears it’s go…
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- 02/17/16
- 1 FILE
Fly Eagle Fly
After a stormy night, a farmer searching for his lost calf finds a baby eagle that has been blown out of its nest. He takes it home and…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Cliffhanger
In this story, Dag and his son Axel are at their climbing school in the Teton Mountains when the family dog, Grits, is stranded on Cath…
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- 09/11/14
- 1 FILE
How to Babysit an Orangutan
In this nonfiction text, orphaned orangutans are cared for and raised at Camp Leakey on the island of Borneo, including the skills the …
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
The View from Saturday
Nadia’s parents were recently divorced and Nadia is spending the summer with her father in Florida, where Grandpa Izzy lives. Gra…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
We’ll Be Right Back After These Messages
This informational article is about how TV advertisers intend to persuade viewers to buy products through television advertising. …
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- 09/06/13
- 1 FILE
Whose Habitat Is It?
In this nonfiction article, the author addresses the problems associated with urban sprawl. Urban sprawl destroys animal and plant habi…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Beneath Blue Waters
Beneath Blue Waters comes from the trade book with the same title. It focuses on the layers of the ocean. This selection ta…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
I Love Saturdays y Domingos
Saturdays and Sundays are very special days for the young girl in this story. On Saturdays, she visits Grandma and Grandpa, who come fr…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
It Takes Talent
When the student’s teacher announces that the school will be holding a talent show, the students are all very excited, with the e…
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Franklin R. Chang-Diaz
Franklin R. Chang-Diaz is an immigrant from Costa Rica who began thinking about space at age seven when the Soviet Union launched the f…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Voyage Across the Solar System
This selection is written as a Readers’ Theater where the students read the script aloud. The script is written as a fictional tr…
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- 10/23/14
- 1 FILE
The Unsinkable Wreck Of The R.M.S. Titanic
The story is presented through the eyes of the authors and goes back and forth between documenting for the reader the events of the mos…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Klondike Kate
At a time when it was unusual for women to travel alone to Alaska, Kate Ryan leaves her home in Canada and travels to the Alaskan front…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary
The story follows the lives of three new-born wolves over a ten and one half month period. It encompasses the various stages thro…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Stealing Home
Thomas and his Grandfather share a small house with, their cat and pet duck. One day Thomas’s great-aunt Linzy comes to stay for …
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Last Summer with Maizon
One definition of a protagonist is a character that goes through change. And part of the definition is that the antagonist is the…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The Talking Cloth
Amber, her brother, and her parents visit Aunt Phoebe, a traveler, collector and storyteller. Aunt Phoebe shares a cloth with th…
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- 09/10/14
- 1 FILE
Good-bye, 382 Shin Dang Dong
In this story, Jangmi moves from her home in Korea to a new home in the United States. At first she is sad about leaving behind her fri…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Two Lands, One Heart
TJ takes a trip to Vietnam with his mother to visit his grandparent’s farm. TJ learns a lot about the culture and lives of …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Lemons and Lemonade
This selection is a narrative nonfiction story about supply and demand. It gives readers information about the basics of starting…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Storm in the Night
“Storm in the Night” is a realistic fiction story that looks at the relationship between a grandfather and grandson. …
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Oral History
Before language was written, people from all over the world have recorded their family histories orally. They have used storytell…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Water Woman
In this biography, Amy VanDyken overcomes many challenges throughout her life to become an Olympic gold medalist. (Houghton Mifflin Har…
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- 09/11/14
- 1 FILE
Rope Burn
Richard moves to a new town and has to make new friends and face the challenge of climbing the rope in gym class. He makes a friend in …
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- 09/22/14
- 1 FILE
Out There
Although Danny is a young adult of only 17, he is fully capable of taking his father’s boat out to sea to fish. While out on a so…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
Satchmo’s Blues
Young Louis Armstrong, “Satchmo,” longs to play the horn, but his family has no money for such things. He was inspire…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
The School News
This text is a reader’s theater with seven parts set in the television studio of a school’s morning news network. The story…
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- 09/14/14
- 1 FILE
What’s in Store for the Future?
Modern inventions used to make lives easier harm the planet. There are several predictions about how towns of the future will be …
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- 09/10/14
- 1 FILE
Volcanoes: Natures Incredible Firework Show
Volcanoes show us how the earth changes. Volcanoes can be made of lava, gases, hot steam, ground-up rocks and melted rock called lava. …
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- 08/22/13
- 1 FILE
Trapped by the Ice! Grade 3 Version
This is the grade 3 version of this lesson for this title. A grade 5 version is also available. A crew of sailors captained by S…
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- 02/17/16
- 1 FILE
Did a Dino Drink This Water?
The author explains the complete water cycle and also discusses ocean currents, ocean and lake habitats, and hydroelectricity. He also …
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- 09/11/14
- 1 FILE
Sewed Up His Heart
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams must make the decision to perform a heart operation that could save a patient’s life but could also cond…
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- 09/11/14
- 1 FILE
Mom's Best Friend
Leslie and her family learn to adjust to life without their mother when she is away training her new dog guide, Ursula, after the passi…
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- 02/17/16
- 1 FILE
Elena's Serenade
Who ever heard of a girl glassblower? In Mexico, where the sun is called el sol and the moon is called la luna, a little girl called El…