PowerUp Fluency Passage Pack Foundational

FOR EDUCATORS
Fluency Passage Pack

Foundational Zone
This resource contains controlled passages designed to support formative

assessment as well as systematic, explicit, and frequent practice of oral
reading skills.
When used as part of the Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® blended learning model—in conjunction
with the online program and teacher-delivered instructional resources—the passages help
students build automaticity and fluency.
Each passage is formatted with additional line spacing, a wide right margin, and a line-by-line
running word count to provide opportunities for both practice and assessment.
Sample passage with teacher notes:
Foundational | Fluency
Oral Reading Passages
QUICKSAND
SYLLABLE DIVISION: VC/CLe
WORD COUNT: 184
— omitted word
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ on ✓ ✓R ✓ ✓ ✓ ^ inserted word
“It’s like being stuck in quicksand.” That’s what someone might 10
✓ - ✓ grab/SC ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - ✓R ✓ ✓ ✓ SC self correction

say when they grapple with a puzzle or a problem and see no 23
R repeated word
Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:
1:38 7 3 108 96%
Calculations
• words read correctly = total words – errors
• words correct per minute (wcpm) = words read correctly x 60 ÷ seconds to read passage
• accuracy = words read correctly ÷ total words x 100
Note: Self corrections and insertions do not count as errors.

Reading Fluency Passages: Controlled Text
Passage Title Word Analysis Skill Word Count Page
PowerUp Foundational Zone
Griffin and the Fix-it Jam Closed Syllables Overview 162 4
A Fantastic Act Closed Syllables: a & i 138 5
A Rabbit Closed Syllables: a & i 119 6
Catnap Closed Syllables: a & i 107 7
The X on the Map Closed Syllables: a & i 137 8
What Is in the Grass? Closed Syllables: a & i 101 9
Chipmunks Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 117 10
Drums Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 89 11
Fran's Fish Shack Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 173 12
Just Junk? Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 175 13
What a Stink! Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 161 14
Fish Facts Closed Syllables: all vowels 147 15
Get It Done! Closed Syllables: all vowels 162 16
In the Den Closed Syllables: all vowels 179 18
The Attic Hunt Closed Syllables: all vowels 169 20
The Theft Closed Syllables: all vowels 175 22
The Trip Consonant Blends 136 24
A Long Trip Consonant Digraphs 123 25
Time to Ice Skate Hard & Soft c 201 26
A Traffic Fan Sight Words 1 134 28
Sunfish Sight Words 2 120 29
What's in the Box? Sight Words 3 141 30
Whale Watching Sight Words 4 175 31
High Tide Silent-e Syllables 180 33
Nine Lives Silent-e Syllables 180 35
Safe from Fire Silent-e Syllables 182 37
continued on next page

Passage Title Word Analysis Skill Word Count Page
PowerUp Foundational Zone (continued)
Sinkholes Silent-e Syllables 162 39
Will Elwin Sing? Silent-e Syllables 180 40
A Note to Friends of Sunshine Lake Syllable Division: VC/CCV 166 42
Rabbit Twins Syllable Division: VC/CV 94 44
Check for Understanding Questions 45
Dimensions of Fluent Reading Rubric 51
Fluent Reading Student Checklist 52
National Oral Reading Fluency Norms 53

GRIFFIN AND THE FIX-IT JAM

CLOSED SYLLABLES OVERVIEW
WORD COUNT: 162
Griffin ran a small stand. At the stand, he had milk and jam. The jam 15
was fantastic, and it was a hit with people. If a man at the stand 30
was sad, Griffin would hand him a bit of the jam. “Have it! I insist.” 45
And the man would grin. If an infant was mad, Griffin would hand 58
it a bit of the jam. “Have it! I insist.” And the infant would grin. 73
Griffin was glad he had a fantastic fix-it jam at his stand. 85
As Griffin sat to fill a can of jam, a bandit ran past. Before Griffin 100
could blink, the bandit had all the milk and jam. Griffin had to 113
admit that without milk and jam his stand would sink, and he 125
would have to quit. 129
People ran to the stand. “We can fix it! We insist.” Griffin did not 143
have milk. He did not have his fantastic fix-it jam. He did have a 157
big grin and his pals. 162
4
A FANTASTIC ACT
CLOSED SYLLABLES: A & I
WORD COUNT: 141
I am Hannah the Grand, and I want you to sit right where you are. 15
I have a fantastic act for you. You might gasp. You might clasp your 29
hands. You won’t want to blink or you will miss it! 40
I have a silk hat. I can put my hand right through the hat. If I put a 58
strip of fabric in it, I can flip the hat and pull the fabric from there. If I 76
tip a drink into the hat, it will spill right out. 87
I want you people to clap as I tap the silk hat. Tap! Tap! Tap! It’s a 104
pink rabbit, right out of the hat! I do not want a pink rabbit. I want a 121
tan rabbit. Tap! Tap! Tap! There is the tan rabbit! 131
You have to admit that my act is fantastic, right?! 141
5
A RABBIT
WORD COUNT: 119
A rabbit is out there in the grass. I want it to sit still for me. I want 19
to put out my hand and pat the rabbit. I slip past a big plant. I stand as 36
still as I can. The rabbit does not blink. I slip through the grass. The 51
rabbit does not sniff me. I stand still. The rabbit is right before me. 65
This is fantastic! 68
I put out my hand to tap the rabbit. It does not sprint from me. 83
In fact, it is a bit stiff. I squint at it. I grin because I could put this 101
rabbit in my lap. Rabbits won’t sit still for people, but this rabbit will. 115
This rabbit is plastic! 119
6
CATNAP
WORD COUNT: 107
Tim can’t nap because of his cat. If Tim wants to have a nap on 15
a mat, the cat will sit there. If Tim wants to have a nap in the 31
van, the cat will sit there. If Tim wants to stand still and have a 46
nap where he is, the cat will sit on him. People might ask if Tim 61
could put the cat out so he could have a nap. Tim insists the cat 76
is his pal and a pal should come before a nap. He won’t admit 90
that if his cat was, in fact, a pal, it would grant him the right 105
to nap. 107
7
THE X ON THE MAP

WORD COUNT: 137
What is in the attic? There is a big bin with a clasp. In the bin is a silk 19
bag. In the silk bag is a map, and on the map is an X in big print. 37
It is a map of a tract of land where I have been. Does the X stand for 55
where people hid fantastic swag? I will have to dig there. 66
The X on the map insists I should dig where the land dips at the 81
pond. I dig there. It is a big task! At last, I have a big pit. 97
There is no fantastic swag. Am I at the right pond? I squint at the 112
map. By the X is a stamp: P-L-A-N-T-S. The X does stand for where to 127
dig. It is where to dig to put in plants! 137
8
WHAT IS IN THE GRASS?

WORD COUNT: 101
If you scan the grass, you might miss it. What is sprinting through 13
the grass? There are six hints in the list. 22
Hint 1: It is a mammal. 28
Hint 2: It is fast on land, but it won’t swim. 39
Hint 3: If it licks you, it is as if there is sand. 52
Hint 4: It might hiss and spit if it is in a conflict. 65
Hint 5: It could sniff out a rat and attack it. 76
Hint 6: It should come if you call it and sit in your lap to nap. 92
What is in the grass? It is a cat. 101
9
CHIPMUNKS
CLOSED SYLLABLES: A, I, O & U
WORD COUNT: 117
Chipmunks are animals that live in many places around the 10
world. They might live in a log or dig down in the land and live 25
there. They are busy animals and can run up, down, and around 37
rocks, stumps, and shrubs. Chipmunks are not big. In fact, they 48
could fit in your hand. Chipmunks eat a lot of nuts. You might 61
see them dash off with some to add to their stash. Chipmunks 73
will also eat the eggs of other animals, such as frogs. Chipmunks 85
have infants in the spring. The infant chipmunks live with their 96
mothers for a bit as pups. Dogs and bobcats hunt chipmunks. 107
Cats and rats are also not friends of the chipmunk. 117
10
DRUMS
WORD COUNT: 89
There is no lift like the lift of a drumstick before it hits. 13
From a tap-tap-tap 16
to a thump-thump-thump 19
to fast and frantic raps that shock the set, 28
drums will pull you out of a place 36
and put you in some other. 42
Dip and nod, jump and run, sing and chant. 51
Drums are in rock and rap and pop and jazz 61
because they drift with the song, 67
they conduct the song, 71
and they become the song. 76
There is no lift like the lift of a drumstick before it hits. 89
11
FRAN’S FISH SHACK

WORD COUNT: 173
What do you want to eat for lunch? What about some fish done just 14
right? What about clams, crabs, shrimp, and squid? Come down to 25
Fran’s Fish Shack, where you know your dish will be fantastic! 36
At Fran’s, we catch the fish just before lunch. You can eat it the very 51
instant the ship pulls into the dock. People come from around the 63
world just to eat lunch here. Grab a friend and stop in for a snack. 78
Sit down, put a napkin on your lap, smack your lips, and eat until you 93
are full! Come to Fran’s Fish Shack, and you will be glad you did. 107
In fact, you won’t want to admit that you have not been here before. 121
Where is Fran’s Fish Shack? We are just off the path before it splits at 136
the docks. It is a log building on the right. You can’t miss it if you just 153
sniff. With a whiff of the fish on the grill, you will know that you are 169
in the right place. 173
12
JUST JUNK?
WORD COUNT: 175
Shannon runs out before the sun is up. She hunts through the bins 13
that people have put out. They might not want rags, glass, plastic, and 26
other things because they think this stuff is junk. Shannon knows that 38
it is not junk. She stocks up on what she can lift and bring back in the 55
van. For Shannon, the things are just right for what she is building. 68
Shannon constructs gifts for public places. She has put up a fish as 81
big as a bus, a frog on stilts, and a big pink muffin with toppings. 96
The fish consists of a blimp with strips of silk fabric and many tin 110
cans. The fish hangs from thick strings. People pull on the strings, 122
and the fish swims! The frog is a box with a brass latch and some golf 138
clubs. The golf clubs are the frog’s stilts. They shift when they brush 151
the floor. The pink muffin has buttons, ribbons, and plastic cups. 162
It has a lamp at the top that can be lit at dusk. 175
13
WHAT A STINK!
WORD COUNT: 161
We have a dog that we call Muffin. Muffin is just a pup, and pups 15
want to have fun. But fun for Muffin might not be fun for us. If a 31
rabbit sits on the grass, Muffin will dash off to catch it. Muffin is 45
quick, but rabbits are very fast. If a chipmunk zips past, Muffin will 58
run for it. Muffin can jump, but chipmunks can hop up on a branch 72
out of Muffin’s grasp. 76
Last month, Muffin ran here and there through the grass. Before we 88
could stop it, Muffin ran to some rocks and logs to track an animal. 102
When Muffin got back to where we were standing, we let out a 115
gasp. What a disgusting stink! There had been a skunk in the rocks 128
and logs, and Muffin was no match for the skunk. A dog should not 142
bother a skunk because the skunk will attack with a shot of musk. 155
But Muffin did not know that. 161
14
FISH FACTS
CLOSED SYLLABLES: ALL VOWELS
WORD COUNT: 147
Fish inhabit all the waters of the world. Clams, crabs, and shrimp 12
have the name shellfish, but they are not fish. Shellfish do not have 25
backbones, and fish are animals with backbones. It is common for 36
fish to have fins, which help them swim. There are some fish that 49
have fins like wings. The fish jump up from the ocean, jet through 62
the wind, and splash down. Some fish swim very fast, and some live 75
hidden in the sand. There are fish that are less than an inch long, and 90
fish that become as long as a bus. Fish come in many colors. 103
Some can change colors to blend in with ocean cliffs, shells, sand, 115
and plants. Fish eat plants and animals. They can also become a 127
snack for other fish. Fish do not have lungs; they suck water in and 141
then push it out through gills. 147
15
GET IT DONE!
WORD COUNT: 162
People do this when they are packing for a trip. They do this when 14
they are building something and planning a wedding. People also 24
do this when they expect a very busy day. What is it that people do? 39
They make checklists! 42
Checklists can be a big help to you and your friends. Let’s say that 56
you have a test in six days. You can make a checklist with tasks 70
for every day before the test day. A listed task might be a set of 85
problems like the ones on the test. Every day, you can do one task 99
and then check it off the list. After the last day, you will do well on 115
the test! 117
Before you can make a checklist, you must establish a plan. 128
continued on next page 16

Think about the tasks to do, step by step. Then you list what to do to 144
kick off your plan, next, after that, and last. A checklist will help you get 159
the job done. 162
17
IN THE DEN
WORD COUNT: 179
One time last spring, I was helping my dad trim some shrubs on a 14
small hill. All of a sudden, Dad held up his hand to signal stop. “An 29
animal lives here,” he said. When I bent down, I could see a den that 44
had been dug into the hill. “We should not bother it”, Dad said. “We 58
can stand back and watch what happens.” 65
We left and found a hidden spot where we could watch the den. 78
Not long after that, an animal trotted past us. It was a red fox, and it 94
was heading right for the den. It had been hunting and held a dead 108
rabbit in its mouth. When the fox got to the den, little heads began 122
to pop up. I had not expected that! Six cubs were about to be fed 137
by the mother fox. And we were there to see it! The red fox family 152
began to change. 155

The small cubs began to come out of the den. They went hunting 168
together. But they could never catch a rabbit, just some insects. 179
19
THE ATTIC HUNT

WORD COUNT: 169
“Come with me up to the attic,” my friend Devlin said to me. 13
“My dad wants a box of dishes that he left up there.” 25
We went up to the attic, but there was a problem. There must 38
have been a hundred boxes on the attic floor! We did not know 51
which box held the dishes. 56
We began to brush off cobwebs and pull stuff out of the boxes. 69
Devlin found a ribbon from a contest he was in when he was six. 83
Then he held up a velvet vest and said, “I wore this at a wedding 98
when I was about ten.” In the next box, Devlin found a plastic 111
helmet. He put the helmet on his head and said, “This still fits!” 124
He also found a hand puppet and a basket from his crafts class at 138
camp. I found a trumpet and let out a big blast. 149

Devlin and I found lots of fun things from his past. But we never 163
found the missing box of dishes. 169
21
THE THEFT
WORD COUNT: 175
Ben had left his ring by the sink when he was scrubbing dishes last 14
night. Then, a friend had come to fix a drip under the sink. After she 29
left, the ring was missing. 34
Ben was upset and frantic. “I bet that friend has my ring!” he said to 49
himself. “She was acting odd, as if planning to rob me. 60
Her eyes kept shifting, and her hands were twitching. I should not 72
have trusted her.” 75
Ben began mopping the floor. He was just about done when he 87
spotted an object stuck in the mop. He bent down and inspected 99
the mop. It was his ring! It must have fallen when the friend was 113
testing the sink. Ben was glad to have found his ring and felt bad for 128
not trusting his friend. 132

After some time, Ben ran into the friend when he was shopping. 144
To Ben, there was a big change in her. Her eyes never shifted. 157
She did not twitch her hands. She was not acting odd at all. 170
How did that change happen? 175
23
THE TRIP
CONSONANT BLENDS
WORD COUNT: 136
I have a plan for a trip. The trip will be a blast. Will I have to grab 18
a map for the trip? I won’t. Will I have to fill a big bag for the 35
trip? I won’t. Will I have to camp in a tent for the trip? I won’t. 51
In fact, there won’t be a list for the trip. I won’t have to cram a 67
bag. I won’t have to clasp a map because it is a trip to the past. 83
It is a trip with film. Come with me! 92
The print right there is of dad as an infant. Do I have a print of gran 109
with her cat, Skip? I do! And last, I have a print of me. I was six! 126
Do you want to plan a trip to the past? 136
24
A LONG TRIP
CONSONANT DIGRAPHS
WORD COUNT: 123
We have big plans for a trip around the world. The trip will last 14
about six months. We will live in a van for a lot of the trip. A ship 31
will pick us up and drop us off at the docks. Before the trip, we 46
must think about what to pack and what not to pack. There 58
will be some things, such as snacks and thick socks, that we 70
must bring with us. There will be other things, such as cats 82
and dogs, that we should not bring. We have a bunch of maps. 95
We can also ask people for a hand if we are lost or stuck. If you 111
could plan a six-month trip, what would be on your packing list? 123
25
TIME TO ICE SKATE

HARD & SOFT C
WORD COUNT: 201
When close friends invite me to do something that I have never 12
done before, I like to say yes as often as I can. That was the case 28
when my friend Ace came up with a plan for us to ice skate. 42
I had never been to a skating rink or put on an ice skate before. 57
Because it was new to me, I was a bit scared. We went to a rink 73
where we could rent skates. As I sat in this new place to lace up 88
the rented skates, Ace gave me a piece of advice. He said, “Just 101
take your time.” Then, he sped off. 108
Ace could glide on those thin blades, but I could not stand up 121
on mine. On the ice, my legs felt like they were made of water. I 136
kept slipping. I fell six times! I had to watch out for some people 150
who were racing right next to me. Several other people were 161
spinning like tops. They could twist with such grace. 170

I kept at it. By the time Ace and I left together, I had made it 186
around the entire rink twice. Next time, I just might let go of 199
the side. 201
27
A TRAFFIC FAN
SIGHT WORDS 1
WORD COUNT: 134
Are you a fan of traffic? I am! I admit it. I am, in fact, a fan of 18
traffic. Traffic is fantastic. People might ask, “How are you a fan 30
of traffic? Do you want to sit there, in a jam? Come on! Have 44
you been frantic before, as you sat in traffic?” People might 55
add, “There should be a ban—a traffic ban! I won’t be a fan of 70
traffic.” If I had to sit in traffic, I might admit that it could be 85
bad. I might add, “The people are right, there should be a 97
traffic ban.” Still, I am a fan of traffic. I am a fan because I am a 114
rat. It is fantastic for me if people have to sit in traffic. I can run 130
right through the jam! 134
28
SUNFISH
SIGHT WORDS 2
WORD COUNT: 120
There are a lot of fish in the world. Some fish eat plants. Many 14
fish, such as sunfish, eat other fish. The sunfish also eats squid 26
and crabs. That is not uncommon, but other things about the 37
sunfish are odd. It is a disc with thick lips, big fins, and skin with 52
bumps. Other animals do not bother it because it is very big. In 65
fact, some sunfish become as big as a van. The sunfish can not 78
swim fast, but it can swim down to hunt at a depth where there 92
is just a glint of the sun. Then, it swims back up to bask in the sun. 109
The sunfish grunts at other fish. It also winks and spits! 120
29
WHAT’S IN THE BOX

SIGHT WORDS 3
WORD COUNT: 141
When the bell rang, Tess ran to the door as fast as she could. 14
On the steps, she found the box that she had been expecting. 26
“It’s here at last!” Tess said. She bent down to pick up the box. 40
Tess sat on the grass out back to check the list of contents in the 55
box. “Yes, all the pieces are here,” she said. After that, she 67
began to connect the pieces, step by step. At last, Tess wore 79
a big grin. Standing back, she held her head high and said, 91
“Fantastic!” 92
Tess had never set up a tent before, but she did the job well. 106
Next month, she will camp with her friends. She will bring 117
the tent and will show them what to do to set it up together. 131
“This will be the best camping trip yet!” Tess said. 141
30
WATCHING WHALES
SIGHT WORDS 4
WORD COUNT: 175
After lunch, a small ship will set off to watch for whales. Whales 13
spend their lives in the ocean. They have body shapes like fish, 25
but they are not fish. Whales are mammals that have lungs and 37
must breathe like people. When a whale comes up for air, 48
everyone on the ship will have a chance to spot it. 59
It will take the ship 45 minutes to get to the right place for 73
whale-watching. The whales have come to this place before 82
because they can find a lot to eat here. These whales consume 94
lots of krill, which are very small ocean animals. 103
Then we will search for whales. When someone yells, “A whale!” 114
everyone will stop talking and run to that side of the ship. Mist 127
will rise as the whale exhales air from a hole on top of its head. All 143
of a sudden, a big black shape will explode out of the cold water 157

and splash down. Sometimes several humpback whales will show 166
up next to the ship. What a thrilling sight! 175
32
HIGH TIDE
SILENT-E SYLLABLES
WORD COUNT: 180
Sam had never been to the ocean before his trip to Mussel Cove. 13
He did not know how to swim, but he felt safe hiking on a wide strip 29
of sand in the water. The sand strip led to a high pile of rocks. The 45
water would rise up to the top of the rocks when the tide came in, 60
but Sam did not know about ocean tides. 68
Sam spent some time sitting on the rocks and watching the gulls. 80
He fed them some nuts from his pocket. Then he squinted at the 93
path he had taken to get to the rocks. 102
The sand strip was less wide than it had been before. The waves were 116
crashing on the sand, and the water kept rising. Sam waded down from 129
the rocks. He felt the water lapping at his legs. He began to jog, then 144
run. Sam raced back to land as fast as he could, splashing and yelling. 158

That was how Sam found out that ocean water rises at high tide. 171
He also made a plan to take swimming lessons. 180
34
NINE LIVES
SILENT-E SYLLABLES
WORD COUNT: 180
From big cats that live in grasslands to pets that live in a home, cats 15
are gifted athletes. A cat’s body is made for jumping. Its backbone 27
can flex and twist. Cat legs are like springs. These spring-like legs 39
help cats get into high places. A cat can run and jump a long 53
distance, or it can sit still and jump. Its strong back legs thrust 66
its body up. Cats love to climb, as well. 75
Cats are deft but sometimes they drop from high places. When this 87
happens, the cat can twist its body to right itself so it does not land 102
on its head. The cat extends its long legs as it drops. Its legs help 117
lessen the impact when it lands. 123
Cats climb and jump all the time, so it makes sense that they can 137
drop without getting hurt. A cat that drops from a high place might 150

have skill and luck, but it does not have nine lives. Cats around the 164
world have one life like the rest of us; they just make the most of it. 180
36
SAFE FROM FIRE

SILENT-E SYLLABLES
WORD COUNT: 182
If there is a fire in your home, do you know how to escape? 14
Everyone should make a plan. The plan should show escape 24
paths from every spot in your home. 31
A fire drill every six months will help you know just what to do in 46
case of fire. Do not be scared! Bend down close to the floor as 60
you head outside. If you do that, you will inhale less smoke. It is 74
unsafe to breathe in a lot of smoke, as it will make you quite ill. 89
A complete escape from the building should take less than two 100
minutes. Never go back inside to get people, pets, or things. 111
It is best to stop fires from happening at all. If you want to light a 127
flame, you should be in the kitchen. Do not put fabrics close to 140
anything hot because the fabric may ignite. Matches should be 150
kept in a spot that is hidden from children. You should also install 163

several objects that can tell you if there is fire or smoke in your 177
home. Test them every month. 182
38
SINKHOLES
SILENT-E SYLLABLES
WORD COUNT: 162
A bus is driving down a lane. In a blink, there is no lane! There is just 17
a big hole, and the bus drops right into it. A sinkhole is to blame. 32
A sinkhole takes shape when water dissolves rocks that are 42
embedded in the land. The water makes spaces or tunnels in the 54
rocks. Then, the top slab of land collapses into those spaces. This 66
cave-in can happen very fast. Anything can drop into sinkholes: 76
homes, animals, people, or objects. Some sinkholes are small. Other 86
sinkholes are wide enough to take down a whole block of buildings. 98
Sinkholes happen all around the world. Places with a lot of limestone 110
have a high rate of sinkholes. Water acts fast on limestone to dissolve 123
it. Pipes that channel water into the land or pump water out of the 137
land can bring about a sinkhole. The best plan to stop new sinkholes 150
from happening is to stop building anything on land that may collapse. 162
39
WILL ELWIN SING?

SILENT-E SYLLABLES
WORD COUNT: 180
I have a friend who has been singing his whole life. Elwin was 13
singing before he was talking. Well, that’s what his mother has said. 25
He can sing just about every song and make it sound beautiful. He 38
also composes new songs. When Elwin sings, everyone tells him how 49
gifted he is. “Singing lifts me up,” Elwin admits. “There is nothing 61
else I like as much as singing.” 68
Elwin is always humming a tune. He sings in class. He sings on 81
the bus. He sings when he is taking a bath. But Elwin won’t sing if 96
someone is judging him. “I choke if a judge is watching me,” he 109
confesses. “The sight of someone taking notes while I sing makes my 121
insides shake.” 123
A singing contest will be held next month at a club close to Elwin’s 137
home. The prize will be a chance to compete on a TV show. I know 152

that Elwin could win. I wish he would take my advice and sing in that 167
contest. What can I tell him that would convince him to do it? 180
41
A NOTE TO FRIENDS OF SUNSHINE LAKE

SYLLABLE DIVISION: VC/CCV
WORD COUNT: 166
There are big problems in the Sunshine Lake district. Glass, cans, 11
plastic bags, and an old mattress are spread out on the sand. 23
Many objects are also in the water. All this pollutes the land and 36
water. It can make fish and other animals ill. Hundreds of plants 48
invade the banks. These plants do not let other plants thrive. How 60
can we address these complex problems? 66
This June will be “Help Sunshine Lake Month.” All month long, 77
we will collect the junk on the sand and in the water. We will 91
inspect the plants and dig up those that are out of place. 103
Do you want Sunshine Lake to be at its best? Then we invite you, 117
your family, and your friends to help out. Small children are also 129
welcome! If we work together and include everyone, we can 139
complete the jobs that will make the lake fresh and beautiful. 150

Help us accomplish something fantastic and bring Sunshine 158
Lake back to the way it should be! 166
43
RABBIT TWINS
SYLLABLE DIVISION: VC/CV
WORD COUNT: 94
A tan rabbit and its twin zigzag through the grass. They sprint 12
past a hill. They sprint right past six people. The people sit on 25
fabric in the grass. They have a big plastic bin with a strap and 39
a lid. In the bin are pink napkins, a slab of ham, a tin of jam, and 56
six drinks. 58
The rabbit twins come back. They sniff the grass and squint at the 71
people with the plastic bin. It is a bit of a risk. Is it a trap? Should 88
they scram? No, it’s a picnic! 94
44
Check for Understanding Questions
A Fantastic Act
1._ W
here does Hannah the Grand want people to sit? (Hannah the Grand wants people to sit
“right where you are.”)
2._ W
hat should people do when Hannah the Grand taps the hat? (People should clap when
Hannah the Grand taps the hat.)
3._ W
hat does Hannah the Grand want to pull out of the hat? (Hannah the Grand wants to pull
a tan rabbit out of the hat.)
A Long Trip
1. _ How long will the trip last? (The trip will last six months.)
2. _ What two kinds of travel are mentioned in the text? (A van and a ship are mentioned in
the text.)
3._ D
oes the author suggest that planning a long trip is quick and easy? How do you know?
(No, the author does not suggest that planning a long trip is quick and easy. The author
describes thinking about what to bring and what not to bring.)
A Note to Friends of Sunshine Lake

1. _ What are the two big problems at Sunshine Lake? (The two big problems at Sunshine Lake
are pollution and invasive plants.)
2._ W
hat will happen in June? (For the entire month of June, people will volunteer to clean up
Sunshine Lake.)
3. _ What is the author’s main purpose for writing this text? (The author’s main purpose for
writing this text is to persuade people to clean up the lake.)
A Rabbit
1. _ Where is the rabbit? (The rabbit is in the grass.)
2._ T
he narrator says, “I stand still.” Why? (The narrator stands still so the rabbit does not become
scared and run away.)
3. _ Why does the rabbit sit still? (The rabbit sits still because it is not real; it is made of plastic.)
A Traffic Fan
1. _ In this story, who is a fan of traffic? (The fan of traffic is a rat.)
2._ W
hy does the fan of traffic think it is fantastic? (The rat thinks traffic is fantastic because
it can sprint right through the traffic.)
3. _ Could this be a true story? Why or why not? (Answers may vary. A sample answer is: No.
This story is not true because it is being told by a rat and rats do not talk.)
45
Catnap
1. _ Who is Tim? (Tim is the owner of the cat.)
2. _ List two places the cat sits when Tim wants to nap. (Answers may vary but should include
two of the following: on a mat, in a van, on Tim.)
3. _ What reason does Tim give for not putting his cat out so he can have a nap? (Tim insists
that his cat is a pal and a pal is more important than a nap.)
Chipmunks
1. _ Where do chipmunks like to run? (Chipmunks like to run up, down, and around rocks, stumps,
and shrubs.)
2._ W
hat does the author state about a chipmunk’s size? (The author states that “chipmunks
are not big” and “could fit in your hand.”)
3. _ What is the author’s main purpose for writing this text? (The author’s main purpose for writing
this text is to share facts about chipmunks.)
Drums
1._ A
ccording to the poem, what can drums do? (According to the poem, drums can “pull you
out of a place/and put you in some other.”)
2._ W
hat can people do if a song with drums is on? (If a song with drums is on, people can dip,
nod, jump, run, sing, and chant.)
3. _ What sort of songs have drums? (Drums are in rock, rap, pop, and jazz.)
Fish Facts
1._ A
re clams, crabs, and shrimp fish? Why or why not? (Clams, crabs, and shrimp are shellfish
but not fish. Fish have a backbone but shellfish do not.)
2._ H
ow do some fish blend in with shells, sand, and plants? (Some fish blend in with shells, sand,
and plants by changing colors.)
3. _ What do fish eat? (Fish eat plants and animals.)
Fran’s Fish Shack

1._ W
hat does Fran’s Fish Shack have for lunch? (Fran’s Fish Shack has fish, clams, crabs, shrimp,
and squid.)
2. _ Where is Fran’s Fish Shack? (Fran’s Fish Shack is just off the path before it splits at the docks,
in a log building on the right.)
3._ Is the fish at Fran’s Fish Shack fresh? How do you know? (Yes, the fish is fresh because they
catch it just before lunch.)
46
Get It Done!
1. _ What can people do when they expect a busy day? (People can make a checklist when they
expect a busy day.)
2. _ How can a checklist help you? (A checklist could help you plan for a big test.)
3. _ What should you do before you make a checklist? (Before you make a checklist, think about
the tasks you have to do.)
Griffin and the Fix-it Jam

1. _ What does Griffin do if someone at his stand is having a hard time? (If someone at his stand
is having a hard time, Griffin hands the person some jam.)
2. _ Does the bandit work quickly? How do you know? (Yes, the bandit worked quickly. According
to the text, the bandit was able to take all the milk and jam “before Griffin could blink.”)
3. _ Why do you think people add items to Griffin’s stand after the bandit takes the milk and jam?
(Answers will vary. A sample answer is: Griffin always tried to make people feel better.
The people who help Griffin want to do the same for him.)
High Tide
1. _ What is the setting of this text? (The setting is Mussel Cove at high tide.)
2. _ What happens to the sand strip as the water keeps rising? (The sand strip becomes less
wide as the water rises and covers it.)
3. _ Why might Sam begin to run as the water rises? (Answers may vary. A sample answer is:
I think Sam begins to run because he can’t swim and is scared of the rising water.)
In the Den
1. _ What has been dug into the hill? (A den has been dug into the hill.)
2. _ Where has the mother fox been? (The mother fox has been hunting to get food for the cubs.)
3. _ What pops up from the den? (The little heads of the cubs pop up from the den.)
Just Junk?
1. _ Why does Shannon run out before the sun is up? (Shannon runs out to hunt through bins
that people put out.)
2. _ What does Shannon do with other people’s “junk”? (Shannon constructs gifts for public
places with other people’s “junk.”)
3. _ What did Shannon do to construct the frog on stilts? (The frog is a box with a brass latch
that stands on some golf clubs.)
47
Nine Lives
1. _ What are a cat’s legs compared to in the first paragraph? (A cat’s legs are compared
to springs.)
2. _ How does a cat land on its legs when it drops? (A cat can twist its body to right itself before
it lands.)
3. _ What is the author’s main purpose for writing this text? (The author’s main purpose is to give
information about how cats can jump and drop without getting hurt.)
Rabbit Twins
1. _ Who zigzags through the grass? (A rabbit and its twin zigzag through the grass.)
2. _ Why do the rabbits come back? (The rabbits come back because they are curious about
the six people and their picnic.)
3. _ Why is sniffing the grass “a bit of a risk” for the rabbits? (Answers will vary. A sample answer is:
The rabbits are scared that the people might try to catch them.)
Safe from Fire

1. _ When should you conduct a fire drill? (You should conduct a fire drill every six months.)
2. _ Why should you never go back inside if there is a fire? (You should not go back inside
because the fire might grow bigger and block your exit.)
3. _ What is the author’s main purpose for writing this text? (The author’s main purpose for writing
this text is to inform people about fire safety.)
Sinkholes
1. _ According to the example given in the text, what happens to the bus? (The bus falls in
a sinkhole.)
2. _ When does a sinkhole take shape? (A sinkhole takes shape when water dissolves rocks that
are embedded in the land.)
3. _ How can new sinkholes be stopped? (New sinkholes can be stopped by not building anything
on land that may collapse.)
Sunfish
1. _ How big can a sunfish become? (The sunfish can become as big as a van.)
2. _ What does the sunfish eat? (The sunfish eats other fish, squid, and crabs.)
3. _ What can you infer about how the sunfish got its name? (Answers may vary. A sample
answer is: The sunfish might have got its name when people saw it basking in the sun after it
had been hunting in deep water.)
48
The Attic Hunt

1. _ Why does Devlin have to go up to the attic? (Devlin needs to get a box of dishes for his dad.)
2. _ Why do you think Devlin and his friend never find what they were looking for? (The attic has a
hundred boxes and they don’t know which one holds the dishes.)
3. _ Do you think Devlin enjoys his time in the attic? Why or why not? (Answers may vary. A sample
answer is: I think Devlin enjoys his time in the attic because he finds “a lot of fun things from
his past.”)
The Theft
1. _ What does the friend come to do for Ben? (The friend comes to fix a drip under the sink
for Ben.)
2. _ Where does Ben spot the ring? (Ben spots the ring in the mop he was using to mop the floor.)
3. _ How does Ben’s friend change? (Ben’s friend changes because she is not shifting her eyes,
twitching her hands, or acting odd. it is likely that Ben just thinks of her differently after he
finds his ring.)
The Trip
1. _ What are two things that the narrator does not have to do for this trip? (Answers may include
any two of the following: grab a map, fill a bag, and make a list.)
2. _ What does it mean that this is “a trip with film”? (It means that the author is taking a trip to
the past by looking at old pictures.)
3. _ Could this story be true? Why or why not? (Answers will vary. A sample answer is: Yes, this
story could be true. It tells about a person looking at pictures that could really exist.)
The X on the Map

1. _ Where is the map? (The map is in a silk bag that is in a bin with a clasp.)
2. _ What is in the big pit? (There is nothing in the big pit.)
3. _ What does the X stand for? (The X stands for where to dig to put in plants.)
Time to Ice Skate

1. _ What advice does Ace give the narrator? (Ace tells the narrator, “Just take your time.”)
2. _ The narrator says, “My legs felt like they were made of water.” What does this mean?
(The narrator means that his/her legs are weak and not steady.)
3. _ What can you infer about how the narrator is able to make it around the rink twice?
(The narrator holds onto the side of the rink to avoid falling.)
49
Watching Whales
1. _ What is krill? (Krill are small ocean animals that whales eat.)
2. _ According to the text, how are whales similar to people? (Both whales and people are
mammals that use lungs to breathe air.)
3. _ How does the author of this text feel about whale-watching? How do you know? (Answers
may vary. A sample answer is: I think the author enjoys whale-watching because the last
sentence describes it as “thrilling.”)
What a Stink!
1. _ Muffin can not catch a rabbit. Why? (Muffin can not catch a rabbit because rabbits run
faster than Muffin.)
2. _ Where does Muffin run to get the skunk? (Muffin runs to some rocks and logs to get the skunk.)
3. _ With what does the skunk attack Muffin? (The skunk attacks Muffin with a shot of musk that
makes the dog stink.)
What Is in the Grass?

1. _ What could it do to a rat? (It could sniff out a rat and attack it.)
2. _ Where will it nap? (It will sit in your lap to nap.)
3. _ What is “as if there is sand”? (The cat’s tongue feels like sand when it licks.)
What’s in the Box?

1. _ What arrived in a box for Tess? (All of the parts to make a tent arrived in a box for Tess.)
2. _ Why was it important for Tess to check the list of contents in the box? (It was important for
Tess to check the contents of the box so that she knew she had all of the pieces to make
the tent.)
3. _ How did Tess feel when she finally put all of the pieces together? How do you know?
(Answers may vary. A sample answer is: I think Tess felt happy and proud when she put the
tent together because she “wore a big grin” and “held her head high.”)
Will Elwin Sing?

1. _ What skill does Elwin have? (Elwin is gifted at singing.)
2. _ What scares Elwin? (Elwin is scared of singing in front of a judge.)
3. _ What does the narrator want Elwin to do? (The narrator wants Elwin to sing in a contest at
a club close to Elwin’s home.)
50
Fluency
Dimensions of Fluent Reading

Scores range from 4 to 16. Scores below 8 generally indicate that fluency
may be an area of need. Regularly assess these dimensions of fluent reading
to determine if scores indicate that the student is making progress.
Are expression and volume natural?

Reads in a quiet voice with little or no expression; does not sound
like natural language. (1)
Reads in a quiet voice with some expression that occasionally sounds

like natural language. (2)
Reads with expression at an appropriate volume that sounds like

natural language with some lapses into flat reading. (3)
Reads with expression at an appropriate volume that consistently

sounds like natural language. (4)
Are words grouped Into meaningful phrases?

Reads word-by-word. (1)
Reads with frequent two-word or three-word phrasing. Stress and

intonation do not match ends of sentences and clauses. (2)
Reads with some appropriate phrasing combined with run-ons and

erratic pauses. Adequate stress and intonation. (3)
Reads with appropriate phrasing and attention to punctuation

within and between sentences. (4)
Is reading smooth and effortless?

Reads with frequent hesitation, repetitions, and sounding out of words. (1)
Reads with some areas of hesitation, repetitions, self-corrections, and

sounding out of words. (2)
Reads smoothly with occasional breaks to focus on specific words

or phrases. (3)
Reads smoothly with some breaks at specific words or phrases, but
these are self corrected. (4)
Is the pace conversational?

Reads slowly with difficulty. (1)
Reads moderately slowly. (2)
Reads at an uneven pace (slowly in some areas, fast in others). (3)
Reads at an appropriately conversational pace. (4)
TOTAL
Adapted from Zutell & Rasinski, 1991.
51
Fluency
Fluent Reading Student Checklist

Name:
Date:
Passage Title:
My expression is natural. I sound like I am talking to a friend.
The volume of my voice is loud enough for someone sitting next to me to hear
every word.
I group words Into phrases that show I understand the meaning of what
I am reading.
I pay attention to punctuation. I pause when I see commas and periods and
change my voice when I see question marks and exclamation points.
My reading is smooth and accurate. If I make a mistake, I correct it and

continue reading.
My pace is conversational. I am not reading as quickly as I can, and I am not

reading so slowly that the text loses meaning.
What did I do well?
What can I improve?
52
Fluency
National Oral Reading Fluency Norms

If these passages are used for timed readings, the following National Oral
Reading Fluency Norms (Hasbrouck & Tindal, 2017) can be used as general
guidelines for rate and accuracy performance. In general, students who
score >10 wcpm below the average may benefit from additional support in
developing reading fluency.
50th Percentiles
Words Correct per Minute (wcpm)
Grade Fall Winter Spring
1 — 29 60
2 50 84 100
3 83 97 112
4 94 120 133
5 121 133 146
6 132 145 146
©2022 Lexia Learning, a Cambium Learning® Group company. Lexia,® Core5,® and other trademarks, names, and logos used herein are the property of
Lexia Learning and/or its subsidiaries, and are registered and/or used in the United States and other countries. Additional trademarks included herein are
the property of their respective owners.
PR-PUP-FPPFZ-0322
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FOR EDUCATORS

Fluency Passage Pack

This resource contains controlled passages designed to support formative

Sample passage with teacher notes:

✓ - ✓ grab/SC ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - ✓R ✓ ✓ ✓ SC self correction

Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:

1:38 7 3 108 96%

Note: Self corrections and insertions do not count as errors.

Passage Title Word Analysis Skill Word Count Page

PowerUp Foundational Zone

Griffin and the Fix-it Jam Closed Syllables Overview 162 4

A Fantastic Act Closed Syllables: a & i 138 5

A Rabbit Closed Syllables: a & i 119 6

Catnap Closed Syllables: a & i 107 7

The X on the Map Closed Syllables: a & i 137 8

What Is in the Grass? Closed Syllables: a & i 101 9

Chipmunks Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 117 10

Drums Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 89 11

Fran's Fish Shack Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 173 12

Just Junk? Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 175 13

What a Stink! Closed Syllables: a, i, o & u 161 14

Fish Facts Closed Syllables: all vowels 147 15

Get It Done! Closed Syllables: all vowels 162 16

In the Den Closed Syllables: all vowels 179 18

The Attic Hunt Closed Syllables: all vowels 169 20

The Theft Closed Syllables: all vowels 175 22

The Trip Consonant Blends 136 24

A Long Trip Consonant Digraphs 123 25

Time to Ice Skate Hard & Soft c 201 26

A Traffic Fan Sight Words 1 134 28

Sunfish Sight Words 2 120 29

What's in the Box? Sight Words 3 141 30

Whale Watching Sight Words 4 175 31

High Tide Silent-e Syllables 180 33

Nine Lives Silent-e Syllables 180 35

Safe from Fire Silent-e Syllables 182 37

continued on next page

PowerUp Foundational Zone (continued)

Sinkholes Silent-e Syllables 162 39

Will Elwin Sing? Silent-e Syllables 180 40

A Note to Friends of Sunshine Lake Syllable Division: VC/CCV 166 42

Rabbit Twins Syllable Division: VC/CV 94 44

Check for Understanding Questions 45

Dimensions of Fluent Reading Rubric 51

Fluent Reading Student Checklist 52

National Oral Reading Fluency Norms 53

GRIFFIN AND THE FIX-IT JAM

Griffin was glad he had a fantastic fix-it jam at his stand. 85

would have to quit. 129

big grin and his pals. 162

Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:

hands. You won’t want to blink or you will miss it! 40

tip a drink into the hat, it will spill right out. 87

You have to admit that my act is fantastic, right?! 141

Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:

This rabbit is plastic! 119

Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:

Time: Errors: Self Corrections: WCPM: Accuracy:

THE X ON THE MAP

where people hid fantastic swag? I will have to dig there. 66