Differentiated Reading

for Comprehension
Grade 5

Credits
Content Editor: Kristina L. Biddle
Copy Editor: Karen Seberg
Illustrations: Nick Greenwood, Donald O’Connor

Visit carsondellosa.com for correlations to Common Core, state, national, and Canadian provincial
standards.

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© 2014, Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC. The purchase of this material entitles the buyer to reproduce worksheets and
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Printed in the USA • All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-4838-0489-7

 Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Amazing Kids
Common Core Alignment Chart . . . . . . . . . 3 A Novel Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Movie History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Wild Animals
From the Days of the Dinosaurs . . . . . . . . . 4 Amazing People
Peaceful Lives Overturned. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A Voice for Democracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Parakeets on the Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 The Unbroken Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Strange and Unexplained Extreme Places

What Was That?! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 An Underwater Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Crop Circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 What a Wall! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
A Ship without a Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 City in the Mist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Fascinating Machines Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Extreme Life-Saving Machines . . . . . . . . . 28
The Most Fascinating Machine . . . . . . . . . 32

Introduction
Providing all students access to high quality, nonfiction text is essential to Common Core State
Standards mastery. This book contains exactly what teachers are looking for: high-interest nonfiction
passages, each written at three different reading levels, followed by a shared set of text-dependent
comprehension questions and a writing prompt to build content knowledge. Both general academic
and domain-specific vocabulary words are reinforced at the end of each passage for further
comprehension support. The standards listed on each page provide an easy reference tool for lesson
planning, and the Common Core Alignment Chart on page 3 allows you to target or remediate
specific skills.

The book is comprised of 15 stories that are written at three levels:

• Below level (one dot beside the page number): 1 to 1.5 levels below grade level
• On level (two dots beside the page number): 0 to .5 levels below grade level
• Advanced (three dots beside the page number): 1 to 2 levels above grade level

Which students will not enjoy reading about a kid who makes movies or machines that save lives or
a mystery ship that sailed itself? This book will quickly become the go-to resource for differentiated
nonfiction reading practice in your classroom!

2 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

 Common Core Alignment Chart
Common Core State Standards* Practice Pages
Reading Standards for Informational Text
Key Ideas and Details 5.RI.1–5.RI.3 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63
4–6, 7, 8–10, 11, 12–14,16–18, 20–22, 24–26,
Craft and Structure 5.RI.4–5.RI.6 27, 28–30, 32–34, 36–38, 39, 40–42, 44–46,
48–50, 52–54, 56–58, 59, 60–62, 63
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 5.RI.7–5.RI.9 7, 23, 35, 39, 43, 47, 59
4–6, 8–10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26,
Range of Reading and Level of Text
5.RI.10 28–30, 32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50,
Complexity
52–54, 56–58, 60–62
Reading Standards: Foundational Skills
Phonics and Word Recognition 5.RF.3 7, 35, 51
4–6, 8–10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26,
Fluency 5.RF.4 28–30, 32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50,
52–54, 56–58, 60–62
Writing Standards
7, 11, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59,
Text Types and Purposes 5.W.1–5.W.3
63
Production and Distribution of Writing 5.W.4–5.W.6 15
Language Standards
Conventions of Standard English 5.L.1–5.L.2 7, 19, 27, 39, 47, 63
Knowledge of Language 5.L.3 55
4–6, 8–10, 11, 12–14, 15, 16–18, 19, 20–22,
23, 24–26, 28–30, 31, 32–34, 35, 36–38, 40–
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 5.L.4–5.L.6
42, 43, 44–46, 47, 48–50, 51, 52–54, 56–58,
59, 60–62

* © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All
rights reserved.

How to Use This Alignment Chart

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts are a shared set of expectations
for each grade level in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. They define
what students should understand and be able to do. This chart presents the standards that are
covered in this book.

Use this chart to plan your instruction, practice, or remediation of a specific standard. To do this, first
choose your targeted standard; then, find the pages listed on the chart that correlate to the standard
you are teaching. Finally, assign the reading pages and follow-up questions to practice the skill.

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 3

 5.RI.4, 5.RI.10, 5.RF.4, 5.L.4

Parakeets on the Run

Some parakeets in Chicago, Illinois, got away from their
owners. They built their own neighborhood. The most amazing
thing about them is that they were able to survive.
Monk parakeets are green with gray breasts and
yellow beaks. They are from a warm part of South
America. The birds are caught and brought to the
United States to be sold. Many people keep them
as pets. The birds are able to live in North America
because they live indoors. But, the Chicago
parakeets live outside in one of the coldest, windiest
cities. How do they survive?
The escaped birds build huge nests made of twigs. Many of them have
“apartments” inside the nests. Some of the Chicago parakeets have squirrels move in
with them. They have their own guest rooms!
During the summer, the parakeets eat buds, weeds, and fruit, such as crab apples.
During the winter, they eat seeds and sit close together on telephone wires for warmth.
Their thick nests keep them from freezing.
Other people have found parakeets in cold places, like Bridgeport, Connecticut.
One scientist thinks that these birds were on their way to a pet shop in a crate that was
dropped in an airport in New York City. It broke, and the birds flew to Long Island. Then,
they built nests in Connecticut.
Some people aren’t happy about these
parakeets. In Chicago, some birds built a nest on
a power line. It caused a fire. In Atlanta, people
complained about a messy nest. In St. Louis,
Missouri, people are worried that if the birds
move to the countryside, they will hurt crops.
Other people love the plucky birds. They think
it’s amazing that parakeets can live in the wild.

parakeet: a small parrot with a long, pointed tail and brightly colored feathers
survive: to continue to live, even with a threat to life
crab apple: a small, hard, sour apple

12 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

 5.RI.4, 5.RI.10, 5.RF.4, 5.L.4

Parakeets on the Run

Some parakeets in Chicago, Illinois, escaped from their
owners. They created their own neighborhood. The most
amazing thing about them is that they were able to survive.
Monk parakeets are green with gray breasts and
yellow beaks. They typically live in a warm part of
South America. The birds are captured and brought
to the United States to be sold. Many people keep
them as pets. The birds are able to live in North
America because they are kept indoors. However,
the Chicago parakeets remain outside in one of the
coldest, windiest cities. How do they survive?
The escaped birds construct huge nests entirely of twigs. Many of them have
“apartments” inside the nests. Some of the Chicago parakeets have squirrels move in
with them. They have their own guest rooms!
During the summer, the parakeets eat buds, weeds, and fruit, such as crab apples.
During the winter, they eat seeds and huddle together on telephone wires for warmth.
Their thick nests keep them from freezing.
Other people have discovered parakeets in cold locations, like Bridgeport,
Connecticut. One scientist thinks that these birds were on their way to a pet shop in
a crate that was dropped in an airport in New York City. It broke, and the birds flew to
Long Island. Then, they built nests in Connecticut.
Not everyone is delighted that these
parakeets can live outside. In Chicago, some
birds built a nest on a power line. It caused a fire.
In Atlanta, people complained about a messy
nest. In St. Louis, Missouri, people are worried that
if the birds move to the countryside, they will hurt
crops.
Other people love the plucky birds. They think
it’s amazing that parakeets are living in the wild.

parakeet: a small parrot with a long, pointed tail and brightly colored feathers
survive: to continue to live, even with a threat to life
crab apple: a small, hard, sour apple

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 13

 5.RI.4, 5.RI.10, 5.RF.4, 5.L.4

Parakeets on the Run

Several parakeets in Chicago, Illinois, escaped from their owners.
They created their own neighborhood. The most amazing thing
about these birds is that they were able to survive.
Monk parakeets are green with gray breasts and yellow
beaks. They typically live in a warm climate in South
America. The birds are captured and delivered to the
United States to be sold. Many people keep them
as pets. The birds are able to live in North America
because they live indoors. However, the Chicago
parakeets remain outside in one of the coldest,
windiest cities in the country. How do they survive?
The escaped birds construct gigantic nests entirely of twigs. Many of them include
“apartments” inside the nests. Some of the Chicago parakeets have squirrels move in
with them. They have their own guest rooms!
During the summer, the parakeets eat buds, weeds, and fruit, such as crab apples.
During the winter, they consume seeds and huddle together on telephone wires for
warmth. Their massive nests prevent them from freezing.
Other people have discovered parakeets in cold locations, like Bridgeport,
Connecticut. One scientist suggests that these birds were traveling to a pet shop in a
crate that was dropped in an airport in New York City. It opened, and the birds flew to
Long Island. Later, some of them built nests in Connecticut.
Not everyone is delighted that these parakeets
can live outdoors. In Chicago, several birds created
a nest on a power line, and it caused a fire. In
Atlanta, people complained about a messy nest. In
St. Louis, Missouri, people are worried that if the birds
relocate to the countryside, they will damage crops.
Other people adore the plucky birds. They
believe it’s fascinating that parakeets live in the wild.

massive: large in size or amount

relocate: to move to live somewhere else
adore: to like very much

14 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

Name ___________________________________ 5.RI.2, 5.RI.3, 5.W.4, 5.L.5

Parakeets on the Run

Answer the questions.
1. The first part of the story is mostly about
A. parakeets in South America. B. a group of escaped parakeets.
C. how parakeets build nests. D. parakeets as pets.
2. Where is Chicago?
A. North America B. Illinois C. South America D. A. and B.
3. Why is it amazing that the Chicago parakeets live outdoors?
A. Chicago is really too cold B. Parakeets live indoors in South
for them. America.
C. Parakeets die quickly. D. Parakeets would rather be pets.
4. What do Monk parakeets look like?
A. gray birds with yellow breasts B. green birds with yellow breasts
C. green birds with gray breasts D. yellow birds with green breasts
5. The story describes a scientist’s idea about one group of parakeets. Look at the
chain of events below and answer the question.

parakeets caught in South America

parakeets put in a crate

crate dropped at an airport in New York

parakeets build nests in Connecticut

Which step is missing?

A. parakeets caught by pet store owner
B. parakeets fly to Long Island
C. parakeets’ nest stolen by squirrel
D. parakeets taken to wildlife center
6. If you were a Chicago parakeet, would you rather live in a cage or outside? Be sure
to include multiple reasons for your choice. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper.

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 15

 Answer Key
Page 7 Page 39
1. B; 2. D; 3. D; 4. B; 5. Answers will vary but should include 1. A; 2. 12; 3. C; 4. B; 5. B; 6. Answers will vary but may include:
details from the story. 6. Answers will vary but should include working 10-hour days, attending high school at night, doing
details from the story. 7. A; 8. Answers will vary but may chores on weekends. 7. A; 8. D; 9. Answers will vary but should
include: roommate, sometimes, another, leftover, forever, include each element required in the prompt.
jawbone, themselves. 9. Answers will vary but should include
an opinion, three reasons, and a concluding statement. Page 43
1. C; 2. Steven had been asked to take photos for a Boy Scout
Page 11 project. 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. A; 7. Answers will vary but should
1. C; 2. B; 3. D; 4. F; 5. F; 6. T; 7. T; 8. A; 9. C. 10. swimming pools, include traits based on details from the story.
pet dogs, and cars; 11. Answers will vary but should include an 8. Answers will vary but should include details from the story.
opinion and reasons for each item suggested by the author. 9. D; 10. Answers will vary but should include details required
by the prompt.
Page 15
1. B; 2. D; 3. A; 4. C; 5. B; 6. Answers will vary but should include Page 47
an opinion, reasons, and a concluding statement. 1. B; 2. A; 3. D; 4. D; 5. Answers will vary but should include a
quote from the story. 6-9. Answers will vary but should include
Page 19 details from the story. 10. Aung San Suu Kyi is supposed to
become the prime minister. 11. Answers will vary but should
1. B; 2. ice bombs, street, Spain; 3. A; 4. C; 5. It was just water;
include details required by the prompt, as well as a strong
there were no chemicals. 6. huge, sudden, mysterious; 7. D;
introduction and conclusion.
8. Answers will vary but should include details from the story.
9. Answers will vary but should include a correct verb tense.
10. Answers will vary but should include a beginning, middle, Page 51
and end, as well as descriptive details. 1. F; 2. T; 3. F; 4. F; 5. T; 6. D; 7. B; 8. A; 9. D; 10. C;
11. couldn’t, wasn’t, didn’t, weren’t, hasn’t; 12. Answers will
Page 23 vary but should include an opinion, quotes from the text,
and a concluding statement.
1. C; 2. A; 3. Circle Makers; 4. Circle Makers, UFOs, weather
patterns/nature; 5. A; 6. Answers will vary but may include:
huge, strange, large. 7. Answers will vary but should include Page 55
the main idea from the story. 8. F; 9. T; 10. T; 11. Answers will 1. Answers will vary but should include details from the story.
vary but should include an opinion, details from the text, and 2. C; 3. F; 4. F; 5. T; 6. T; 7. T; 8. D; 9. B; 10. C; 11. A; 12. Answers will
a concluding statement. vary but should include an opinion, persuasive arguments,
the elements of a letter, and a strong introduction and
Page 27 conclusion.
1. Mary Celeste; 2. compass; 3. rope; 4. Nobody; 5. papers,
lifeboat, navigation tools; 6. D; 7. D; 8. C; 9. C; 10. Answers will Page 59
vary but should include a conjunction. 11. Answers will vary 1. B; 2. B; 3. D; 4. F; 5. T; 6. T; 7. F; 8-9. Answers will vary but may
but should include an opinion, reasons, and a concluding include: It is 3,000 miles long. Millions labored on it. It is the
statement. longest man-made structure on Earth. 10. Answers will vary
but should effectively summarize the story. 11. Answers will vary
Page 31 but should include a destination, persuasive reasons to visit
there, details, and all of the elements of a letter.
1. B; 2. C; 3. C; 4. D; 5. A; 6. Answers will vary but may include:
powerful, save lives, move metal. 7. Answers will vary but may
include: cutter is a clawed scissors, and the spreader pushes Page 63
metal apart. 8. D; 9. Answers will vary but should include 1. B; 2. C; 3. D; 4. Hiram Bingham; 5. 1400s; 6. Andes;
a sentence with a comma separating items in a series. 10. 7. fit together; 8. staircases; 9. Answers will vary but should
Answers will vary but should include a description of a helpful include a plausible inference based on details from the story.
machine, reasons it is helpful, and a concluding statement. 10. Answers will vary but should include a sentence with an
introductory element and comma. 11. Answers will vary but
Page 35 should include the required elements from the prompt.
1. C; 2. B; 3. B; 4. D; 5. T; 6. F; 7. F; 8. T; 9. T; 10. D; 11. Answers will
vary but should include at least five words containing affixes
from the passage. 12. Answers will vary but should include the
name of an organ, reasons it is important, and a concluding
statement.

64 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104617 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension