In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

Jacqueline Adams has written for Highlights. In this short story, a young girl struggles with loneliness and boredom after she moves to a new home. As students read, they take notes on the different things that Aly does to fight off her boredom.

Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919), also known as L. Frank Baum, was an American author, best known for his children’s books. Baum is the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series. In this excerpt from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her friends arrive at the Emerald City. As students read, they take notes on how the Great Oz is described to Dorothy and her friends.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this short story, a girl and her family collect dandelions for a Greek dinner. As students read, they take notes about how Athena feels about the dandelions.

Leeann Zouras has written for Highlights. In this short story, a girl and her family collect dandelions for a Greek dinner. As students read, they take notes about how Athena feels about the dandelions.

In this activity, Glenna Marra tells the story of Amanda Clement, the first woman who was paid to umpire a baseball game. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this informational text, LeeAnn Blankenship discusses the success of Willard Wigan, a famous artist who creates sculptures that can only be seen using a microscope. As students read, they take notes on why Willard creates tiny art.

In this informational text, LeeAnn Blankenship discusses the success of Willard Wigan, a famous artist who creates sculptures that can only be seen using a microscope. As students read, they take notes on why Willard creates tiny art.

In this activity, students read a fable by Aesop who was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE.

Jyoti Singh Visvanath has written for Highlights. In this retelling of a fable from India, a lion waits in a cave to eat a jackal. As students read, they take notes on the jackal’s actions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this retelling of the fable, “Cheese for Dinner,” a coyote hunts a rabbit. As students read, they take notes on the rabbit's actions towards the coyote.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, Gunnell describes watching kite fighting as a young girl. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

Common Lit is a searchable collection of free fiction and nonfiction texts searchable by thematic connection, subject, discussion questions or text. Please note in order to access the entire site you will need to create a free account.

Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theater. In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to hold the highest-ranking ballet position at the dance company. In this informational text, Sara Matson discusses Copeland’s journey to success. As students read, they take notes on the challenges that Misty Copeland has faced as a ballet dancer.

Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theater. In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to hold the highest-ranking ballet position at the dance company. In this informational text, Sara Matson discusses Copeland’s journey to success. As students read, they take notes on the challenges that Misty Copeland has faced as a ballet dancer.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (1875-1961) was a principal of an elementary school and wrote stories for her students. In this retelling of an old fable, one raindrop wishes to help a farmer water his crops. As students read, they take notes on what happens after the raindrop decides to help the farmer.

In this activity, students learn key details about Dr. King’s life and accomplishments, including his belief in equality and non-violence.

In this activity, students read a poem and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this short story, a girl celebrates her birthday on Earth Day. As students read, they take notes on how April feels about celebrating Earth Day on her birthday.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

The Inuit are a group of people who have lived in the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska for over a thousand years. In this excerpt from “Inuit,” Carol White describes the Inuit people’s way of life. As students read, they take
notes on how the Inuit survive in their cold environment.

This activity tells the story of Wilma Rudolph, the fastest woman in the world.

In this activity, students read about the possible events of Betsy Ross’s creation of the first American flag from the perspective of a fellow seamstress. As studnets read, they take notes on the narrator’s perspective, and how her perspective impacts her feelings about the Revolutionary War.

In the activity, students read about a fisherman who catches a fish who grants wishes — perhaps too many.

In this activity, students read about the different games that Native American children played. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

The houses that Native American tribes constructed hundreds of years ago looked a lot different than the houses we’re familiar with today. In this informational text, Sarah J. Bell describes the different houses that Native Americans built. As studentsread, they take notes on how the environment affected the type of house Native Americans built.

In this activity, students read a fable by Aesop who was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE.

In this activity, students learn about the types of stories that Pixar tells. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this informational text, Rachel Slivnick discusses the types of stories that Pixar tells. As students read, they take notes on what all Pixar films have in common.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948), also known as Mahatmas Gandhi, was an Indian activist and leader in the Indian independence movement against the British rule in India. In this informational text, Sara Wilson Etienne discusses Gandhi’s march to the sea to protest a law put in place by the British Empire. As students read, they take notes on how Gandhi peacefully protested against the British Empire.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a poem and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this informational text, Peter McDonnell discusses the land of Africa and the people that live throughout the continent. As students read, they take notes on the different ways people live in Africa.

In this activity, students read about a boy who helps a classmate on the first day of second grade. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this poem, a boy helps a classmate on the first day of second grade. As students read, they take notes on the relationship between Jessica and Jared.

In this activity, students read about a girl works hard to make enough money to buy a doll. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this activity, students read a poem and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this informational text, Heidi Ayarbe discusses one girl’s experiences in the village. As students read, they take notes on the activities that Judica and her family take part in.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

Nancy Jean Northcutt has written for Highlights. In this short story, a boy doesn’t want to receive kisses from his grandmas and aunts. As you read, take notes on how James feels about his new sibling.

In this short story, a boy doesn’t want to receive kisses from his grandmas and aunts. As students read, they take notes on how James feels about his new sibling.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

Earth is a part of a solar system that includes seven other planets and their moons, all of which orbit around the sun. In this informational text, Barbara Radner provides additional information about what scientists have learned about our solar system. As students read, they take notes on the different planets and stars that the author discusses.

Earth is a part of a solar system that includes seven other planets and their moons, all of which orbit around the sun. In this informational text, Barbara Radner provides additional information about what scientists have learned about our solar system. As students read, they take notes on the different planets and stars that the author discusses.

In this activity, stdudents read about what scientists have learned about our solar system. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

In this adaptation of an old legend, a girl hurries to bring water for her mother in a tin dipper, a large spoon with a long handle. As students read, they take notes on the little girl’s actions on her way back with the water.

In this activity, students read a story and answer questions about the text. The resource contains guided reading and assessment questions.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the first effort by Americans to explore what is now the western United States. President Thomas Jefferson had just completed the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, in which the United States bought a great deal of land from the French. He wanted American travelers to map and characterize the newly acquired territory and establish an American presence there. As students read, they identify the difficulties that Lewis and Clark faced on their journey, and how they overcame them.