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.

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

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 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, 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.