Literature standards

Kayla and I visited the zoo last weekend. The zoo was quite large, and we forgot to get a map on our way in. We saw different animals and many colorful birds. We kept walking until we realized we were lost. We were hungry and wanted to find a place to eat. There were no signs, so we did not know which way to go. We walked for a while until we finally found the zoo food court.

Which sentence is the best ending for the story?

• The zoo let us pet and feed some of the animals.

• Walking around a zoo without a map is not easy.

• We clicked many different pictures with animals.

• The food court did not serve our favorite tacos.

Heidi, the Therapy Dog

by Bernice Bellouny

There is a boy in my neighborhood named Sam. He struggled with reading. When he had to read out loud, it was even harder. He felt people judged him, and they laughed at him when he made mistakes and stumbled over words. "I hate reading," he said. My friend, Meghan, thought I could change his mind. I was not so sure.

You see, I am a dog—a great big Bernese mountain dog named Heidi. I am not just any dog. I am a therapy dog. That means I help people.

Therapy dogs have important work to do. Sometimes we are called "visiting" dogs. I like that better. It really describes what I do. I visit people, usually in hospitals and nursing homes. I do not do a lot of tricks. I just do what comes naturally—walk up to people and let them pet me. I really like being near people. They say I make people feel better. I help them relax, take their minds off their troubles, and feel less lonely. I have never helped anyone learn to read before.

"I bet you can make Sam relax when he is reading. That can help him learn," said Meghan. So, she got an invitation for us to go to Sam's school.

The first few times we met, Sam would not read in front of us. Meghan pretended to ignore us, and Sam and I would play. After awhile, he opened his book. He read softly. Meghan sat quietly off to the side. I lay next to Sam, resting my head on his lap and wagging my tail for support. He took his time, working out the words for himself. He relaxed. After that, we played less and he read more. He started to look forward to reading!

We go to the school twice a month now. "Heidi is here!" Sam and his friends greet us. We play for a while. Then, after we are all relaxed and comfortable, the kids take turns reading to me. I cannot correct them and I do not laugh, but I sure do enjoy a good story!

The author chose to write this passage from the dog's perspective to help the reader better understand that

• dogs are only good for protecting people's property.

• dogs are lazy animals only interested in eating and sleeping.

• dogs can enjoy their work when they find the right job.

• dogs prefer not to be around people most of the time.

Heidi, the Therapy Dog

by Bernice Bellouny

There is a boy in my neighborhood named Sam. He struggled with reading. When he had to read out loud, it was even harder. He felt people judged him, and they laughed at him when he made mistakes and stumbled over words. "I hate reading," he said. My friend, Meghan, thought I could change his mind. I was not so sure.

You see, I am a dog—a great big Bernese mountain dog named Heidi. I am not just any dog. I am a therapy dog. That means I help people.

Therapy dogs have important work to do. Sometimes we are called "visiting" dogs. I like that better. It really describes what I do. I visit people, usually in hospitals and nursing homes. I do not do a lot of tricks. I just do what comes naturally—walk up to people and let them pet me. I really like being near people. They say I make people feel better. I help them relax, take their minds off their troubles, and feel less lonely. I have never helped anyone learn to read before.

"I bet you can make Sam relax when he is reading. That can help him learn," said Meghan. So, she got an invitation for us to go to Sam's school.

The first few times we met, Sam would not read in front of us. Meghan pretended to ignore us, and Sam and I would play. After awhile, he opened his book. He read softly. Meghan sat quietly off to the side. I lay next to Sam, resting my head on his lap and wagging my tail for support. He took his time, working out the words for himself. He relaxed. After that, we played less and he read more. He started to look forward to reading!

We go to the school twice a month now. "Heidi is here!" Sam and his friends greet us. We play for a while. Then, after we are all relaxed and comfortable, the kids take turns reading to me. I cannot correct them and I do not laugh, but I sure do enjoy a good story!

Which line from the story supports the image?

• You see, I am a dog—a great big Bernese mountain dog named Heidi.

• I like that better. It really describes what I do.

• Therapy dogs have important work to do.

• I cannot correct them and I do not laugh, but I sure do enjoy a good story!

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

Which idea best fits in the graphic organizer to the side?

• Swim close to the ocean's surface

• Never leave their fresh water streams

• Swim upstream to return home

• Spend most of their lives in rivers

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

What is the central idea of this selection?

• A salmon's skin changes color from spotted to silver during the most important growth stage.

• People have kept salmon from returning to their birth streams because of dams and pollution.

• Salmon move through the five stages of growth and change very easily in the rivers.

• Salmon go through five stages of growth and a long journey to and from the ocean.

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

How does the author most likely feel about watching salmon journey home?

• The journey is something people always see.

• The journey is something special to see.

• The journey is not necessary for salmon.

• The journey should be made much sooner.

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

What does the prefix dis- do to the word appear?

• The prefix dis- changes the meaning to not appear.

• The prefix dis- changes the meaning to appear again.

• The prefix dis- changes the meaning to appear before.

• The prefix dis- changes the meaning to like to appear.

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

In this passage, the word fry refers to

• a stage of the salmon's growth.

• any small, fresh water type of fish.

• the food that young salmon eat.

• the best way to cook salmon.

The Long Journey Home

by Bernice Bellouny

If you do not find fish amazing, take a look at the Pacific Northwest salmon. For one thing, these fish live in both fresh and salt water. They are born in fresh water streams and lakes where they spend their early lives. Then they swim downstream to the ocean, where they grow up.

Stages of Growth

Female salmon make nests, called "redds," in fresh water stream beds. They lay thousands of eggs at a time, but not all of them make it. Those that do make it hatch and are called "alevins." These baby salmon have food sacs attached. When that food is used up, the salmon have to leave their nests to find more. This is the "fry" stage. Soon, the salmon's color changes and they get spots, called "parr" spots, which help them hide from other fish. Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color. At this stage, they are called "smolts." This is when the fish go through changes that will let them live in salt water. After the smolts grow for a while, they begin their journey downstream to the ocean.

The Upstream Journey

Salmon live in the ocean between one and seven years. Then they begin their journey back to the stream where they were born. This is the amazing part. To get there, they have to swim upstream. Sometimes they swim for thousands of miles. They have to swim against swift currents to make it back home. They have to avoid bigger fish. They have to avoid bears and other wild animals. They have to swim up waterfalls! These are some of the natural dangers they face. People have added to these problems, too. Many spawning areas are polluted or blocked by dams.

Many salmon never make it back to the streams where they were born because of all the problems they face. It is amazing to see them try, though.

Eventually, the parr spots disappear and the fish turn a silvery color.

In this story, what do the words in bold do?

• They tell the reader where to find certain information.

• They let the reader know what the sections are about.

• They give more information about how salmon live.

• They add color to the words and make the story look better.

Reducing TV Time

Nowadays, every child uses electronics. Children use mobile phones to talk to their friends and tablets to read books and play games. They even use computers to do their homework and write assignments. However, television (TV) is the electronic device that children use the most.

Watching TV can have many bad effects on children. The ads shown on TV make children want to buy things that they do not need. When children spend too much time watching TV, they are less active. They spend very little time outdoors—playing with friends or doing other physical activities. Some movies, cartoons, and shows can also have a bad effect on a child's mind. Studies have shown that children who watch a lot of TV keep to themselves. It means that they spend very little time with their families and friends.

What sentence should be added to form the best conclusion?

• Children should only watch TV during holidays and summer vacations.

• Therefore, it is important that children spend less time watching TV.

• Parents should take their children out so that they learn to play with others.

• Therefore, children can learn about history, art, and science through TV shows.