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Did you know that a successful guided reading lesson has 6 easy steps to follow? Today's blog post will break down each one of these steps and show you how these guided reading lessons will make your job much easier for you. Each step is provided in a one-page format for the teacher to use with the lesson.

The Introduction- Step 1 of Guided Reading

During the introduction, the teacher shares helpful information with students about the text they are about to read and discuss. This is often planned in advance and designed to help students navigate their way through any potential places in the text where they may become stuck. Here are some ways that the teacher can prepare for the introduction:

• Jot down a few sentences and plan to read them to the group.
• Include a brief summary of what is about to be read.
• Find a way to get students excited about reading the text.
• Decode and define any vocabulary you believe the group may struggle reading.
• Tell students to anticipate a group discussion after reading.
• Instruct students what to do when finished reading.

Read the Text- Step 2

Decide how you will engage students in step 2, the reading of the text. This is KEY in ensuring reading success. There are many forms of reading: teacher reading, silent reading, partner reading, choral reading, echo reading, silent reading prep, or re-reading. Each one of these is broken down for suggested use inside the product. Things to consider:

• Read the text in advance. Consider the needs and abilities of the readers when choosing how you will read the text.
• If the text appears too challenging, it is still OKAY to use the text in a small group! Simply choose either teacher read or echo reading. The key is that students discuss and practice sharing their thinking after reading and consider the comprehension skill.

Students will follow along with their own copy of the text. They will respond and write their answers on this sheet. It is available both as a digital download or you can print it in color or black and white.

Talk About the Text- Step 3

The teacher asks open-ended questions to the group immediately after reading. Do not skip this step! It’s important to ask these questions immediately after reading so that you can see what exactly each reader is thinking about the text immediately after reading. Tips to consider:

• Use student responses to drive your future instruction and answer reflective teaching questions like, “what are the readers noticing and what are they missing?”
• Students can type responses into their student page while one or two answers aloud.
• You can certainly have them type their answer and then turn in their student page after the lesson is complete. This is a great accountability check and gives you the opportunity to read everyone’s thoughts, even if there is not enough time for each reader to share verbally during the group.

Targeted Skill- Step 4 of Guided Reading

Now that you have heard what the students were thinking about the text immediately after reading, it’s time to teach the targeted skill. Ask a few specific comprehension questions about the skill. Things that the teacher can do:

• Remind students what the skill is and define how readers use the skill.
• Students can type or write their responses on their student page while one or two answers aloud.
• Pay attention to whether the students are mastering the skill or if they need more whole group or small group support.

Word Work- Step 5

The teacher will introduce either a spelling, phonics, grammar, or vocabulary activity. Next, the teacher will begin building word work for students to see word patterns. Finally, students will add ideas to each word pattern. Here are some things you can try:

• Use an anchor chart to create the chart of word patterns.
• Dry erase boards work too!
• The teacher creates the chart, asking students to chime in and help build word patterns and understandings.
• Keep this time brief and to the point so that you do not isolate words too much and take away from the meaning of the text as a whole.

Independent Practice- Step 6

The teacher will instruct students to complete the independent page after reading. Next, students will immediately apply the targeted skill to a text they are reading independently. Finally, they will submit their independent work to the teacher when complete. Here are some tips:

• This is an excellent way to determine if students can apply the targeted skill to their own independent reading.
• It works to differentiate, as students read books they have chosen based on preferences and ability. They can apply the skill to their own independent level.
• Review the independent work, making teaching decisions on whether students need additional teaching support, or have mastered the reading skill.

The total time takes anywhere from 10-18 minutes to teach. All of these steps are completely designed and prepared for you in each lesson. No more running to find sets of guided reading books and figuring out what to teach. These lessons are grab-and-go. They can be printed and used with a teacher in small groups, or assigned digitally. To see more, refer to this blog post How to Make Guided Reading Easy For You

What's included in Guided Reading Lessons?

• 6 complete guided reading lessons for teaching summarizing.
• IMPORTANT: There are two passages. One fiction and one nonfiction. The passages are adjusted to be used in 3 levels. In each level the word work, vocabulary, and text complexity changes. The reading levels are: Basic (grades 1-2), Average (grades 3-4), Advanced (grades 5-6).
• Small group summary lesson page.
• Detailed description with time suggestions for each of the 6 small group steps.
• Teacher strategy guide for differentiating within each lesson.
• A complete teacher page for each lesson.
• 2 student pages for each lesson.
• Digital and printable (black and white) formats included.
• ANSWER KEYS!

Guided Reading Lesson Plans for Purchase

Today's blog post is going to show the steps for a typical day when using the Reading Comprehension Lesson Plans. These lesson plans focus on a particular reading skill for 5 days. We will look at Day 1 of the Inferring lesson.

Reading Comprehension Lesson Plan Steps

The first step is to write the mini-lesson statement on an anchor chart and read it to the class. For easier note-taking, the teacher can pass out the student sheets, allowing them to take notes and glue them into their reading notebooks for reference. Introduce what it means to “infer”. Suggested language is provided to help you with this step. Then write the definition of inferring on the anchor chart.

“I Do” Modeling of Inferring

Use a mentor text that you have already read. Model your thinking for students by showing them parts in the book when you are making an inference. Think about the book, show what the book or pictures say, use your schema (what you already know), and make an inference. Write this inference on the anchor chart. This is the “I do” part of the lesson.

“We Do” Inferencing Together

Next, invite students to think about a part of the book and what they already know. Have them make an inference and add it to the anchor chart. Invite students to turn and talk and find other inferences from the book. Call on a few to share out and add to the anchor chart. This is the “We do” part of the lesson. Ask students to complete their note-taking sheet as they think together.

“You Do” Independent Practice

Finally, students are asked to use a book they are currently reading to find inferences. The teacher will pass out the student page and explain directions to them. Students will complete the page independently and share out at the end of the reading workshop. This is the “You Do” part of the lesson. The teacher is able to pull small groups during independent practice for students that might need extra help. This completes the Day 1 lesson on inferring.

The Next 4 Days or the Lessons for Inferring

Each day of the reading comprehension skill, the lessons dig deeper which allows for a greater understanding of that particular concept. For example, Day 2 of inferring is identifying parts of the text where the writer could say more so that they can think about what the writer really meant. Day 3 is readers think about what the text is really saying so they can infer the big picture. Day 4 is inferring in fiction texts so they can learn more about characters, setting, plot and theme. In Day 5, inferring is used in nonfiction text to learn more about text boxes, subtitles, facts, and illustrations.

By the end of the week, the students have had a lot of practice as a class and independently to have a good grasp on the topic and apply those skills to their reading. There are different kinds of assessments you can give them to test their knowledge. You can reward them by presenting them with a certificate or with a brag tag. Both are provided for you in this unit.

Where Can I Find These Lessons?

The Reading Comprehension Lesson Plans are available in individual skills, sets, or bundles.

To see THE BUNDLE that this Mini Unit for Mastery is included in CLICK THIS LINK HERE
THE MEGA BUNDLE with ALL 36 MINI UNITS FOR MASTERY is available here CLICK THIS LINK HERE.
To see INDIVIDUAL SETS of Mini Units for Mastery CLICK THIS LINK HERE.
Use these LITERACY CENTER ACTIVITIES in correlation with the mini units and CLICK THIS LINK HERE.

To learn more about the Reading Comprehension Plans, refer to this blog post. The Best Reading Comprehension Plans

Do you need reading comprehension lesson plans that break it down in a way that students understand? The mini-units in this bundle include everything you need to teach, practice, assess, and build confidence with these specific reading comprehension skills! They will help your students remember the comprehension skill taught as they master them and apply them to their own reading.

What I like about this resource is that it focuses on one skill and goes allows your students to dig DEEP! With a limited amount of time with my students, there is even less time to fit it all in before testing season. I love that I can embed the mini units into my already made scope and sequence. You can plan on using this curriculum in small groups. If I see a group of students who are continuing to struggle with understanding characters, I can pull out this 5-day unit and reteach. Plus you can use it with ANY TEXT!

What's included in these reading comprehension lesson plans?

• 5 mini lesson statements and detailed teaching instructions for teaching about 12 specific reading comprehension skills.
• 5 sample mini-lesson anchor charts for each skill (your anchor charts will look different based on the mentor texts you choose to use and the responses from your students, but you can use the same outline as provided).
• ‘I Can’ statement cards for each lesson in the units. These are great to post in the room, at a literacy station, glued into readers’ notebooks, or posted at a small group table.
• Blank anchor chart pages for students with every lesson. These can be glued into reader’s notebooks in a mini-lesson section. Students can complete them during the lesson and have a record of learning kept safely in their notebooks to reference anytime!
• 5 graphic organizers for independent activities that match each of the 5 mini-lessons in each set. These can be used with any text students are reading and can be used over and over again. They are great for assessment!
• Short comprehension quizzes for each unit to administer after the 5 lessons are completed. Answer keys are provided!
• A certificate of mastery you can give students to build their confidence for each set!
• 14 different styles of brag tags for rewarding students for all their hard work and learning. These brag tags are available for students to collect for each skill!

Check out these quick links!

• To see THE BUNDLE that this Mini Unit for Mastery is included in CLICK THIS LINK HERE
• To see THE MEGA BUNDLE with ALL 36 MINI UNITS FOR MASTERY CLICK THIS LINK HERE.
• To see INDIVIDUAL SETS of Mini Units for Mastery CLICK THIS LINK HERE.
• Use these LITERACY CENTER ACTIVITIES in correlation with the mini units and CLICK THIS LINK HERE.

See all 36 skills

Click on each link to see the individual comprehension lessons

• Analyzing
• Author's Purpose
• Background Knowledge
• Cause and Effect
• Comparing
• Drawing Conclusions
• Fact and Opinion
• Finding Evidence
• Forming Opinions
• Graphics and Illustrations
• Inferring
• Interpreting Dialogue
• Main Idea and Details
• Making Connections
• Making Judgments
• Making Predictions
• Metacognition
• Perspectives
• Problem & Solution
• Questioning
• Reader's Purpose
• Reflecting
• Sequencing
• Settings
• Speculating
• Story Structure
• Summarizing
• Synthesizing
• Tension
• Text Features
• Text Importance
• Theme
• Understanding Characters
• Visualizing
• Vocabulary
• Word Solving Strategies

Are you a teacher that struggles with something for your students to do when they come to school first thing in the morning? Do your students come in gradually and do you need something for them to do while you are busy taking attendance and beginning your day? I have a solution for you. Daily Reading Morning Work can help you establish a routine for your students while building reading comprehension skills, growth mindset skills that build empathy, and learning about diversity.

What is Daily Reading Morning Work and How Can It Help?

Daily Reading Morning Work is an original short story that is set up to be completed over the course of a week. Each story starts on Day 1 and the story continues the next day for a total of 5 days. The stories are engaging and focus on a social-emotional skill each week, which makes for great discussions. There is also a reading comprehension skill with an “I Can” statement that students will be focusing on for the week. After reading the story, students will answer 2 multiple choice questions and a short answer question. A challenge question is provided each day that will help them extend their writing skills. Answer keys are included.

How Can I Use Daily Reading Morning Work?

• Bell work at the beginning of the school day.

• As a warm-up to reading during your reading workshop.

• Use them as ‘exit slips’ at the end of the school day or reading workshop.• Place them in a literacy center for comprehension.

• In guided reading as a quick warm-up to the lesson.

• Send them home for extra practice and support!

• Have students work in partners or small groups to complete the daily work.

• Use them for tutoring.

What grade is Daily Reading Morning Work For?

Daily Reading Morning Work is offered for multiple grades. There is a 1st-grade set, a 2nd-3rd grade set, a 4th-5th grade set, and a 6th-8th grade set. You can purchase each individual set, which will last you for 20 days. Purchase the money-saving year-long bundle that will cover 10 months or 200 days. There are many different formats available. They can be printed on a half sheet of paper, a full sheet of paper, double-sided, black and white, or color. You can also assign them digitally, so there are many options for you to choose from.

Try a Free Week of Daily Morning Work

If you're looking for a quick review of comprehension skills, then this is a great opportunity for you to try a free week of daily reading morning work!

TRY GRADE 1 FOR FREE

TRY GRADES 2-3 FOR FREE

TRY GRADES 4-5 FOR FREE

Check it out on TpT now! Daily Reading Morning Work

For further information, check out this blog post, A Free Week of Morning Work

These highly engaging reading comprehension passages are professionally leveled by Lexile, Fountas and Pinnell, DRA, and grade level. Students can work on a specific comprehension skill while answering multiple choice, short answer questions, and underlining text evidence in the story. Because the comprehension passages are written for older students, they don't seem babyish to them.

Students are able to work at their ability level while completing purposeful work. This allows time for the teacher to work in small groups while the students are engaged and practicing their reading comprehension skills. The comprehension passages are available in both print and digital format and answer keys are included. These shorter passages allow for students to build stamina, which is crucial for the beginning of the year.

Included in the comprehension passages set:

• 4 comprehension passages for practicing a specific skill.
• A/B multiple-choice questioning.
• Open-ended evidence-based question.
• Challenge activity to find evidence in the text.
• Custom Illustrations from Malaya Bengel Art.
• Lexile, F&P, and grade levels for each passage.
• Completed answer keys.Recommended for grades 2-6

Comprehension Passages are available in a money-saving Bundle, which contains all 36 of the reading comprehension skills required by Common Core Standards. They can also be purchased individually to work on specific reading skills, allowing the teacher to customize to the needs of the students.

• Analyzing
• Author's Purpose
• Background Knowledge
• Cause and Effect
• Comparing
• Dialogue
• Drawing Conclusions
• Fact and Opinion
• Finding Evidence
• Illustrations
• Inferring
• Judging
• Main Idea and Details
• Making Connections
• Metacognition
• Opinions
• Perspective
• Predicting
• Problem and Solution
• Questioning
• Reader's Purpose
• Reflecting
• Sequencing
• Setting
• Speculating
• Story Structure
• Summarizing
• Synthesizing
• Tension
• Text Features
• Text Importance
• Theme
• Understanding Characters
• Vocabulary
• Visualizing
• Word Strategies

Pair the comprehension passages with the differentiated comprehension task cards for even more practice. For more information on how to use these task cards, follow the link to a blog post, Task Cards for Reading Comprehension with Older Students

Are you looking for a way that students can practice reading comprehension skills? These differentiated task cards allow your students to read a passage and answer questions based on their own reading level. They cover 36 different reading comprehension skills. These task cards are available in both digital and print and the answer keys are provided so students can check their own work. Simply print the task cards or assign them digitally and you are ready to go.

Ways to use the reading comprehension task cards

• As online digital task card activities
• In small groups when focusing on a specific skill.
• To reinforce skills during literacy centers.
• In partner work.
• As a game. Tape task cards around the room for kids to move around while practicing reading. Students will ‘work the room.’
• For tutors to use in small groups.
• As a review for standardized tests.
• For a quick 5-minute time filler.
• Perfect to leave for a substitute teacher.
• Connect the task cards to any board game. If they answer the task card correctly, they move a space in the game.
• Independent practice.
• Hide them in the room as a scavenger hunt.

There are a couple of options to choose from. Save the most money by purchasing The Reading Comprehension Task Card bundle, which includes all 36 reading comprehension skills listed below. The bundle has a total of 432 task cards on 3 different levels for a total of 1296 task cards!!! If you are needing a specific skill, they are also available for purchase individually. Each reading comprehension skill has 12 task cards each for basic, average and advanced levels. By clicking on each comprehension skill below, you will be taken to the individual link for purchase.

Reading comprehension skills taught

• Analyzing
• Author's Purpose
• Background Knowledge
• Cause and Effect
• Character Traits
• Comparing
• Dialogue
• Drawing Conclusions
• Fact and Opinion
• Finding Evidence
• Graphics/Illustrations
• Inferring
• Judging
• Main Idea and Details
• Making Connections
• Metacognition
• Opinions
• Perspective
• Predicting
• Problem and Solution
• Questioning
• Reader's Purpose
• Reflecting
• Sequencing
• Setting
• Speculating
• Story Structure
• Summarizing
• Synthesizing
• Tension
• Text Features
• Text Importance
• Theme
• Visualizing
• Vocabulary
• Word Strategies

Interested in Reading Comprehension Lessons, check out this blog post: https://www.outofthisworldliteracy.com/free-reading-comprehension-lessons/

*all links are affiliate

I get asked all the time what texts are perfect for each reading level. Here you will find a LARGE list of text suggestions for grades 3rd and 4th. 

LEVEL M FICTION

Chicken Sunday by Patrica Polacco

Chicken Sunday is a story filled with family values where a young Jewish Russian girl and her two African-American neighborhood friends devise a plan to raise money to buy the boys' grandmother a new Easter bonnet. It bridges racial and religious differences in a beautiful tale about building relationships.

Themes: Diversity, sacrifice, misunderstanding, and compassion

Alexandar, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst

In the story, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday, Alexander receives a dollar from his grandparents that he plans to save, but he spends it all, a little at a time. This story is a great way to introduce and practice financial literacy skills.

Themes: Responsibilities, value of money, and control of impulses

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town—except for its weather which came three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Life was delicious for the townspeople before the weather took a turn for the worst. 

Themes: Human and weather interactions, safety and security

Judy Moody Series by Megan McDonald (Chapter Books)

Judy Moody doesn't have high hopes for third grade. But she does have an abundance of individuality and attitude.

Themes: Individuality, feelings, friends, and family

The Beast in Ms. Rooney’s Room by Patricia Reilly Giff

Richard “Beast” Best is a struggling reader who is worried about being teased. He might have to repeat the same teacher and take a special reading class with “babies” like Emily Arrow and Matthew Jackson. Richard also can keep out of trouble. Luckily, he is placed in Mrs. Paris reading class who shows Richard that reading can be fun!

Themes: Friendship, self-reliance, and self-esteem 

LEVEL M INFORMATIONAL

Teeny Tiny Animals by Lexi Ryals

This adorable book about tiny animals is the cutest thing you’ve read all year. There are all sorts of itty bitty animals out there: dogs, pigs, frogs, lizards, and more! Each one is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and cute enough to melt your heart.

The Picture History of Great Inventors by Gillian Clements

Follow the lives and work of over 50 major innovators as you set off on a journey from the earliest inventions in recorded history to the most recent developments in science and technology.

Saving Money by Dana Meachen Rau

A perfect book to pair with Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday, Saving Money focuses on the exploration of the history of coins, money, and finance. Dana Meachen Rau gives sound advice for safe and responsible handling of money. 

Giant Bulldozers by Jim Mesanotte

Giant Bulldozers presents information on massive industrial bulldozers, illustrated with photographs of different models towering over people and landscapes.

Ellis Island by Frances E. Ruffin

France E. Ruffin provides readers with many engaging text features such as maps and charts to increase understanding of Ellis Island. 

LEVEL N FICTION

Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit by Paula Danziger (Chapter Book Series)

No matter what Amber does, it isn’t enough. She straightens up her room, sort of. She does her homework, well, most of it. And she agrees to meet Max, her mother’s new boyfriend, but she doesn’t agree to like him. Amber continues to fall short, and now she is in deep trouble. All she wants is a little extra credit. She really tries … But how will she succeed?

Themes: Family relationships, divorce, seperate homes

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out! This unique twist on the legend of King Midas, John acquires a magical gift that turns his lips touch into chocolate! 

Themes: Greed, consequences 

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

My Father’s Dragon tells the story of when a young Elmer traveled to Wild Island to save a dragon hatchling. Elmer uses his creativity and quick thinking to complete his rescue mission.

Themes: Bravery, imagination

My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada

“For María Isabel Salazar López, the hardest thing about being the new girl in school is that the teacher doesn't call her by her real name. “We already have two Marías in this class,” says her teacher. “Why don't we call you Mary instead?” But María Isabel has been named for her Papá's mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself?”-Amazon

Themes: Racism, oppression, importance of names

The Talent Show from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Mrs. Green says everyone must perform in the talent show for exactly one minute in front of the whole school and their parents! Even though a talent show from the Black Lagoon would give any kid stage fright, with a little luck this performance might turn out to be fun!

LEVEL N INFORMATIONAL

Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln by Jean Fritz

A true story about a great man and his speech. 

George vs George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer

There are two sides to every story. Follow along to learn about George Washington, the man who freed American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. 

Basketball’s Greatest Players by S. A. Kramer

Basketball’s Great Players offers tons of facts about the best players in the game, what they are known for, and how they got their start. 

Dancing with Manatees by Faith McNulty

Examines the physical characteristics, behavior, and evolution of this gentle creature.

Mercury by Margaret J. Goldstein

The perfect book to add to your planet unit! An introduction to Mercury, describing its place in the solar system, its physical characteristics, its movement in space, and other facts about this planet.

LEVEL O FICTION

Class Clown by Johannah Hurwitz

Lucas Cott, the loudest boy in the third grade, struggles to change his ways when he decides to become the perfect student

Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl

Dirty Beasts is a collection of poems about mischievous and mysterious animals. Roald Dahl wrote themes of animals and ‘beasts' – ranging from a giant toad and snail to a monster living in a boy's tummy. 

Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary

Henry has a strong bond with his dog Ribsy, even if he is a trouble-maker. So when Henry asks his dad if he can go along on the big fishing trip, Mr. Huggins agrees, but on one condition: Henry must keep Ribsy out of trouble. Can Henry keep his promise?

Themes: Friendship, responsibility

Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

Although Ramona likes being counted on, she is starting to realize that getting older means more responsibilities. Mrs. Quimby is heading back to work so Mr. Quimby can return to school leaving Ramona with Mrs. Kemp. Ramona has to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself. Oh, and  Danny the Yard Ape won’t stop teasing her!

Themes: Try your best, face your fears, be yourself

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Taking place during the Great Depression, Turtle is sent off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she’s never met. Will the Florida sunshine bring Turtle out of her shell that she has spent her whole life building?

Themes: Love, loss, family, hopes, dreams

LEVEL O INFORMATIONAL

Armies of Ants by Walter Retan

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and habits of ants and discusses their ecological importance

Ugly Cute Animals by Gilda Berger

From bulldogs to sloths, lemurs to hippos, there are ugly cute animals all across the animal kingdom.  Ugle Cute Animals features large full-color photos with fun facts about each creature. Readers will get a kick out of silly creatures and the trendy phrase “ugly cute.”

Penguins by Jill Esbaum

In Explore My World Penguins, readers will learn about the delightful world of penguins: the extreme lengths they go to to care for their young and the relationship between baby penguins and their parents.

Everything Birds of Prey by Blake Hoena

From eagles to falcons and talons to beaks, Everything Birds of Prey introduces readers to the world's most ferocious fliers.

Animal Senses by Pamela Hickman

Animal Senses reveals the extraordinary ways animals sense their environment. Easy-to-do experiments and activities show kids how to compare animal senses to their own.

LEVEL P FICTION

Circle of Gold by Candy Dawson Boyd

The death of Mattie's father throws her entire family into hard times. As Mother's Day approaches, Mattie becomes determined to buy her mother a gold pin.

Themes: Dealing with loss

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moving from terminal to terminal trying not to be noticed, is given hope when a trapped bird finally finds its freedom.

Themes: Family, working through hard times

The Time Warp Trio (Series) by Jon Scieszka

Adventures of three boys–Joe, Sam, and Fred–who travel through time and space with the aid of a mysterious object known as “The Book”.

Themes: Adventure, friendship

Otis by Ellen Miles

“Someone has left Otis, an adorable tabby, all alone at the local community center. When Michael and Mia hear about the abandoned kitty, they volunteer to help. Otis is wary of strangers and scared of loud noises. His sad yowls keep the family up all night! Michael knows not just any owner will love this tentative tabby. Can he find Otis a forever home?”-Amazon

Themes: Pets, responsibility, solving problems

The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole

Frizzle and her class are on the Magic School Bus headed for a museum. They have been studying how the body turns food into energy, and now they are going to see an exhibit on the human body. Things seem fine until they stop for lunch. A strange mishap causes the bus to shrink and then be swallowed!

LEVEL P INFORMATIONAL

Tut’s Mummy: Lost…and Found by Judy Donnelly

Readers will learn all about Howard Carter’s discovery of the Tomb and learn all about ancient Egyptian life. 

One Day in the Desert by Jean Craighead George

Follow along as a wounded mountain lion moves from his mountain habitat to a Papago Indian hut in Arizona’s Sonoran desert during a record-breaking July day. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder: Growing up in the Little House by Patricia Reilly Giff

Learn all about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life, the creator behind the Little House books!

If You Lived at the TIme of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine

This book tells you what it was like during the exciting era when Martin Luther King led the fight against segregation.

The Daring Escape of Ellen Craft by Cathy Moore

“On December 21, 1848, Ellen Craft and her husband, William, slipped out into the cold, dark night and took their first steps towards freedom. They were runaway slaves. Posing as a white man traveling with a slave, Ellen courageously boarded a train bound for Philadelphia. Could they actually make it a thousand miles without being discovered? As each tension-filled day passed and freedom got closer, Ellen and William risked everything – even death – to be free.”–Amazon

Happy teaching!

Jen & Hannah 

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To see more literacy support visit jenbengel.com

Here is a list of suggested mentor texts perfect for any classroom that focus on comprehension skills and strategies! 

Character Traits

My New Friend is So Fun!  by Mo Willems 

Readers compare how they are alike and different from characters so they can make connections.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Tension

Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Readers describe how the main characters act as tension rises so they can compare how they would have acted in the story.

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman 

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by National Geographic Learning 

Cause and Effect

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Readers use the words ‘if’ and ‘then’ to describe cause and effect so they can make connections between events in a story.

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

One Plastic Bag by Alice McLerran

Finding Evidence

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy

Readers use evidence in the text to describe the mood so they can better understand how people in the text feel.

Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!  By Mem Fox

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by  Patricia Polacco

Synthesizing 

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran

Readers share their first thoughts about a book so they can think more deeply about each of their ideas

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

The Book of Bad Ideas by Laura Huliska-Beith

Theme

The Book Itch by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (suggested for older grades) 

Readers consider all the reasons the author wrote a book so they can determine a theme.

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

Wangari’s Tree of Peace by Jeanette Winter

Readers identify parts that describe the theme so they can judge how well the writer described the theme.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry

That Book Woman by Heather Henson

Questioning

The Invisible Boy by Patrice Barton

Readers ask questions about events in a story so they can think of other things that could have happened.

White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman

The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth

Problem/Solution

The Adventures of Beekle the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Readers identify the main problem so they can think of possible solutions.

The Monster at the end of this Book by Jon Stone

Fire on the Mountain by John N Maclean

Setting

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews

Readers look for words and phrases that describe the setting so they can picture it in their minds.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams

Pigs by My Incredible World

Compare and Contrast

Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen

Readers identify the traits of characters in a book so they can compare how they are alike and different.

Always in Trouble by Corinne Demas

Let me Finish! By Minh Lê

Metacognition 

What do you do with an Idea? By Kobi Yamada

Readers ask themselves questions so they can begin to understand how their mind’s think.

Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary Chamberlin

What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

Main Idea and Details

Firefires by Mary R. Dunn

Readers identify main ideas so that they can think of key details the author could have included.

Max’s Words by Kate Banks

I Lost my Tooth in Africa by Baba Wague Diakite

Visualizing 

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Readers form pictures in their minds as they read so that they can better understand the text.

Crow Call by Louis Lowery

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell

Analyzing 

The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland

Readers identify the writer's best phrases or sentences so that they can analyze the writer’s style. 

The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant

The Best Beekeeper of Lalibela by Cristina Kessler

Judging

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

Readers judge the topics from the text so they can support their judgments with reasons.

Malala by Sarah J. Robbins

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

Background Knowledge

My Name is Sangoel by Karen Williams

Readers describe what they know about settings so they can use their background knowledge during reading.

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

My Librarian is a Camel by Margriet Ruurs

Inferring

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

Readers identify evidence in the text and what they already know so they can make inferences.

The Watering Hole by Jane and Christopher Kurtz 

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Summarizing

Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg

Readers summarize their opinions of a text so they can retell what they think of a text.

Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon

The Librarian of Basra  by Jeanette Winter

Making Connections

What Does it Mean to Be Present? By  Rana DiOrio

Readers identify strong phrases in a text so that they can make connections to the text.

Unlovable by Dan Yaccarino

Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch

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