!
Fluency
Activities
!
Fluency Check Center
Directions:
1. Partner 1 selects a fluency passage (see
FLUENCY PASSAGES)
2. Partner 2 starts the stopwatch and partner 1
reads the passage
3. Partner 2 listens to Partner 1 read and listens
for number of repetitions, phrasing of words, and
expression in voice.
4. When the time is over, Partner 2 completes
“Fluency Check” worksheet. Then Partner 1 and
Partner 2 switch jobs.
Additional Materials:
• A partner (parent, guardian, friend)
• Stopwatch
• Pencil
Standards:
RF.3.3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and
word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.3.4. Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency
to support comprehension
!
Fluency Check #1
Partner #1:______________________________ Date:_______________
Story:__________________________________________
Level:______
Total words read:_______ Mistakes:_______ Minutes read: 1 2 3
(circle)
Fluency
Level
After listening to your partner read, put an “X” in
the boxes of all that apply.
4
! 
! 
! 
Reads in large phrases.
Most of the story is read with expression in voice.
Very few repetitions.
3
! 
! 
Reads in 3 to 4 word phrases.
Little or no expression in voice when reading.
2
! 
! 
Most of the reading is in 2 word phrases.
Some word-by-word reading.
1
! 
Almost all of the reading is word-by-word
Fluency Check #2
Partner #1:______________________________ Date:_______________
Story:__________________________________________
Level:______
Total words read:_______ Mistakes:_______ Minutes read: 1 2 3
(circle)
Fluency
Level
After listening to your partner read, put an “X” in
the boxes of all that apply.
4
! 
! 
! 
Reads in large phrases.
Most of the story is read with expression in voice.
Very few repetitions.
3
! 
! 
Reads in 3 to 4 word phrases.
Little or no expression in voice when reading.
2
! 
! 
Most of the reading is in 2 word phrases.
Some word-by-word reading.
1
! 
Almost all of the reading is word-by-word
Teach123
Fluency Graph
Directions:
1. Partner 1 selects a fluency passage (see
FLUENCY PASSAGES)
2. Partner 2 starts the timer for one minute and
partner 1 reads the passage.
3. Stop reading after 1 minute.
4. Graph the number of words read on the fluency
graph provided.
5. Select different passages and continue to graph
progress over the summer.
Additional Materials:
• A partner (parent, guardian, friend)
• Timer
• Pencil, markers, or crayons (for graphing)
Standards:
RF.3.4b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally
with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression
on successive readings.
!
Name_____________________________
1st Quarter
150
145
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
week week week week week week week week week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
My Beginning of the Quarter Fluency Score: _______
My End of the Quarter Fluency Score: ______
helloliteracy.blogspot.com
Name_____________________________
2nd Quarter
150
145
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
week week week week week week week week week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
My Beginning of the Quarter Fluency Score: _______
My End of the Quarter Fluency Score: ______
helloliteracy.blogspot.com
Fluency Spinners
Directions:
1. Selects a fluency passage (see FLUENCY
PASSAGES)
2. Create simple spinner (place paperclip in the
center of the spinner wheel, hold pencil point
down in the middle of the paper clip, use finger to
spin paperclip around the pencil)
3. Partner 1 reads the fluency passage in the tone
selected (e.g. happy, sleepy, angry)
3. Partner 1 and 2 take turns reading passages in
different tones.
Additional Materials:
• A partner (parent, guardian, friend)
• Pencil
• Paperclip
Standards:
RF.3.4b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally
with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression
on successive readings.
!
Fluency Spinner 1
Happy
Sleepy
Angry
Scared
Excited
Sad
Fluency Spinner 2
Scared
Surprised
Excited
Grumpy
Disappointed
Bored
One Breath Boxes
Directions:
1. The student takes one deep breath and tries to
read all of the words in a box without stopping.
2. Start with the shortest box and work your way
up to the longest box.
3. Once a student masters one set, move on to the
next.
Note: The activity is based on Fry Sight Word
Lists. Changing the order ensures mastery rather
than memorization of the order of the words
Additional Materials:
• None
Standards:
RF.3.3d Read grade-appropriate irregularly
spelled words.
!
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 1 - 25
the
of
and
a
to
in
is
you
that
©"2012 Donna Coleman
it
he
was
for
on
are
as
with
his
they
I
at
be
this
have
from
and
you
that
are
with
was
the
have
are
they
in
with
from
his
be
that
is
was
this
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 1 - 25
from
have
in
are
this
be
is
was
they
©"2012 Donna Coleman
and
I
for
it
with
as
on
you
the
was
is
for
have
that
he
a
you
are
from
that
at
this
with
they
are
I
this
from
and
it
his
on
as
that
you
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 26 - 50
or
one
had
by
word
but
not
what
all
©"2012 Donna Coleman
were
we
when
your
can
said
there
use
and
each
which
she
do
how
their
if
but
not
all
there
and
we
your
when
said
can
use
which
she
how
word
what
their
each
by
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 26 - 50
not
if
but
all
she
which
how
we
your
©"2012 Donna Coleman
what
there
can
do
but
each
said
use
when
word
or
if
their
one
do
had
how
by
said
can
your
were
there
which
what
use
do
she
and
their
said
but
word
when
each
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 1 - 25
the
of
and
a
to
in
is
you
that
©"2012 Donna Coleman
it
he
was
for
on
are
as
with
his
they
I
at
be
this
have
from
and
you
that
are
with
was
the
have
are
they
in
with
from
his
be
that
is
was
this
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 1 - 25
from
have
in
are
this
be
is
was
they
©"2012 Donna Coleman
and
I
for
it
with
as
on
you
the
was
is
for
have
that
he
a
you
are
from
that
at
this
with
they
are
I
this
from
and
it
his
on
as
that
you
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 26 - 50
or
one
had
by
word
but
not
what
all
©"2012 Donna Coleman
were
we
when
your
can
said
there
use
and
each
which
she
do
how
their
if
but
not
all
there
and
we
your
when
said
can
use
which
she
how
word
what
their
each
by
One
Breath Boxes
Take one deep breath and try to read all
the words in a box without stopping.
Start with the shortest box and work your
way up to the longest!
Fry 26 - 50
not
if
but
all
she
which
how
we
your
©"2012 Donna Coleman
what
there
can
do
but
each
said
use
when
word
or
if
their
one
do
had
how
by
said
can
your
were
there
which
what
use
do
she
and
their
said
but
word
when
each
!
Fluency
Passages
Levels K-P — 2nd grade
Levels Q-T — 3rd grade
Choose passages around your child’s reading
level. Rereading some passages over the summer
will help build fluency as well!
!
LEVEL
K
A Trip to the Zoo
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 76
A Trip to the Zoo
You can see many animals at the zoo. There are grizzly
bears, black bears, and brown bears.
11
17
A zoo in Washington has giant pandas. Giant pandas
are bears, too. They have black and white fur. They have
thick fur that keeps them warm.
26
37
43
The penguin house is a good place when it is hot.
Many zoos have apes. They are always fun to watch.
You may even see a seal show. A zoo has many surprises.
54
64
76
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
10
20
30
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
K
Baseball
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 96
Baseball
Go and see a baseball game. It is played with a bat
and a ball. There are nine players on a team. There are
two teams.
12
24
26
One team throws the ball. A player from the other team
tries to hit the ball. If the player hits the ball, he runs.
He tries to run to home base. His team gets one run if he
makes it.
37
50
64
66
The other team tries to tag him. If the runner is tagged,
he is out. The team with the most runs wins. Baseball can
be a fun game to play!
78
90
96
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
10
20
30
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
K
How Zebras Got Their Stripes
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 129
Cali the Colorful Cow
There once was a special cow named Cali. She loved to
paint her hooves different colors. One day, Cali had a
problem. She could not finish painting her hooves. She
ran out of her favorite hoof polish color, pink. She worked
so hard on the first three hooves. She only had one more
left to paint. What could she do? Cali was upset. She felt
impatient. She could not relax. “I know,” said Cali, “I will
ask my friend Mona the mule for some of her hoof polish!”
Cali would fool Mona if she had to. She hoped that Mona
would appreciate her problem instead. Mona was happy
to let Cali use her pink hoof polish. Cali finished painting
her hooves. Cali could roam as a colorful cow again.
1
2
3
4
5
11
21
30
41
53
65
76
88
100
108
119
129
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
10
20
30
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
L
Black Holes
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 85
Black Holes
Deep in space there are things called black holes. A black
hole is special. It is like a vacuum cleaner. It pulls in
everything around it. It can pull in rocks. It can even pull
in light. A black hole is black because there is no light.
11
23
35
47
Black holes are far away from us. We can’t see them
without a special tool. We know they are there because
we can see what they do. Black holes are some of the most
amazing objects in space.
58
68
81
85
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
L
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Let’s Play Tag
Name
Word Count: 98
Let’s Play Tag
“I wonder who is ringing the doorbell?” Kim said to her
brother Mike. She went to answer the door. “Look at this,”
she said. “Tom and Pat are here.”
11
22
29
“Do you want to play with us?” asked Pat. “It is a good day
to play outside.”
43
46
“Come on!” said Tom. “We want to play a game of tag
in the park. It will be lots of fun!”
58
67
“Yes, I want to play tag with you,“ said Kim. “Can Mike
come along, too? He is great at playing tag.”
79
88
“Sure, let’s go! We will all play tag!” said Tom.
98
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
L
Tornadoes
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 89
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are very wild winds. You must stay far away
from them. Tornado winds can blow up to 300 miles per
hour. That is faster than a racecar. Most tornadoes happen
during the spring, when warm air and cool air meet. This
kind of weather can create a tornado.
10
21
31
42
49
A slow tornado can break tall trees. A fast tornado may
lift a house into the air. If a tornado comes, find a room
with no windows. This is one of the best places to stay
safe during a tornado.
60
73
85
89
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
M
Mars
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 100
Mars
If you get a chance, look at Mars through a telescope.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is smaller than
Earth and has two moons.
11
23
28
Mars is called the Red Planet because it is covered with
red rocks and dirt. There are even dust storms there! You
might also see an ice cap. People think that Mars used to
be like Earth. There are signs that there used to be rivers.
Now the rivers are dry.
39
50
62
74
79
People still do not know if there is or was life on Mars.
Would you like to make Mars your home?
1
2
3
4
5
92
100
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
M
Soccer
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 122
Soccer
Soccer is a great sport that’s been around for a long time.
Soccer is played with a ball on a large field. There is a goal
with a net at each end of the field. There are two teams
with eleven players each.
12
26
39
43
During the game, each team tries to put the ball into the
other team’s net. Each time a team puts the ball into the
net, it scores one point. The team that has scored the most
points at the end of the match wins.
55
67
79
87
Players can kick the ball with their feet. They can also hit
the ball with their heads. They can’t touch the ball with
their arms or hands, though. Girls and boys everywhere
enjoy playing soccer!
99
110
119
122
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
M
Star Five News
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 88
Star Five News
“This is Star Five News. I am Jan Jones. We are at New
Hills School. The second-grade kids have turned the gym
into a holiday fair! Here with me is Mrs. Hall, the teacher.
Tell us about this work, Mrs. Hall.”
13
22
34
41
“I am very proud of the children. Each one of them chose
a holiday from another country. Then they learned about
the holiday and set up a booth to teach others about it.”
53
62
74
“Thanks, Mrs. Hall. That is all from Star Five News. I am
Jan Jones.”
86
88
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
20
30
40
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
N
Helicopters
Fluency Passage–Nonfiction
Name
Word Count: 112
Helicopters
A helicopter is different from a plane. Unlike a plane, it has
blades on top. The blades are called a rotor. When the rotor
turns fast, the helicopter takes off. A helicopter does not need
a runway because it goes straight up in the air. It can even stop
in the air like a hummingbird.
Helicopters are important. They are used in many different
ways. They are used to watch traffic to keep the highways
safe. They carry things to places where there are no roads.
Helicopters carry sick people over traffic to hospitals. Watch
for a helicopter flying in the sky. Think about how it is being
used to help people.
1
2
3
4
5
12
24
35
49
55
64
75
86
95
108
112
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
N
Colleen and the Leprechaun
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 144
The Pot of Gold
Danny lay in a field of dandelions. This was the perfect
spot for a nap. He felt the sun warm his bare feet. Closing
his eyes, he began to doze.
11
24
30
But he did not sleep long. A strange noise woke him up.
It sounded like tiny voices singing out of tune. He listened
closely. What could it be?
52
63
68
Danny had read all the legends. He had heard many
stories about leprechauns and their treasure. He lay still.
The voices got louder and louder. His suspicion grew.
Finally, he walked toward the noise. Soon he was running.
Thoughts of gold sped him along.
78
87
96
106
112
When Danny arrived at the spot, he had to laugh. It was
only a nest of bees! Their buzzing sounded like tiny voices
singing out of tune. There would be no pot of gold. But
there would be a pot of honey!
124
135
147
154
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
N
The Rainbow
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 108
The Rainbow
“I see it! I see it!” everyone was shouting.
9
Carlos shaded his eyes with his hand. He looked up in the
sky. He could not find the rainbow that everyone else could
see. Carlos knew about rainbows. He’d learned about them at
school. He knew that they appeared when the sky cleared after
a rain. He knew that when the sun’s light hit water drops in the
air, it made a rainbow.
21
32
42
53
67
72
Carlos went inside. A few minutes later, he rushed back out. He 84
was holding a spray bottle filled with water. He squirted water 95
in the air and smiled. He had made a rainbow of his own!
108
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
O
Seeing Stars
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 110
Seeing Stars
“It’s movie time!” shouted Tom. “Race you to the van!” He picked
up his goggles and sprinted past Anna.
12
19
Anna had no idea what Tom was talking about. She knew they were
going to the pool. Anna climbed into the van and sat next to Tom.
32
46
“Ready for the movie?” asked Dad.
52
“What are you talking about?” Anna asked. “I thought we were
going swimming.”
63
65
“Don’t you remember?” asked Tom. “It’s Flick and Float Night at the
pool. Everyone watches a movie and floats on the water.”
77
87
Anna looked up at the night sky and chuckled. “I can’t wait to tell
my friends that I saw stars at the movies!”
101
110
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
O
The Penguins
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 128
The Penguins
Two weeks ago, a ship sank. It caused a huge oil spill. The oil spread
across the water to a nearby island. Thousands of penguins lived on
the island. The adult penguins and their babies were in danger.
15
27
38
“Jane, come over here,” called Dad. I followed him over to the
penguin pools.
50
52
“You can work here with Dr. May,” said Dad. “You can carry
buckets of water and clean the pools. They get oily after the
penguins have been washed.”
64
76
80
I couldn’t wait to begin. The penguins could die unless we cleaned
the oil from their feathers. My dad said it would take us another
three weeks to get all the oil cleaned up. I can’t wait to see all the
penguins clean and back at their home.
1
2
3
4
5
92
105
121
128
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
O
The Three Little Pigs: The Wolf’s Story
Fluency Passage–Fiction
Name
Word Count: 183
What Was Goldilocks Doing?
You have to know I was desperate. That is the first thing to know.
I simply was not at my best. I had not eaten for days. I hadn’t slept
a wink. I was delirious, I tell you!
14
30
38
I was on my way home, but it was still far away. The cold wind
hit me from all directions. My hands and feet were frostbitten.
This will be the end of me, poor Goldilocks, I thought.
53
64
75
Then I saw it. It was a small, sturdy house in the middle of the forest.
No one was home. I was cold, hungry, and tired. What would you
do? I slipped in.
91
104
108
I’ll admit, I made myself comfortable. At first, I just needed to rest.
I sat in the best chair I could find. Then my belly growled with
hunger. I ate the meal that was just right. Finally, I was sleepy.
One bed looked best. It was warm and familiar. It was just like
the bed I had at home.
121
135
148
161
167
Perhaps it was wrong. Perhaps I slept too long. But I will never
say I’m sorry!
180
183
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
TARGET
30
40
50
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
www.readinga-z.com
Level P
Fluency Passage
City Park, USA
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 137
Girls play basketball. A dad pushes his baby in a stroller. A couple
jogs along a trail with two dogs. These are some things you might
see at your city park. Look around. What else do you see?
13
Each city park is different. Some parks have swings, slides, and
sandboxes. Other parks have swimming pools and tennis courts.
Some may have jogging trails or horseback riding. At some parks,
you can even bring a tent and camp out overnight!
49
Some city parks are located next to rivers or lakes. At these parks,
you might find people swimming or boating. A city park in a
mountain area has places for people to go rock climbing or hiking.
92
All city parks have one thing in common, though. They are full
of smiling faces. Maybe yours is one of them.
1
2
3
4
5
26
38
58
69
79
104
116
128
137
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
P
LEVEL
Max
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 153
Eric the Bully
Eric thought he had it pretty good. He was the tallest kid in
class. He figured that meant he could tell other people what to
do. As far as Eric was concerned, he was the boss. If people didn’t
listen, he would flex his muscles. Then people would give him
what he wanted.
13
25
39
50
53
Everyone thought Eric was a mean bully. They decided to teach
him a lesson. They all agreed not to give him what he wanted.
64
77
The next day, Eric was at lunch. When he looked in his bag, he
saw that he had not brought a drink. No problem for the boss,
right? He walked up to Kathy.
91
105
110
“Give me your drink,” he said.
116
Kathy looked down. “No,” she said sheepishly.
123
Eric was surprised. He flexed his muscles. Still, Kathy would
not give him her drink. In fact, nobody would.
133
142
Eric was angry. His bullying days had come to an end.
153
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
10
30
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
50
70
90
TARGET
110
130
150
170
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
P
Landon’s Pumpkins
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 131
Lori Wants to Recycle
It was a cool spring day. The temperature in the garage was
warm. Lori was sorting old sneakers. Her class at school was
collecting sneakers. They were going to recycle them. Whoever
gave the most would win a prize.
12
23
32
39
Lori had over twenty pairs. She would have had more, but her
brothers were too stubborn to donate their shoes! Her chances
of winning were now reduced. She had counted on her
brothers’ old shoes! Her brothers had saved their allowances
to buy new sneakers. Lori thought they would give her their
old ones.
51
61
71
80
91
93
The old shoes would be turned into a new blacktop for school.
They could all play ball there. Lori wanted her brothers’ old
shoes! She didn’t want them to end up in some landfill!
What could she do?
105
116
127
131
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
10
30
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
50
70
90
TARGET
110
130
150
170
www.readinga-z.com
Level Q
Fluency Passage
A Gecko’s Tale
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 138
If a gecko could talk, it might tell you an amazing tale. What’s
the story? Why, it’s about a tail—a gecko’s tail.
13
A gecko is a kind of lizard. Geckos live in warm places such as
rain forests, deserts, grasslands, and marshes. Many people also keep
them as pets.
37
Geckos come in all sizes. Some kinds are only the length of your
fingernail, and others are longer than your foot.
63
Geckos hunt for food at night. They move quickly and silently,
so they can catch crickets and roaches. Sometimes they eat small birds
and mice.
82
23
47
50
71
94
96
A gecko has a short, thick tail. Its tail helps it survive. What
happens when another animal catches a gecko?
109
The gecko lets go of its tail and escapes! Later, it grows a new one.
Now that’s an amazing, but true, tale!
131
1
2
3
4
5
116
138
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
Level Q
Fluency Passage
Living in the Dark Zone
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 172
There are some creatures most people have never seen. These creatures
never see you, either. They live in the dark zone. The dark zone isn’t a place
in outer space. It’s the area deep within a cave.
11
27
37
This cool, dark zone is home to all sorts of animals. Sunlight never
reaches the dark zone. Many of these animals, such as the blind crayfish,
cannot see. Yet this is not a problem. Animals that live here use other senses
to stay alive.
50
Some dark zone animals have no eyes. The Texas blind salamander
is one example. The Texas blind salamander has two small black dots under
its skin where eyes would be found. It hunts in cave water for tiny snails
and shrimp.
92
How can it find food if it can’t see? It hunts for food in a special way.
A snail or shrimp makes small waves when it moves in the water. The
salamander can feel where the waves come from. Then it knows that dinner
is close by. Watch out, snail!
1
2
3
4
5
63
78
81
105
120
122
139
153
166
172
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
Q
LEVEL
Sharks
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 177
My Aquarium Visit
It was Saturday morning and my dad surprised me with a trip to the
aquarium. I got to see plankton through a microscope and dozens of
jellyfish glowing in the water. We saw lots of amazing animals, but we
saved the best for last. At the end of the day, Dad took me to see the
hammerhead sharks.
14
26
39
56
58
We looked down on the giant tank from above. I could make out
the strange shapes of the sharks’ heads as they swam back and forth.
I even saw a large dorsal fin sticking out of the water, just as in
cartoons and movies.
71
84
99
102
The best part was when we went in the tunnel under the tank.
The tunnel was clear, so we could see everything! I asked Dad why
the sharks were white on the bottom and dark on top. He told me that
it was their camouflage pattern. He also told me how their skeletons
were made out of cartilage instead of bones.
115
128
143
155
163
I hope we can save sharks from extinction. They really are wonders
of nature.
175
177
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
10
30
© Learning A–Z All rights reserved.
50
70
90
TARGET
110
130
150
170
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
R
Foods Around the World
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 183
Would You Try It?
1
Surprise!
Have you ever eaten at an exotic restaurant to discover a new flavor you’ve
never tried before? Have you ever eaten a delicacy or a chef’s specialty?
Eating new foods can surprise you.
15
28
34
New foods may seem strange at first. You may be afraid to try them, but it’s
likely you’ll discover something new and delicious if you keep trying. Have
you ever thought of dining on French escargots with garlic butter to begin
your meal, or Italian cannoli for dessert? Would you try beautiful Japanese
sushi made with different kinds of fish?
50
62
75
87
94
Foods from other countries have many different flavors. The food of each
region of a country may differ from that of other regions. Different ingredients
provide different flavors. You may not have heard of some of the ingredients a
person in another country uses.
106
119
133
138
You do not need to go to a different country to find new, incredible dishes
and recipes. Try making a recipe at home, or eating at a restaurant you don’t
normally visit. Give it a try. It just might be a fun thing to do!
153
168
183
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
0
20
40
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
60
80
100
TARGET
120
140
160
180
200
www.readinga-z.com
Level R
Fluency Passage
The Desert Monster
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 187
Casey woke up with a start. “What’s that noise?”
9
Jonica rubbed her eyes and sat up in the tent. “What noise?” she
asked. Then, she heard it, too. They grabbed a flashlight and climbed out
of the tent, careful not to wake their parents.
22
“The desert is home to all sorts of creatures,” said Casey. “I sure
hope we don’t find one.”
57
“You’re letting your imagination run wild,” Jonica replied, clinging
to Casey’s shirt. They crept along the path near the campsite. Whooo!
Casey aimed the flashlight at the sound.
71
35
44
62
83
90
“Look!” yelled Jonica. “It’s a monster with two huge arms! It has
gigantic eyes and a mouth!” The girls dashed back to the tent and hid
under the covers. When day broke, they cautiously climbed out of the
tent. “Maybe the monster’s gone,” said Jonica.
102
They walked along the path. Then Casey let out a loud laugh. The
girls stood before a huge saguaro cactus. Its branches looked like arms.
148
Three woodpecker holes formed two eyes and a mouth. Inside the
“mouth” was a tiny owl. “Look at our desert monster now!” said Casey
with a laugh.
171
1
2
3
4
5
116
128
135
160
184
187
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
Level R
Fluency Passage
The Liberty Bell
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 125
To many Americans, the Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. The
bell was built in England. After arriving in America, it was hung in a
special place. Soon after its arrival, though, the bell cracked! American
workers fixed it. For more than 100 years, it rang out to announce news
or celebrate special events.
12
In the late 1800s, people began taking the Liberty Bell around the
country. The bell helped people remember the freedoms others had
worked for and fought to gain. Then, in 1915, the bell returned home.
67
26
37
51
55
77
90
Today, the bell is part of a museum. There, people learn how
pilgrims in the colonies shaped our government. The Liberty Bell
no longer is rung, but it continues to stand for an important idea.
1
2
3
4
5
102
112
125
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
LEVEL
S
Monkey Business
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 173
Monkeying Around
Have you ever watched monkeys at the zoo? We are fascinated by
the way monkeys act. We laugh at how we act like them when we get
caught monkeying around. It is funny to see just how much alike we and
these primates are.
12
27
41
44
Humans are primates too! That means that we both belong to the same
group of animals. We have four fingers and an opposable thumb. This means
that the thumb sits across from and bends toward the fingers. Our fingers
and thumbs can move independently or all together. This makes doing daily
activities easier than if we had paws like a cat or dog.
57
70
83
95
107
One thing we don’t have in common is a tail. Some monkeys have a
prehensile tail. They can use it almost like another hand to hold on to objects
like tree limbs. That is how they move from tree to tree.
121
136
148
The monkey can exhibit many human mannerisms and actions. It is
no wonder humans have so much fun watching, playing, and training our
little friends.
159
171
173
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
0
20
40
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
60
80
100
TARGET
120
140
160
180
200
www.readinga-z.com
LEVEL
S
The International T-Shirt Challenge
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 303
The Weblog Project
Here I am back at the computer again. It’s a phenomenal day, but I’m stuck inside
doing some typing. Still, I’m feeling much better about things than I was a few days
ago. Back then, time was running out and my spirit was running low.
16
32
45
Our class had been placed into groups for a math project. Each group had to turn
in a paper by the end of the week. All papers were in by Wednesday, except ours.
61
78
It’s not as if we didn’t know what to do. We had a fine idea for a paper, in fact. We
wanted to report on currency rates around the world. Each of us had already picked
a country and done our research. The problem was that none of us could find a time
after school to get together. How could we write a group paper without meeting
as a group?
99
114
131
145
148
Finally, we came up with a strategy. Karen set up a weblog for us. Now we
could each write our part of the paper on our own time Thursday night. We could
make comments about each other’s work, too. One by one, we logged into the
Internet. We wrote all the currency facts for our country. Then Karen cut and
pasted each section into one document. We had ourselves a math paper!
164
180
194
208
220
Of course, we still needed to make edits. But there was plenty of time to fine-tune
the paper the next day at lunch. Karen handed us each a copy. We revised it as a group
and drew straws to see who would type the final copy.
236
255
266
Can you guess who drew the shortest straw? If you guessed me, you guessed right.
But if you think I mind a little extra typing, you’re wrong. I’m just glad we got our
assignment finished on time!
281
299
303
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
0
20
40
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
60
80
100
TARGET
120
140
160
180
200
www.readinga-z.com
Level S
Fluency Passage
Wild Things in the Park
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 167
Are you a nature lover? Spring and summer are perfect seasons
to sign up for a city park nature walk. Pack up a hand lens and a camera.
You might want to take along a notebook, too.
11
28
37
The nature tour leader speaks to your group. “Don’t chase the wild
things. Let them come to you.” You jot down what she says along with
several new facts.
49
As you walk along the dirt path that winds through the park,
the leader points out many of the park’s occupants. Look! It’s a robin—
the first sign of spring. You notice an endangered falcon resting in the
treetops, and you snap a picture. Bees buzz around wildflowers in full
bloom. A lizard basks on a large rock.
78
63
66
91
104
116
124
There are all sorts of interesting plants, but don’t touch that one!
It has three leaves. Suddenly you remember something you wrote down
earlier. “Leaves of three, let them be.” Oh no, poison ivy! That’s one wild
thing you don’t want to encounter.
1
2
3
4
5
136
147
161
167
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
Level T
Fluency Passage
A Visit to the Big Apple
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 199
New York City is an exciting city. It has many sites to see and
places to visit. If you tour the city, start with the Empire State Building.
This historic skyscraper is open to the public every day of the year. Go
all the way to the top. On a clear day, you can see four other states.
14
Next, visit another tourist attraction, Ellis Island. This is the place
where many immigrants first entered the United States. Its museum
has many tapes and photos. They tell the history of the place and the
people who passed through there. The Statue of Liberty stands proudly
and tall nearby in New York Harbor. The statue is more than 300 feet
from the ground to the tip of the torch and is perhaps the most visited
site in New York City.
69
28
42
58
79
93
104
118
133
138
You also may want to visit some of New York’s museums. If you
enjoy art, don’t miss the Museum of Modern Art. It has many famous
paintings and sculptures to view.
151
Finally, make sure you stop by Central Park. It covers almost a
thousand acres. It has baseball fields, an ice-skating rink, horse carriage
rides, playgrounds, and even a small zoo.
181
1
2
3
4
5
164
169
192
199
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
LEVEL
T
Severe Weather
Fluency Passage
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 186
Jeremy Makes It Rain
Jeremy worked on his science project. The focus was Earth’s atmosphere.
11
“What’re you doing?” asked his little brother, Jim.
19
“I’m making rain,” Jeremy explained. “You can help.”
27
Jeremy got an old aquarium.
32
“When the Sun heats water, it becomes invisible vapor and rises up and becomes
clouds. It’s as if it gets absorbed into the air. When vapor cools, it gets heavy and falls.
That is called precipitation. We’ll put an inch of water into the bottom of the tank for
our ocean.”
46
64
81
83
Next they covered the top with a piece of plastic wrap. Then they put the aquarium
in a sunny spot in the yard. “Now we have to wait for the temperature to rise,” he
explained.
99
117
118
They waited. Soon steam formed on the glass walls. Drops of water slid down in
some places.
133
135
“Hey!” Jim yelled. “It IS raining! Look, Jeremy!”
143
Sure enough, drops were forming on the bottom of the plastic and dripped into the
“little ocean” below. Suddenly, Jim slapped the side of the tank.
158
169
“What’d you do THAT for?” huffed Jeremy.
176
“YOU made it rain. I made it thunder!” Jim laughed.
186
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
10
30
50
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
70
90
110
TARGET
130
150
170
190
210
www.readinga-z.com
Level T
Fluency Passage
Stress
Name ___________________________________
Word Count: 165
You’re about to give a report in front of the class. Your heart
is pounding, your throat is dry, and your stomach feels tight. What’s
happening inside your body? You’re feeling stress, which is your
body’s response to changes around you. You can feel stress from one
event, such as a math test, or a combination of events.
13
Stress can be positive or negative. Positive stress allows you to
escape danger or complete a task. Negative stress holds you back and
can be unhealthy. Your body responds to stress in many ways.
69
25
35
47
58
81
92
For example, your senses become more alert. Your heart beats
faster, sending more blood to your brain and muscles. Your muscles
become ready for action, and your breathing becomes faster. Your body
is preparing itself for “fight or flight.” But you need to know when
stress is working against you. Relax with a walk, practice controlled
breathing, or talk to a friend. Watch a funny movie. Laughter can be
a powerful stress reliever.
1
2
3
4
5
102
113
124
137
148
161
165
6
Number of Errors
Accuracy (%):
Reading Rate (Words Per Minute):
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
Resources
The activities and passages included in this
packet were borrowed from the following
sources:
The Florida Center for Reading Research
http://www.fcrr.org
Reading A-Z
http://www.readinga-z.com
Teachers Pay Teachers
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com
Thank you!
!