Benchmark 3

Oral Reading Fluency Student Materials

Level 3 | Progress Monitoring

Roland H. Good III Ruth A. Kaminski

with

Kelli D. Cummings, Chantal Dufour-Martel, Kathleen Petersen, Kelly A. Powell-Smith, Stephanie Stollar, and Joshua Wallin

Acadience Learning Inc.

For use with remote testing

© 2011 Acadience Learning Inc. All Rights Reserved. Acadience is a registered trademark of Acadience Learning Inc. Revised 7/20/20.

Progress Monitoring

reading k–6

Acadience® Reading Progress Monitoring Assessment Page 1

Benchmark 3

Oral Reading Fluency L3/Progress Monitoring 1

A New Ball Game

Onthefirstdayofschool,Roy’steacheraskedhimtowritealetterabouthimself.RoywasgladtohavethechancetotalkabouthislifeinAfrica.RoyhadbeenbornintheUnitedStates,buthisfamilyhadlivedinasmalltowninAfricaforthreeyears.NowhisfamilyhadmovedbacktotheUnitedStates. Roy’sstepmomwasadoctor.Sheworkedinaclinic,whereshetreatedsickpeopleandgaveimmunizations.HisdadtaughtmusicattheschoolRoyandhisbrotherattended.Royandhisfriendsplayedsportstogetherandpracticedplayingtheinstrumentshisdadtaughtthem.Footballwashisfavoritesportandtherealwaysseemedtobeagamegoingafterschool. Inhisletter,Roywroteabouthislifeandthathemissedplayingfootballthemost.HehadseenAmericanfootballanditwasaverydifferentgame.Itwashardtofigureoutwhytheywerechasingeachotherandwhentocheer. Hehandedthelettertohisteacherthenextmorning.Thatafternoonashewasleaving,histeachercalledhimover.Anotherboywasstandingnexttoher.“Roy,thisisSpencer,”histeachersaid.“He’sgoingtointroduceyoutothesoccerteam.Ithinkyou’llenjoyit.” SpencersmiledatRoyandledhimoutsidetothefield,whereagroupofkidswereplaying.“TheteachersaidyoucallthisfootballinAfrica,buthereit’scalledsoccer,”saidSpencer.Roylookedaround.ThekidswereplayingthesamegamehehadplayedbackinAfrica!Hecouldn’twaittojointhem.

Acadience® Reading Progress Monitoring Assessment Page 2

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Swimming the Channel

Inthesportofswimming,peoplehavesetmanytypesofrecords.Somerecordsareforspeedordistance.Otherrecordsareforswimmingacrossdifficultwaters.TheEnglishChannelswimisoneofthese.Manypeoplehavedreamedaboutswimmingacrossthisstretchofwater,butveryfewhavedoneit.LynneCoxisoneofthefew. TheEnglishChannelisbetweentheFrenchandEnglishcoasts.Atitsshortestpoint,thedistanceacrossitistwenty-twomiles,butthewaterissocoldandthecurrentssostrongthatonlytenpercentofthosewhohavetriedtheswimhavemadeitacross.ThefirstswimmertodosowasamannamedMatthewWebb.Hemadetheswimin1875,andittookhimmorethantwentyhours. LynneCoxfirstswamacrosstheChannelin1972.ShehadstartedswimmingattheageofthreeinMaine,butitwasn’tuntilherfamilymovedtoCaliforniathatLynnediscoveredherloveofswimminginopenwater.ItwasthenthatLynneknewshewantedtoswimtheChannel.Atagefifteen,Lynnewastheyoungestpersonevertoattempttheswim.Shemadeitacrossinlessthantenhours,whichatthattimewasfasterthananyothermanorwomanhadeverdoneit.Thisfirstswimcoveredastretchoftwenty-sevenmiles.Thenextyear,Lynnereturnedandbrokeherownrecord.Sheswamathirty-threemilestretchoftheChannelinninehoursandthirty-sixminutes.

Acadience® Reading Progress Monitoring Assessment Page 3

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Rooftop Gardens

Whatdoyouthinkofwhenyouheartheword“garden”?Maybeyouhaveplantedagardenathome.Manyschoolsalsohavegardensthatstudentscanworkin.Mostpeoplethinkaboutgardensbeingplantedintheground,buttherearemanyotherplacestoplantgardens.Onegoodplaceforagardenisontheroof! Arooftopgarden,ora“greenroof,”canbeplantedontopofasmallhouseoronagiantskyscraper.Almostanytypeofroofcanhavesometypeofgardenorgreenspace.Evensteeproofscanhaveapatchofgrassforwildflowers. Youmightask,“Whyputagardenontheroof?”Roofgardensdomorethanaddspotsofbeautytoourrooftops.Theyareagoodwaytohelptheenvironmentinareasthatarecoveredwithconcretesidewalksandpavedstreets. Greenroofsalsoprovideinsulation.Theykeepbuildingscoolerinthesummerandwarmerinthewinter.Thissavesenergyandreducestheamountoffuelweuse.Rooftopgardensalsohelpstoppollution.Thegardenssoakuprainwaterthatwouldotherwiserunoffontodirtystreetsandroads.Lessdirtywaterisabletopolluteourriversandstreams. Anothergreatthingaboutrooftopgardensisthattheyofferanaturalplaceforbirdstonestandlive.Birdsthatnormallywouldnotbeabletofindfoodorasafeplacetonestincitiescanlivehappilyinrooftopgardens. Asyoucansee,rooftopgardenscanbeagoodadditiontoanybuilding.So,thenexttimeyouthinkaboutagarden,don’tjustlookdownattheground.Lookupattherooftops!

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Learning to Skateboard

Thelastboxwasfinallyunpackedatthenewhouse.Zachhadbeenexcitedaboutmovingtothecityandaboutmakingnewfriends.Heknewhehadseveralweekstoexploretheneighborhoodbeforeschoolstarted,andherealizedthatwasplentyoftimetolearnhiswayaround.Heaskedhismomifhecouldwalktothenearbypark. Fromtheroad,theparklookedlikeagiantgreenexpanse.Now,hesawthatitwasdividedintodifferentsections.Thefirstthingthatcaughthiseyewastheskatepark.Hesprintedtothegateandstoodlookinginattherampsandrails.Hehadaskateboardbuthadneverlearnedtorideit.Theroadsnearhisoldhousehadbeentoorocky. Justthen,twoboyszoomeduponskateboardsandsaidhello.Theyaskedhimifheskateboarded.Hetoldthemthathehadaboardbuthadneverhadaplacetolearn.“Well,nowyoudo,”theysaid,andtheyofferedtoteachhim.TheirnameswereMattandPablo,andtheywenttothesameschoolhewasgoingtoattend.Zachhappilyagreedtomeetthemforalesson. Thefollowingafternoon,Zachwenttofindtheboys.Afterputtingonhelmetsandpads,Mattshowedhimhowtostandontheboardabovetheaxle.Pablohelpedhimpracticepushingoff,whichisthemovementneededtogettheboardrolling.Theyalsoexplainedcarvingandstopping.Zachpracticedandalsowatchedtheotherguysperformsomeadvancedmovestheyhadmastered.Afterthankinghisnewfriends,hepromisedtocomebackeveryday.Bythetimeschoolstarted,hehadlearnedtoskateboardandhadmadetwogoodfriends.

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Glassmaking

Themorningsuncameinthewindow,sendingarainbowofcolordancingaroundtheroom.JaydensatinGran’skitchengazingattheglassvasesthatsatonshelvesinfrontofthewindow.Hergrandmotherhadcollectedthemfromallovertheworld.Jaydenlovedthateachpiecewasdifferent.Eachtimeshevisited,shesawsomenewdetailthatshehadmissedbefore. Jaydenaskedhergrandmotherhowtheglasswasmade.Granstartedexplaining,butthenshestopped.“Iknow,”shesaid.“Let’svisitmyfriendMary’sstudioandyoucanseeforyourself.” Attheglassstudio,Maryshowedthemhowglasswasblown.Sheexplainedthatsandandotheringredientsaremixedtogetherandputintoaveryhotfurnacetoformmoltenglass.TheywatchedasMarydippedthetipofherblowpipeintothefurnaceandscoopedsomeglassontotheend.Carefully,sherolledthehotglassbackandforthonasteeltable,forminganeatball.Thensheblewintothepipetoformanairbubbleinsidetheglass.Shesaidthatastheglasscooled,ithadtobereheatedtokeepitsoftenoughtoworkwith.JaydenwatchedcloselyasMaryplacedthepipebackintothefurnace. Whiletheglassheated,Marysprinkledsomeblueandgreencoloredbitsacrossthetable.Then,sherolledthereheatedpieceacrossthebits.Onceagain,shereturnedittothefurnace.Thistime,whensheremovedit,themeltedcolorswirledinside.Jaydenthoughtitwasverybeautiful.Finally,Maryshapedtheformwithwoodenblocksandothertoolsbeforeplacingitinacoolingoven. Jaydenhadlearnedsomuch.ShethoughtaboutGran’scollection.Itwasnowmorespecialthanever.

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Space Camp

Itwasthesummerafterthirdgrade,andKelseywasexcited.Eversinceshewaslittle,Kelseywantedtobeanastronaut.Thissummer,shewasoldenoughtogotospacecamp.Forsixdaysshewouldgettoexperiencethelifeofanastronaut. Kelseywouldbestayingatthespacecenterwiththeothercampers,soherfatherdroppedherofftheeveningbeforecampbegan.Shewassoexcitedforthenextdaythatshehadahardtimesleeping.Thenextmorningwouldbeginherspaceadventure. Thefirstthingthecampersdidthatmorningwasputonspacesuits.Thentheywentintoamachinethatwaslikeapretendrocketlaunch.Themachinewascalledasimulator.Thecampersspentthemorningpracticingrocketlaunchesandlandingsinthesimulator.Itfeltliketheywereonarealrocket. Afterlunch,itwastimetodivideintogroups.Kelseychosethespaceandaviationgroupbecauseshewantedtobeapilot.Shejoinedothercamperswhowereinterestedinlearninghowtofly.Thecamperslearnedabouttheprinciplesofflight,andtheyevenspenttimeinajetsimulator. KelseyspenttherestofthedaysatcampvisitingthespacemuseumandclimbingtherockwallthatresembledMars’surface.Allofthecampershadachancetobuildtheirownrockets.Attheendofthesixdays,thecamperslaunchedtheirmodelrocketsoutdoors.Kelseyfeltproudasherrocketsoaredhighinthesky.Asshewatchedherrocket,shethoughtaboutherweekatcamp.Spacecampwassomuchfun,shecouldn’twaittoseehowmuchfunshewouldhaveasarealastronaut.

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A Woodland Path

Thesunwasup,anditwasgoingtobeanotherprettyday.Carriewasreadyfortheday’shike.Sheandherfamilyhadrecentlymovedtoasmallranch.Theirlandwasrightnexttoanaturepreserve.Everyday,CarrieandherteenagebrotherJacksonexploredanewpartofthepreserve. Duringthesummer,CarrieandJacksonhadthewholedaytoexplore.Mommadethemalunch.Thentheyheadedoutwiththeircellphones,whichtheyusedtokeepintouchwiththeirparents.Theycarriedbackpacksthatheldtheirlunchesandnotebooks.CarrieandJacksonlikedtomakedrawingsandwriteaboutthingstheysaw. Carrieandherbrotherhadalreadyhikedmanyofthetrailsinthepreserveandwerehopingtofindanew,specialplace.Afterwalkingalittlewayupthemainpath,theystoppedtodiscusswhichwaytogo.ItwasthenthatCarriesawasmall,overgrownpathleadingofftotheright.Shewonderedhowtheyhadmisseditontheirearlierhikes.Theywerebothexcitedatthechancetofindanewpartofthepreserve.Thepathwasverynarrowandbushy,buttheyweredeterminedtofollowittoitsend.Finally,afterhikingforoveranhour,theycameuponaclearing.Intheclearingwasthemostbeautifulwaterfalltheyhadeverseen.CarrieandJacksonknewthattheyhadfoundaspecialplace. Carrieandherbrothersatdownbytheedgeofthewaterandtookofftheirshoes.Astheyatetheirlunch,theydangledtheirfeetinthewater.Theywerealreadymakingplanstoshowthisspecialplacetotheirparents.

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How Ryan Made a Difference

OnedayaboynamedRyanaskedhisparentsforseventydollars.HisteacherhadexplainedthatseventydollarswassufficienttobuildawellinapoorAfricancountry.ManychildreninAfricaweregettingsickbecausetheylackedcleanwatertodrink.AlthoughRyanwasonlyinfirstgrade,hewasdeterminedtohelpthem. Ryan’sparentsagreedtolethimdoextrachorestoearnthemoney.Theywouldpayhimonedollarperhour.Hewashedwindows,pickedupyarddebris,anddidotherchores.Inthreemonths,Ryanhadearnedtheseventydollars. WhenRyangavethemoneytothepeoplewhobuildthewells,theyweregrateful.Theyexplainedthatthemoneywouldbuyapumptopullwaterfromundertheground.However,itwouldtakealotmoremoneytodrillthewellbeforethepumpcouldbeused.Drillingthewellwouldcosttwothousanddollars!Ryandecidedtodochoresuntilhecouldpayfordrillingthewell,too. WhenthepeopleinRyan’stownheardwhathewasdoing,theyhelpedhimraisemoremoney.Inafewmonths,Ryanhadenoughmoneytopayforthewell. ThewellwasbuiltnearavillageschoolinUganda.Afterthewellwasbuilt,thevillagerssentRyanlettersandapictureofthewell.Theyhaderectedasignthatsaid“Ryan’sWell.”Theywouldalwaysremembertheyoungpersonwhohadhelpedthem.Ryancorrespondedwiththechildrenwhowenttotheschool.Soontheybecamefriends.Ryanwashappytothinkthathisfriendswouldhavecleanwatertodrink.

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How Ryan Made a Difference, continued

Ryanhascontinuedhiswork.HehashelpedtoconstructwellsinmanyAfricancountries.Hebelieveseachindividualreallycanmakeadifference.

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Rachel’s Box

Thecatwasmakingamaddashtogetawayfromthenewpuppy.Shewastryingtogettoherspotonthewindowledgeoutofthepuppy’sreach.ItwasthenthatthecatknockedoverthebeautifulwoodenboxthatGrandmotherhadgiventoRachelonhermostrecentvisit.StevenandRachelcouldseewhatwasgoingtohappen,butneitheronewasabletogetacrosstheroomquicklyenoughtopreventitfromhappening. StevenputthepuppyoutsidewhileRachellookedtoseehowbadlytheboxwasdamaged.Whenhereturned,hissisterwasstillstaringatthebox.“Don’tworry,”Stevensaid,“It’snotthatserious.IthinkIcanfixitforyou.”Rachelsmiledhappily.Herbigbrotherwasalwaysthereforherwhensheneededhelp. Theytooktheboxtothekitchenforacloserlook.Thehingeneededtobescrewedbackonandseveraloftheinlaidstoneswouldhavetobegluedbackinplace.Allinall,Steventhoughttheyhadbeenverylucky.Theboxwasmorethantwohundredyearsold,andithadfallenonthehardfloor.Ithadbeenaweddingpresenttotheirgrandmother’sgreatgrandmother.Formanyyearsithadbeenpasseddownthroughthefamilytotheoldestgranddaughter. Thebrotherandsisterworkedtogether,andsoontheboxwasasgoodasnew.Rachelputtheboxinherglasscabinet.Shedidn’twantthecattogetanywherenearitagain.BecauseofSteven’shelp,sheknewshewouldnowbeabletokeeptheboxsafetogivetoherowngranddaughtersomeday.Rachelfeltthankfultohavesuchawonderfulbrother.

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The Pinecone Feast

Snowhadcoveredthegroundforafullmonthnow.Somehow,itseemedcolderthaninyearspast.Oscarhadn’tseenmanybirdsatall.Helookedoutofthewindowandwonderedhowallthebirdsstayedwarmandwhattheyateduringthesecoldfrostymonths.HisgrandfatherlookedupfromthebookhewasreadingandaskedwhatOscarwassoconcernedabout. Oscartoldhimhewasworriedaboutthebirdsinthecold.Grandfathertoldhimthatmanybirdsflewsouthforthewinterbutthatthebirdsthatstayedprobablydidneedfood.Then,Grandfathersmiledandsaid,“Iusedtomakepineconefeastsforthebirdsduringthewinter.Wouldyoulikemetoshowyouhow?”Oscarnoddedanexcitedyes. OscarfollowedGrandfatherouttotheshedtoretrievesomepineconestheyhadgatheredinthefall.Atthekitchentable,theycarefullytiedstringaroundthetopofeachone.Next,Grandfathergotoutajarofpeanutbutterandtwospoons.HetoldOscartocovereachpineconewithpeanutbutter.Then,Grandfatherpouredsomebirdseedontoaplate.Headdedsunflowerseedsanddriedfruittothemixtogivethebirdsextraenergy.Finally,thetworolledthecoatedpineconesthroughthebirdseeduntiltheywerecompletelycoveredwithseeds. OscarandGrandfatherdressedwarmlyandwentouttosetupthebirdfeast.Theycarefullytiedeachpineconeontothebarebranchesofthebigtreeoutsidethekitchenwindow.Afteraquicksnowballfight,theywentinsidetogetwarmandwaitforthebirdstofindthefeast.Bylunchtime,OscarandGrandfatherhadtheirreward.Theylookedoutthewindow.Therewasagroupofbirdshappilymunchingontheseeds.

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Save the Turtles!

Formillionsofyears,seaturtleshavelivedinouroceans.Itisamazing,whenyouthinkaboutit.TheywereherewhenthedinosaurswalkedtheEarth!Now,theirfutureisatrisk.Thegoodnewsisthateffortsarebeingmadetokeepallseaturtlessafe. Ofthesevenspeciesofseaturtles,thelargestistheleatherback.Thisturtlecangrowtooversixfeetlong.Theyarecalledleatherbacksbecausetheyhaveasofter,moreflexibleshellthanotherturtles.Theylivemainlyintheopenocean,wheretheyfeedonjellyfish.Becausetheycankeeptheirbodytemperaturewarmerthanthatofthewater,theyareabletoswimincolderpartsoftheocean.Othertypesofseaturtlesarenotabletodothis.Leatherbacksswimthousandsofmilesayearlookingforfood.Everytwoorthreeyears,thefemaleswalkontothebeachtomakeanestandlaytheireggs. Eachyear,therearefewernestingleatherbackstobeseen.Thisisbecauseofthegrowingdangerstheyface.Atsea,thisgiantturtleoftengetscaughtinfishingnets.Onland,animalsandpeopledisturbtheirnests.Theturtlesalsomistakeplasticbagsandotherkindsoftrashforjellyfish.Thesebagscanbeveryharmfultotheturtlesiftheytrytoeatthem. Lawsarebeingpassedtoprotecttheturtles,andpeoplearebecomingbetterawareoftherisks.Manycountriesnowhavebeachpatrolstoguardthenests,andtherearenewwaystotrackwheretheturtlesgo.Also,morepeoplerecyclenow.Thismeansthatpeoplethrowawayfewerplasticbags.Ifweallworktogether,wecansavetheturtles!

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Planting a Butterfly Garden

Oneofthemostbeautifulinsectsonearthisthebutterfly.Therearethousandsofdifferentkindsofbutterfliesandtheyliveinallpartsoftheworld.Insomeplaces,though,butterflieshavetroublefindingtheplantstheyneedtosurvive.Plantingabutterflygardenisagreatwaytohelp.Youcanbothprotectandenjoythebutterfliesinyourarea. Manyparksandpublicgardenshavewholefieldsplantedtoattractbutterflies,butabutterflygardendoesnothavetobelarge.Itcanbeasmallbedinyouryardorevenawindowbox.Toplanthistypeofgarden,firstfindoutwhattypeofbutterfliesarenativetowhereyoulive.Then,findoutwhattypeofplantstheylike.Trylookingatthelibraryoratyourlocalgardencenter. Afterresearchinglocalbutterflies,pickaspotforyourgarden.Next,decidehowlargeitwillbe.Itcanalsobehelpfultomapoutaplanforthegarden.Butterflieslikesunshine,sopickasunnyspot.Thegardenshouldalsohavesomeprotectionfromthewind. Ifyouareplantingyourgardeninthegroundorinaraisedbed,youwillneedtopreparethesoilbeforeputtinginplants.Turnthesoiltoloosenitup,makingsuretobreakupanylargeclumps.Youcanaddinsomegardeningdirtwhileyoudothis.Nowitistimetoplant.Butterflygardensneedhostplantsforbutterfliestolayeggsonandforcaterpillarstoeat.Theyalsoneedplantsthatprovidenectartofeedthebutterflies. Withalittletimeandcare,youcanenjoybothcolorfulflowersandbutterflies!

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Lan’s First Day

ItwasLan’sfirstdayinhernewschoolintheUnitedStates.ShehadleftChinajustoneweekearlier,sotheEnglishwordsherclassmatesspokesoundedstrangetoher. Theteacherexplainedsomethingandthenpassedoutpapers.Landidn’tunderstandwhatwasonthepapersandfeltconfused.Shecouldtellthatherclassmateswereexcitedaboutwhattheywerereading.Fromtheirexpressions,sheguesseditwasastory. SomeofLan’sclassmatesgatheredatthefrontoftheroom.Theytalkedinfunnyvoicesandmadeinterestingexpressionswiththeirfaces.Slowly,Lanrealizedthatthestudentswereactingoutaplay.Lanwatchedcloselyasagirlinaredcapeskippedalongandthenstoppedtohaveaconversationwithatallboy.Theboysmiledinasneakywayandgrowledlikeawolf.“Thatvillainisuptonogood,”thoughtLan. Intheend,thetallboypretendedtobeanoldwomaninbed.Whenthegirlinthecapeapproachedhim,theboysprangoutofbedandchasedher.Thegirloutsmartedthewolfandescaped.Rightthen,Lanrecognizedthestory.Itwassimilartoatalehermothertoldheraboutawolfwhotrickedchildrenbypretendingtobeagrandmother.Lanraisedherhand.“LonPoPo!”shesaidexcitedly. EveryonelookedatLaninsurprise.“That’sright,Lan,”saidtheteacher.“ThistaleissimilartotheChinesestoryofLonPoPo.It’scalledLittleRedRidingHood.” Lanrepeatedthewordsslowly,“LittleRedRidingHood.”Everyonesmiledwhentheyheardhowwellshespoke.Lansmiledshylybackandthought,“Thisschoolisgoingtobefun!”

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Kayla’s Special Owl

Thewildlifecenterwasonlyafewblocksaway.Kaylaandherfamilywalkedtherealmosteveryday.Shehadbeenvisitingthecentersinceshewastwoyearsold.Kaylalovedlookingattheanimalsandhikingthesurroundingtrails.WhatKaylalikedtheverybestofall,though,werethebirds.Thissummer,shewasfinallyoldenoughtovolunteerinthecenter’sbirdrescuearea.Shecouldn’twaittostart. Everyweekpeoplebroughtwoundedorabandonedbirdstothecenter.Theywerecaredforandthenreleasedbackintothewild.Aftertraining,Kaylawasreadyforwork.Shehelpedcleancagesandmixedupspecialfood.Soon,shewasabletoworkwiththe“babies.”Shefedthesetinybirdsbyhandusingasmallpaintbrush.Shewoulddipthebrushintowaterorthefoodmixandthengentlyputherhandoverthebirdanddropasmallamountintoitsgapingmouth.Babybirdsneedtobefedeverytwentyminutes,sothiswassomethingthevolunteerstookturnsdoingalldaylong. OfallthebirdsKaylahelped,herfavoritewasasmallscreechowl.Shehadbeenthefirstonetofeedthetinycreature,andthetwohadformedaspecialbond.Itneededconstantattention.Kaylawatchedtheowlgetstrongereverydayasshecaredforit.Soon,itcouldeatonitsownandwasmovedfromtheinsidecareroomtoanoutsidecageforbirdsthatwouldsoonbereleased.Thetimecametoletthelittleowlgo.Kaylawasn’tsad,though,becauseshesomehowknewshewouldseeherowlagain.Thatnight,sheheardahootingsoundinthetreejustoutsideherwindow.Herspecialowlwassafeandnear.

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Amazing Dolphins

Canyoujumpashighasahouse?Couldyouwinaracewithashark?Couldyoufindaquarterontheplaygroundwithyoureyesclosed?Youcoulddoallthesethingsifyouwereadolphin! Adolphinhasaverystrongtailthathelpsitjumphighintheair.Adolphin’stailmusclesaremuchstrongerthanthemusclesofothermammals.Adolphinpumpsitstailupanddowntopropelitselfthroughthewater.Adolphincanswimsofastthatoneflickofitstailsendsthedolphinsailingintotheair.Jumpingoutofthewaterisonewaythedolphingetsairwhileswimming. Dolphinsdonotalwaysswimattopspeed,buttheyarealwaysreadytogofastifanenemycomesnear.Dolphinsoftenswimtogetherinagroup.Theywarneachotheriftheyseeashark.Whenescapingashark,dolphinscanswimasfastassomespeedboats! Oneofthemostinterestingthingsaboutadolphin’sbodyisthewayitfindsthings.Adolphinmakesclickingsoundsthatbounceoffobjectsinthesea.Whentheclickingsoundsbounce,theymakeechoesthatthedolphincanhear.Thesoundoftheechoestellsthedolphinwherethingsare.Usingclicksandechoes,adolphincouldfindaquarterthatwasahalfablockaway!Theclicksandechoesareimportantbecausetheyhelpthedolphinfindfood.Thesoundsalsohelpdolphinsstayawayfromenemies. Whenyouseeadolphinjumping,swimming,andmakingnoisesyou’llknowitisnotjustplaying.Itisalsousingitsamazingbodytostaysafeandhealthy!

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Strawberry Festival Day

Atthestrawberryfestival,Tessastoodbetweenherstepmomandherdad.Theparadewasstarting.Lookingdownthestreet,Tessawasstartledbyoneofthefloats.“That’sthebiggestcakeI’veeverseen!”sheexclaimed. “Iknow,”herstepmomanswered.“I’vebeencomingtothisstrawberryfestivalsinceIwasyourage.Everyyear,peopleusetheberriestheygrowhere.Theyworktogethertomakeahugestrawberryshortcake.It’salwaysthefirstthingintheparade.Thebestpartcomesaftertheparade.That’swheneveryoneatthefestivalgetstoeatit!” Whentheparadewasover,Tessaandherparentsmadetheirwaytothelineforapieceofthegiantstrawberryshortcake.Tessa’smouthwateredasshewonderedwhatthecakewouldtastelike.Tessa’sstepmomstoodinlineandgotthemeachahelpingofthecake.“Thisisdelicious,”Tessasaidassheateit. Aftertheyfinishedthecake,theywalkedaroundforalongtime.Theystoppedandlistenedtoabandinthepark,andthenrodeafewrides.Asthesunbegantoset,Tessagotherfacepainted.Shesmiledasshelookedinthemirroratthebrightredstrawberryonhercheek. Tessatookherdad’shand,andwithherotherhand,shereachedforherstepmom.TheybothheldTessa’shandstightlyandsmiledather.Theylookedupatthefireworksthatlitthedarksky.Itwasabeautifulendingtoagreatday.

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A Poetry Contest

Theclasslistenedpolitelyasthevisitingauthorreadsomeofherpoems.Afterthepoetleft,theirteacher,Mrs.North,toldthemtogetouttheirwritingnotebooks.Mrs.Northwantedeachofthemtotrywritingapoem.Everyonestartedscribblingaway.Everyone,thatis,butBrenden.Hejuststaredattheblankpagebeforehim,wonderingwhattowrite.Then,thebellrang.Mrs.Northtoldthemtofinishtheirpoemsforhomework. AsBrendenwalkedhomefromschool,anideahithim.Hewouldwriteapoemaboutbaseball!Helovedbaseball.Athome,hesatdownathisdeskandstartedwriting.Brenden’spencouldbarelykeepupwiththewordstumblingoutofhishead.Hewasevenabletomakehiswordsrhyme,whichtheguestpoethadsaidcouldbedifficult.Thenextday,Brendenturnedinhispoem.Hehopedhisteacherwouldlikeit. Afewweekslater,Mrs.NorthcalledBrendentoherdesk.Shetoldhimthatalocalbookstorehadaskedteacherstoenterpoems,writtenbytheirstudents,inthestore’syearlypoetrycontest.Brenden’spoemhadbeenselected.Mrs.Northtoldhimwhatagreathonorthiswas.Hispoemwouldbepublishedinabookalongwiththeotherselectedentries.Also,eachpoetwastoreadhisorherpoemthatSaturdayatthebookstore. WhenSaturdaycame,Brendenwentwithhisfamilytothebookstore.Finally,itwashisturntoread.Everyoneclappedafterheread.Whenallthepoemswererecited,thestore’smanagergaveoutprizes.Brendenhadwonagiftcardforhavingthebestpoeminhisagegroup.Hethoughtthatnowhemightlikepoetryasmuchashelikedbaseball!

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Oral Reading Fluency L3/Progress Monitoring 18

Keeping the Planet Clean

Nomatterwhereyouareintheworld,youcanalwaysdoyourbesttokeeptheplanetclean.Throwingawaytrashproperlyisonewaytodothis.Recyclingisanotherway. Peoplecanlitterwithoutevenknowingtheyaredoingit.Sometimes,driversputtrashinroadsidebinsthatareoverlyfull.Beforethebingetsemptied,thetrashcanspillout.Itisthencarriedalloverbythewindtoanotherplace.Whoknowswhereitmightendup?Almosttwentypercentofourlitterendsupinriversandoceans.Thisaffectsourdrinkingwateraswellasfishandotherwildlife.Ifyouaresomeplaceandyouarenotsurethatthetrashwillbepickedup,waittothrowitawayinaplacewhereyouknowitwillnotbecomelitter. Evenwhenitisthrownawayproperly,trashisbadfortheEarth.Anotherwaytodealwithtrashistomakelessofit.Thisiswhererecyclingcanhelp.Youcanaskfamilyandfriendstobuythingswithpackagingthatcanberecycledorreused.Youcanalsotrytoavoidpaperplatesandcupsandinsteadusewashabledishesthatyoucanuseagain.Usingreusablegrocerysackscutsdownonthenumberofplasticbagsweuseandthrowaway. Sometimesyouwillneedtousethingsyoucan’trecycleorreuse.Themostimportantthingistotrytouselessofthistypeofitem.Doingyourparttohelpkeepourplanetcleanhelpsusall.

Acadience® Reading Progress Monitoring Assessment Page 20

Benchmark 3

Oral Reading Fluency L3/Progress Monitoring 19

How Worms Help Gardens

Ifyouwanttohaveabeautifulgarden,youshouldstartwithgooddirt.Gardensoilneedstobecaredforjustlikeyourplantsdo.Wormscanhelpyoudothis!WormshavebeentendingthesoilsincebeforethelastIceAgeandcanliveinmostplacesthatarenottoohotorcold.Mostwormsareonlyseveralincheslong,buttherearesometypesthatcangrowtobelongerthanacar. Therearemanydifferentwormsthatcanhelpyourgarden.Themostcommonistheearthworm.Earthwormseattheirwaythroughthesoil,makingmealsoutofdecayingplantmatterandbacteria.Theirwaste,calledcastings,helpsenrichthesoil.Astheymovethroughtheground,theycreateburrowsortunnels.Thishelpsgetmoreairandwaterintothedirtandkeepsitfromcompacting.Plantrootscangrowmoreeasily,andwaterisabletostayinthesoilforlongerperiodsoftime. Anotherwormthatcanhelpyourgardenistheredwiggler.Thesewormsdon’tburrowintothesoil.Theyfeedonthesurface,whichmakesthemperfectforcomposting.Compostisamixtureofdecayingorganicmatterthatisusedtofertilizetheland.Itismadeupofthingslikeleavesorgrassclippings.Itcanalsoincludethingslikecarrotpeelsandotherkitchenscraps.Thewigglersareaddedtothemix,andtheyeatanddigestthefood,leavingbehindtheircastings.Castingsarethenmixedintosoilbeforeitisusedforplanting.Thesewormscandevouralotofwaste.Onepoundofwigglerscaneateightouncesoffoodinaday! Allinall,wormsarereallyamazingandaretrulyagardener’sfriend.

Acadience® Reading Progress Monitoring Assessment Page 21

Benchmark 3

Oral Reading Fluency L3/Progress Monitoring 20

A Chess Tournament

Theprincipalwalkedintotheschoollibrary.Shehadjustreceivedaletterinvitingseveralmembersoftheschool’schessteamtoplayinthestatechampionship.Rachelcouldhardlybelieveherearswhensheheardhernamereadasoneofthepeoplewhohadbeenchosen. Thechessclubmettwiceaweekafterschoolinthelibrary.Rachel’steacherhadsuggestedthatshetryitlastyear,becausesheknewthatRachellovedproblemsolving.Whatstartedoutasjustaninterestingschoolactivitywasnowsomethingthatsheloveddoing.Rachelhadbecomeoneoftheclub’sbestplayers.Still,shewonderedifshewasgoodenoughforthistournament. Racheltalkeditoverwithherparentsandherteacher.Theyalltoldherthatshewaschosenbecauseshewasaverygoodplayer.Theyremindedherthatnomatterwhattheoutcomewas,shewouldenjoythechallengeofeachmatchandwouldlearnfromeverygamesheplayed.WhenRachelthoughtaboutit,sherealizedtheywereright.Thetournamentgameswouldjustbenewpuzzlestosolve.Rachelfeltmoreconfident. Whenthetournamentdayarrived,Rachelwasready.Afteragoodnight’srestandahealthybreakfast,shearrivedearlytocheckin.Then,sheplayedsomepracticegameswithherfriends.Soon,itwastimeforherfirstmatchtobegin.Overthenexttwodays,sheplayedsixgames.Shewonfour,lostone,andhadonetie.Whenthefinalpointsweretallied,shehadwonthirdplace.Shewasthrilled,andinherheart,sheknewshehadwonmuchmorethanatrophy.