Below Grade

Level Reading
Assessments
Unit 3 Stories
Corresponds
with 2nd Grade
Reading
Wonders

By Angelia Grimes-Graeme
from Extra Special Teaching
2014
Name:__________________ Date:___________

This is Friction!
You kick a ball. How far will it roll? When will it
stop? It depends. If it lands on rough grass, it will
stop soon. If it lands on a smooth playground, it
will keep rolling.
Friction will stop the ball. Friction is a force. A
force is a push or a pull.
Friction happens when two objects, or things, rub
together. Rough surfaces have more friction than
smooth surfaces. Sand is rough. Ice is smooth. Sand
has more friction than ice. It is hard to push a sled
on sand. It is easy to push a sled on ice.
Why is it easy to slip on a wet floor? Water makes
the floor very smooth. There is not much friction.

Dry Floor Wet Floor

Unit 3 Week 1
Name:__________________ Date:___________
This is Friction
Use This is Friction to answer the questions.
1. If you kick a ball, what stops the ball?
o the grass
o sand
o your foot
o friction
2. What word means the same as objects?
o surfaces
o things
o ice
o sleds
3. Why is it easy to push a sled on ice?
o Ice is rough.
o Ice has a lot of friction.
o Ice does not have much friction.
o Sleds only work on ice.
4. Why did the author MOST LIKELY write This is Friction?
o to tell readers how friction works
o to tell readers a story about sledding
o to tell readers how to keep from slipping
o to tell readers how to throw a ball
5. Why will a ball stop soon if it lands on rough grass?
o Rough grass has more friction.
o Balls do not like rolling in grass.
o Rough grass has holes in it.
o Balls roll better in rough grass.
6. Which word shows an action that already happened?
o roll
o rolls
o rolled
o rolling
7. What does friction mean?
o a smooth playground
o a foot slipping on ice
o a rough surface
o a force that is a push or a pull
8. Why is it easy to slip on a wet floor?
o A wet floor is smooth like ice.
o A wet floor does not have much friction.
o A foot can not stand on water.
o A foot will make a lot of friction.
Why is it easier to ice skate on ice instead of sand?

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Name:__________________ Date:___________

The Rainbow
Bob and Dave were in their cabin at camp getting
ready for their soccer match. Suddenly the boys heard a
crack of thunder. They ran to the cabin window.
I dont like this, Bob grumbled. He sounded unhappy.
It will stop soon, Dave said. Then we can play.
The rain did not stop. The boys ran outside at game
time. But they knew the match would be called off. The
soccer field was filled with mud.
Then the boys walked slowly back to their cabin. As
they walked, the rain stopped. Dave saw a huge rainbow
in the sky.
Look up! Dave said. Its so amazing!
Pleased and delighted, they observed a bright
rainbow. The boys were able to see every band of color.
Then they raced each other back to the cabin.

Unit 3 Week 2
Name:__________________ Date:___________
The Rainbow
Use The Rainbow to answer the questions.
1. Where are Bob and Dave in the BEGINNING of the story?
o the soccer field
o their cabin
o outside
o their house
2. How does Bob feel when he grumbled?
o not happy
o excited
o happy
o pleased
3. Which is a compound word that describes something you see in the
sky?
o afternoon
o inside
o rainbow
o something
4. Then the boys walked slowly back to their cabin.
What does slowly mean?
o in a slow way
o a slow thing
o very slow
o not slow
5. What do the boys do right AFTER they see the field filled with mud?
o They saw a rainbow.
o They walked back to their cabin.
o They got ready for their soccer match.
o They watched the rain.
6. Which two words make a compound word that means not in the
house?
o every and body
o sun and set
o rain and bow
o out and side
7. What word means the about the same as delighted?
o pleased
o grumbled
o unhappy
o observed
8. Why does Dave tell Bob to look up?
o There was a crack of thunder.
o There was a rainbow in the sky.
o There was a big, gray cloud.
o There was a flash of lightening.
Tell about a time you were not happy that it rained.

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Name:__________________ Date:___________

Community Gardens
Cara and Leo help start community gardens. They hold meetings
for people who want to help. Cara and Leo listen to peoples ideas.
Then, they share their thoughts. Gardens make a city look nice. They
help bring people together.
One problem is finding a place for the garden. A solution is to use
land owned by the city. When they solve the problem, work begins.
People volunteer to help. They start by clearing the land. They pull
weeds and remove trash. This is good exercise. They learn how to
grow food. They meet new people.
Some people want to plant fruits and vegetables. People save
money when they grow their own food. They also learn how to eat
better. Extra food can be sold at the farmers market. The money
helps the community. It helps Cara and Leo start more gardens.
Community gardens make a city better!

Unit 3 Week 3
Name:__________________ Date:___________
Community Gardens
Use Community Gardens to answer the questions.
1. What do Cara and Leo help start?
o community gardens
o meetings
o city lands
o farmer markets
2. Why did the author MOST LIKELY write Community Gardens?
o to tell a story about gardens
o to show how to start a garden
o to make people want to start a garden
o to give information on community gardens
3. Cara and Leo listen to other peoples ideas.
Which word has almost the same meaning as ideas?
o meetings
o thoughts
o exercise
o brings
4. What is one problem in people have when creating community
gardens?
o deciding what to plant
o picking out the seeds
o making time to pull weeds
o finding a place for the garden
5. What do people learn when they grow their own food?
o which vegetables they like the most
o how to eat better
o how to sell at the farmers market
o which fruit takes the longest to grow
6. Read this sentence from the story:
When they solve the problem, work begins.
Which word has almost the SAME meaning as begins?
o quits
o starts
o ends
o opens
7. What is a solution?
o solving a problem
o people sharing ideas
o clearing land
o meeting new people
8. What can be done with the extra food?
o It can be thrown away.
o It can made into pies.
o It can planted again.
o It can be sold at the farmers market.
Why is a community garden good for a city?

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____________________________________________________
Name:__________________ Date:___________

Blizzards
Winter weather can cause problems. Schools and businesses may have
to close. Snow may block the roads.

More Than a Snowstorm

A blizzard is a big snowstorm with harsh, or rough, winds. A lot of

snow falls in a short time. A blizzard can be dangerous, or cause harm.
Trees can fall. Power lines can be knocked down.

The Northeastern United States is known for blizzards. They are called
Noreasters. They can last for more than a day.

Be Prepared!

How can you stay safe during a blizzard? First, listen to the news. If
you hear a blizzard is coming, be ready. Buy canned food and bottled
water. Get a first-aid kit. Make sure your flashlights work. Then stay
inside. It is easier to stay safe when you are prepared!

Unit 3 Week 4
Name:__________________ Date:___________
Blizzards
Use Blizzards to answer the questions.
1. What is the main idea of the article about?
o School closes for snow days.
o Blizzards happen in the northeastern United States.
o Make sure your flashlights have batteries.
o Blizzards can be dangerous so it is best to be prepared.
2. Read this sentence from the story:
A lot of snow falls in a short time.
Which word has the OPPOSITE meaning of short?
o small
o long
o tiny
o many
3. How long can a Noreaster last?
o more than a minute
o more than an hour
o more than a day
o more than a week
4. Which word means about the SAME as harsh?
o easy
o calm
o rough
o blowing
5. How can a blizzard be dangerous?
o Power lines can be knocked down.
o Businesses may close for the day.
o People will stay inside.
o Grocery stores may run out of food.
6. Read this sentence from the story:
Trees can fall.
Which word means about the SAME as fall?
o grow
o leaves
o drop
o spring
7. What does dangerous mean?
o stay safe
o fall down
o lots of snow
o cause harm
8. How can you know a blizzard is coming?
o Look outside.
o Listen to the news.
o Ask your parents.
o Measure the snow outside.
How can you prepare for a blizzard?

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Name:__________________ Date:___________

The Dance Teacher

Marcia Dale Weary is a dancer. She also is a teacher. In 1955 she
opened a ballet school. She likes to teach children. She teaches them to
express themselves.

The student learn how to move to music. They listen to the sounds made
by instruments. They express themselves by dancing.

Some students are only three years old. As students learn, they begin to
understand, or know, the basics of ballet. They learn how to balance.
They learn how to spin and
Students at Dance School
jump.
20
18
Marcia thinks children
16
who dance understand
14
Number of Students

how to work hard.

12
They have a goal
10
they want to reach,
8
she says. They want
6
to dance. It makes me
4
happy.
2
0
3-6 7-10 11-14 15-18
Unit 3 Week 5 Age of Students
Name:__________________ Date:___________
The Dance Teacher
Use The Dance Teacher to answer the questions.
1. What did Marcia Dale Weary do in 1955?
o She learned how to move to music.
o She went to school.
o She learned how to balance.
o She opened a ballet school.
2. Which word means about the SAME as understand?
o know
o basics
o express
o balance
3. Why did the author MOST LIKELY write The Dance Teacher?
o to teach readers how to do ballet
o to show how hard it is to start a school
o to tell how children can express themselves using dance
o to tell a story about ballet dancers
4. How old is the youngest dance student?
o three
o four
o six
o seven
5. Look at the graph. How many students are 7-10 years old?
o 8
o 16
o 18
o 20
6. What does music mean?
o moving to express yourself
o learning how to balance
o basics of ballet
o sounds made by instruments
7. Look at the graph. Which age group has the most students in dance?
o 3-6
o 7-10
o 11-14
o 15-18
8. What are the basics of ballet that student learn?
o how to balance, spin, and jump
o how to work hard
o how to make goals
o how to listen to music
Would you like to dance lessons? Why or why not. *Remember complete
sentence!

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 Credits Page
Made by Angelia Grimes-Graeme 2014. Duplication limited to single
classroom use only.
Graphics By:

Fonts By: Pam Hyer (Miss Pam & Miss Pam Skinny)

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