This freebie is a SAMPLE of a complete Fall fiction story pack

That includes both both printable and digital versions!

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Differentiated Nonfiction Articles Standards based lesson plans

with high interest topics with quality literature
to get kids critically thinking, talking, & growing as informational readers to get kids critically thinking, talking, & growing as readers and writers

Be sure to check out my store for newly added fiction, passages, nonfiction passages AND comprehensive lesson plans for popular fiction texts!
 Directions and Tips for Use
This freebie is part of a complete unit! Check out the full description below!
This product is designed for students to practice their reading skills with engaging fictional stories with an autumn theme. These passages can be
used in a variety of ways including but not limited to: guided reading groups, skills-based groups, morning work/bell work, homework, independent
practice, and more! You may also choose to model close reading strategies for students and allow them to practice marking up the text and
answering the comprehension questions.

Each passage is written at two different grade level ranges (3rd/4th and 5th/6th) and includes photographs and/or illustrations. Passages range from
approximately 250 words to 300 words. The levels vary by vocabulary, sentence structure, and sentence length. You will notice each passage is
coded with two small circles in the bottom left corner as a reference to the two levels. Every title is accompanied by four rigorous text dependent
questions, printed side-by-side for saving paper and ink. Students will learn the format of these activities because the overall structure remains the
same, allowing them to focus on the challenge of reading and comprehending fictional texts.

There are four response types for each passage.

1. Students summarize the story in a few sentences.
2. Students infer the meaning of a key vocabulary word and support their inference with text evidence.
3. Students answer a multiple choice question that requires them to refer to the text.
4. Students will use skills and strategies to complete a graphic organizer, allowing them to apply what they have read.

• All questions are Common Core Aligned and designed to assess students’ comprehension after reading the passage.
• A Scope and Sequence Guide is included and can be used to guide your instructional decisions and printing.
• An Answer Key is also included. The correct answers apply to both differentiated passages for easy scoring and grading.

This full download

Check out the full 5 passage download here: includes color & B/W,
PowerPoint, and Google
versions of all stories!
Check it out!
Fall Fiction Reading Passages

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

 Skills Outline and Answer Key

3rd/4th grade 5th/6th grade

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

Name: ___________________

Scarecrow Friends
Farmer Ann closed the barn doors at sundown. Understanding Key Ideas and Details
She admired her golden fields of corn. As she walked to her Summarize the passage in one to two sentences.
farmhouse, she muttered to herself. “Those old scarecrows
better get to work. I’ll need to find a new deterrent if any
more of my corn is eaten by those pesky crows.”

Five minutes after Farmer Ann shut her door, Patches,

Needles, and Strawman Dan came to life. They wiggled loose from
their wooden posts and hopped down to the dirt below. The three Key Vocabulary
raggedy scarecrows stood in a circle. Patches complained, “Farmer
Ann doesn’t understand. The crows are our friends.” What Farmer What is the meaning of deterrent? What clues support your inference?
Ann also did not understand was that the crows visited her
scarecrows every night to listen to their stories. Farmer Ann’s
scarecrows were brilliant storytellers.

Tucking his red flannel shirt into his patched jeans, Strawman
Dan thought of an idea. “Let’s strike a bargain with our crow friends.”
He shared his idea. If the crows agreed, they would begin visiting the
sunflower and wheat fields too. Strawman Dan thought that if the
crows ate from three places rather than only one, Farmer Ann would
not notice the missing crops. Needles nodded excitedly.
The large black birds settled comfortably on the scarecrows’
shoulders. Then, Needles shared the plan. Fearful that their scarecrow
friends would be replaced by Ann, the crows agreed right away.
Storytime began as usual. Tonight, Patches told a tale of
scarecrow pirates on the high seas.
Multiple Choice
How do the events in paragraph four contribute to the reader’s
understanding about the crows’ feelings toward the scarecrows?
a. The events prove the crows believe they are not doing their job properly.
b. The events help readers understand the crows enjoy their company.
c. The events help readers learn that the crows are disrespectful.
d. The events illustrate the crows love the scarecrows’ pirate stories.
Apply It!
Choose four key events from the story and sequence them on the timeline.

The rest of the fall season went off without a

hitch. Farmer Ann passed the scarecrow trio daily
and smiled, thanking them for their hard work.

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

Name: ___________________

Scarecrow Friends
At dusk, Farmer Ann closed the barn doors and Understanding Key Ideas and Details
admired her golden fields of corn. She walked to her Summarize the passage in one to two sentences.
farmhouse muttering, “Those old scarecrows better get
to work. I’ll need to find a new deterrent if any more of my
corn is eaten by those pesky crows.”

Precisely five minutes after Farmer Ann shut her door,

Patches, Needles, and Strawman Dan came to life. Each scarecrow
wiggled loose from their wooden post and hopped down to the dirt Key Vocabulary
below. The three raggedy scarecrows gathered in a circle. Patches
complained, “Farmer Ann doesn’t understand. The crows are our What is the meaning of deterrent? What clues support your inference?
friends!” What Farmer Ann also did not understand was that for
years, the crows visited her scarecrows every night to listen to their
stories. Farmer Ann’s scarecrows were brilliant storytellers.

Tucking his red flannel shirt into his patched jeans, Strawman
Dan thought of an idea. “Let’s strike a bargain with our crow friends.”
He explained his proposal. If the crows agreed, they would begin
visiting the sunflower and wheat fields too. Strawman Dan reasoned
that if the crows ate from three places rather than only one, Farmer
Ann would not notice the missing crops. Needles nodded
enthusiastically.
Once the large black birds settled comfortably on the
scarecrows’ shoulders, Needles shared the plan. Fearful that
their scarecrow friends would be replaced by Ann, the crows
immediately agreed. Storytime commenced as usual.
Tonight, Patches spun a tale of scarecrow pirates on the
high seas.
Multiple Choice
How do the events in paragraph four contribute to the reader’s
understanding about the crows’ feelings toward the scarecrows?
a. The events prove the crows believe they are not doing their job properly.
b. The events help readers understand the crows enjoy their company.
c. The events help readers learn that the crows are disrespectful.
d. The events illustrate the crows love the scarecrows’ pirate stories.
Apply It!
Choose four key events from the story and sequence them on the timeline.

The remainder of the fall season went off

without a hitch. Farmer Ann passed the scarecrow
trio daily and smiled, thanking them for
their diligence.

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

Name: ___________________

Scarecrow Friends
Farmer Ann closed the barn doors at sundown. Understanding Key Ideas and Details
She admired her golden fields of corn. As she walked to her Summarize the passage in one to two sentences.
farmhouse, she muttered to herself. “Those old scarecrows
better get to work. I’ll need to find a new deterrent if any
more of my corn is eaten by those pesky crows.”

Five minutes after Farmer Ann shut her door, Patches,

Needles, and Strawman Dan came to life. They wiggled loose from
their wooden posts and hopped down to the dirt below. The three Key Vocabulary
raggedy scarecrows stood in a circle. Patches complained, “Farmer
Ann doesn’t understand. The crows are our friends.” What Farmer What is the meaning of deterrent? What clues support your inference?
Ann also did not understand was that the crows visited her
scarecrows every night to listen to their stories. Farmer Ann’s
scarecrows were brilliant storytellers.

Tucking his red flannel shirt into his patched jeans, Strawman
Dan thought of an idea. “Let’s strike a bargain with our crow friends.”
He shared his idea. If the crows agreed, they would begin visiting the
sunflower and wheat fields too. Strawman Dan thought that if the
crows ate from three places rather than only one, Farmer Ann would
not notice the missing crops. Needles nodded excitedly.
The large black birds settled comfortably on the scarecrows’
shoulders. Then, Needles shared the plan. Fearful that their scarecrow
friends would be replaced by Ann, the crows agreed right away.
Storytime began as usual. Tonight, Patches told a tale of
scarecrow pirates on the high seas.
Multiple Choice
How do the events in paragraph four contribute to the reader’s
understanding about the crows’ feelings toward the scarecrows?
a. The events prove the crows believe they are not doing their job properly.
b. The events help readers understand the crows enjoy their company.
c. The events help readers learn that the crows are disrespectful.
d. The events illustrate the crows love the scarecrows’ pirate stories.
Apply It!
Choose four key events from the story and sequence them on the timeline.

The rest of the fall season went off without a

hitch. Farmer Ann passed the scarecrow trio daily
and smiled, thanking them for their hard work.

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

Name: ___________________

Scarecrow Friends
At dusk, Farmer Ann closed the barn doors and Understanding Key Ideas and Details
admired her golden fields of corn. She walked to her Summarize the passage in one to two sentences.
farmhouse muttering, “Those old scarecrows better get
to work. I’ll need to find a new deterrent if any more of my
corn is eaten by those pesky crows.”

Precisely five minutes after Farmer Ann shut her door,

Patches, Needles, and Strawman Dan came to life. Each scarecrow
wiggled loose from their wooden post and hopped down to the dirt Key Vocabulary
below. The three raggedy scarecrows gathered in a circle. Patches
complained, “Farmer Ann doesn’t understand. The crows are our What is the meaning of deterrent? What clues support your inference?
friends!” What Farmer Ann also did not understand was that for
years, the crows visited her scarecrows every night to listen to their
stories. Farmer Ann’s scarecrows were brilliant storytellers.

Tucking his red flannel shirt into his patched jeans, Strawman
Dan thought of an idea. “Let’s strike a bargain with our crow friends.”
He explained his proposal. If the crows agreed, they would begin
visiting the sunflower and wheat fields too. Strawman Dan reasoned
that if the crows ate from three places rather than only one, Farmer
Ann would not notice the missing crops. Needles nodded
enthusiastically.
Once the large black birds settled comfortably on the
scarecrows’ shoulders, Needles shared the plan. Fearful that
their scarecrow friends would be replaced by Ann, the crows
immediately agreed. Storytime commenced as usual.
Tonight, Patches spun a tale of scarecrow pirates on the
high seas.
Multiple Choice
How do the events in paragraph four contribute to the reader’s
understanding about the crows’ feelings toward the scarecrows?
a. The events prove the crows believe they are not doing their job properly.
b. The events help readers understand the crows enjoy their company.
c. The events help readers learn that the crows are disrespectful.
d. The events illustrate the crows love the scarecrows’ pirate stories.
Apply It!
Choose four key events from the story and sequence them on the timeline.

The remainder of the fall season went off

without a hitch. Farmer Ann passed the scarecrow
trio daily and smiled, thanking them for
their diligence.

© ELA with Mrs. Martin

Click to
Follow Me
on TPT!

Thank you for downloading this freebie!

Like this product? It is part of a 5-pack of fiction reading passages!
Get it here: Fall Differentiated Fiction Reading Passages

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