A Lighthouse at Midnight (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: Why do ships and sailors depend on a light that never goes out? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 270 words in 6 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. The five questions on page 2 push students to explain, not just choose. Ask for text evidence in both written responses and invite a short discussion afterward. Check the work with the answer key.

A Lighthouse at Midnight gives 5th grade students a fiction passage of about 270 words about a lighthouse keeper on a stormy night, followed by five questions. The questions practice the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.5.2. An answer key is included.

A Lighthouse at Midnight is a fiction passage of about 270 words about a lighthouse keeper on a stormy night. It is written for 5th grade readers (ages 10-11) and has 6 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice cause and effect, the theme or lesson of the story and vocabulary in context. Questions include "Why would the boats be in danger without the lamp's beam". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.5.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: Why do ships and sailors depend on a light that never goes out? Have students read the title and picture the setting, then read to see how the characters handle the problem. Pause to talk about how each character feels.

Expect about 20 to 25 minutes from first read to last answer. It suits homework, a sub plan or small group reading time, and the answer key makes it quick to check the theme or lesson of the story and vocabulary in context.