The Broken Compass (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: How would you find your way if your compass stopped working? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 280 words in 7 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. Then students move to page 2 for three multiple choice items and two written responses, citing evidence for each answer in their own words. Check the work with the answer key.

The Broken Compass gives 5th grade students a fiction passage of about 280 words about two campers in an orienteering game whose compass breaks, followed by five questions. The questions practice vocabulary in context, making inferences and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.5.1. An answer key is included.

The Broken Compass is a fiction passage of about 280 words about two campers in an orienteering game whose compass breaks. It is written for 5th grade readers (ages 10-11) and has 7 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice vocabulary in context, cause and effect, making inferences and the order of events. Questions include "Which step comes between the first stone and the line" and "What does Greta's last line show she values". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.5.1, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: How would you find your way if your compass stopped working? Ask students to read the first paragraph and guess what the problem will be, then finish the story to check their guess.

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 vocabulary in context and making inferences.