The Garden Behind the Wall (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: How do you learn the truth about someone you only see from far away? 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. Page 2 holds five questions. Ask students to support each answer with evidence from the text, and have partners swap the two written responses to give feedback. Check the work with the answer key.

The Garden Behind the Wall gives 5th grade students a fiction passage of about 280 words about a girl who is curious about her gruff neighbor and the wall around his garden, followed by five questions. The questions practice summarizing, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.5.2. An answer key is included.

The Garden Behind the Wall is a fiction passage of about 280 words about a girl who is curious about her gruff neighbor and the wall around his garden. 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, summarizing and the author's purpose. Questions include "What can you tell about Mr. Haas from the story" and "Why does the author say his voice was gruff but his eyes were kind". 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: How do you learn the truth about someone you only see from far away? Invite students to share a similar experience first, then read to compare. Afterward, ask what the main character learned.

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 summarizing and vocabulary in context.