The New Captain (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What makes someone a good leader on a team? 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 New Captain gives 5th grade students a fiction passage of about 280 words about a student who is named team captain and feels both proud and nervous, 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.

The New Captain is a fiction passage of about 280 words about a student who is named team captain and feels both proud and nervous. 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 the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context, how a character feels and cause and effect. Questions include "Which statement best expresses the theme of the story" and "Why does the author compare Lily's stomach to a pretzel". 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: What makes someone a good leader on a team? 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.