The Whistling Wind (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What do you remember doing with an older family member? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 220 words in 7 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. Next comes page 2: three multiple choice questions and two written responses. Before writing, students should find the evidence that supports their thinking. Check the work with the answer key.

The Whistling Wind gives 4th grade students a fiction passage of about 220 words about a boy and his grandfather who fly a homemade kite on a windy hill, followed by five questions. The questions practice the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context and making inferences, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.4.2. An answer key is included.

The Whistling Wind is a fiction passage of about 220 words about a boy and his grandfather who fly a homemade kite on a windy hill. It is written for 4th grade readers (ages 9-10) and has 7 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice cause and effect, vocabulary in context, the theme or lesson of the story and making inferences. Questions include "What caused the kite to fly away" and "How can you tell Felix felt sad when the kite flew away". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.4.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: What do you remember doing with an older family member? 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 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.