Tia and the Tall Tale (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What makes a story "tall" and funny? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 210 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.

Tia and the Tall Tale gives 4th grade students a fiction passage of about 210 words about a girl who writes a funny tall tale for homework, followed by five questions. The questions practice summarizing, vocabulary in context and figurative language, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.4.2. An answer key is included.

Tia and the Tall Tale is a fiction passage of about 210 words about a girl who writes a funny tall tale for homework. 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 summarizing, vocabulary in context, key details and figurative language. Questions include "Which sentence best sums up the story" and "What does Mr. Okafor think of Tia's story". 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 makes a story "tall" and funny? 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.

Most students need about 20 minutes for the passage and the questions together. The sheet works at a kitchen table with a parent talking through the written answers, or at a reading center as independent work on summarizing and vocabulary in context.