Frequently Asked Questions
A reading passage download includes ONE reading passage.
There are a few exceptions. Several downloads include two or three reading passages. These passages differ in the content they cover. The content is differentiated, not the readability.
Reading passages are differentiated based on the difficulty of the material covered. I use a color and shape code across all my products to help you differentiate concepts:
Green circle passages cover basic ideas and understandings. These concepts are first introduced to upper elementary (grade 3-5) students. The concepts can or should be reviewed with middle school students to ensure a solid foundation for intermediate concepts.
Blue square passages cover intermediate ideas and understandings. These concepts are targeted for middle school students. These concepts may be appropriate for high-achieving upper elementary students and can or should be reviewed with high school students.
Black diamond passages cover advanced (high school) ideas and understandings. These concepts may be appropriate for middle school students to help explain intermediate key ideas. Incorporating advanced concepts is recommended for honors students.
I intentionally do not create multiple simplified versions of the scientific reading passages. Reducing or removing required scientific vocabulary ultimately “waters down” the content and prevents students from meeting the expectations of the NGSS performance standards, Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and essential grade-level scientific practices. Students must engage with authentic scientific language to build conceptual understanding and proficiency.
To ensure my passages are both rigorous and accessible, I support diverse learners in the following ways:
- Scientific content is presented in the simplest way possible. Sentences are written in simple, direct form. Unnecessary use of complex vocabulary outside of required scientific terms is avoided.
- Passages are targeted to have a Lexile Band for grades 6-8. Lexile scores are provided on the passage.
- A short, bullet-point summary with scientific vocabulary defined is included for each passage.
- Passages are Immersive Reader Ready and can be read-aloud, translated and provided in visually different formats.
This approach maintains full scientific rigor and NGSS alignment while still providing strong, equitable reading support for all learners.
Reading passages support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – and beyond – by focusing each text on a single, clearly defined standard or Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI). Scientific information is carefully chunked so students can build a deep understanding of one concept at a time.
Students must use the text to answer multiple choice questions that support ELA Common Core Standards for Reading Informational Text and Science and Technical Subjects. Multiple choice questions assess students’ ability to use specific information in the text to answer “ELA Common Core style” questions. These questions help students master literacy skills in a scientific reading environment.
