6th-8th Grade Reading Passages & ELA Practice Tests | Informational Text Edition
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Description
HIGH-INTEREST 1-Page reading comprehension passages kids actually like! AND A MAJOR TIME SAVER! Over 35 high-interest informational text passages paired with practice tests each targeted to a specific standard so 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students practice each important skill, one by one, throughout the entire year OR at test prep time! Aligns to Over 40 Standards in All!
LIKE NOTHING ELSE ON THE MARKET
This product is over a year in the making. and really is like no other product on the market. It is extremely thorough and set up in a unique way: by learning target specific to standards, one by one, taking test prep step by step, and providing skill practice all year long, not just at crunch time before spring testing.
SELF-GRADING = MAJOR TIME SAVER + IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK!
Wonderful for year-round skill practice, preparing your students all throughout the year for all those pesky standardized assessments that keep coming at you! Don't wait until the spring and get stressed out. Try these instead!
TARGETED TO EVERY SINGLE 6TH GRADE READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT STANDARD, EVERY SINGLE 7TH GRADE READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT STANDARD, EVERY SINGLE 8TH GRADE READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT STANDARD, plus even more! Holy Cow!
EASILY INTERCHANGEABLE BETWEEN IN-PERSON AND DISTANCE LEARNING
Available in both easy-print (one page front-and-back) AND self-grading Google Forms for both convenient in-classroom learning AND easy distance learning.
JUST LIKE THE REAL STANDARDIZED TESTS
A Variety of Question Types Similar to SBAC, PARCC, MAP, AZM2, STAAR, CAASP, etc. - aligned to the College and Career Ready Standards. (ALL TEST ITEMS ARE TEXT-EVIDENCE BASED ). Multiple choice, multiple select, evidence-based response, short answer, long answer, essay, charts, etc.
ALIGNS TO SO MANY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS STANDARDS
Tests are targeted to EVERY single Reading Informational Text Standard, many Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects Standards, many Literacy in Social Studies and History Standards, several Language Standards, 11 Writing Prompts for several Writing Standards (including argument and research) and even incorporates video and audio texts to assess Speaking and Listening Standards. This product is so thorough!!! I recommend doing one text/test a week every week, but there is no wrong way to use this book. SPECIFIC TO MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6, 7, and 8 LITERACY EXPECTATIONS.
STUDENTS REPORT THAT THE TEXTS ARE FAR MORE INTERESTING THAN WHAT THEY'RE USED TO GETTING
Each text was written or selected to be HIGH-INTEREST and was tested out on a variety of students of different ages and abilities. The texts and tests were differentiated accordingly and made as clear as possible. I got great feedback from students that these texts are far more interesting than what they usually get on tests and textbooks. The topics are things they are curious about and that they can relate to. You can even use the texts for other purposes as you wish.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF TEXTS LENDS ITSELF NATURALLY TO WRITING TASKS
Several of the texts are paired (or tripled) around the same topic in order to explore different perspectives and to get multimedia components. This all leads to the writing prompts which are all text-evidence-based requiring students to reflect, analyze, and synthesize while having to cite text. This is the highly coveted skill tested most often on standardized English language arts assessment tests!!!
Sixth Grade Contents:
*Note: The CCSS Standards that the tasks are aligned to are the widely accepted College and Career Ready Standards, adopted by over 40 states, numerous territories, and practiced worldwide. Even if your state or region has not adopted these standards, just take a look at each task below to see which essential skills students will be practicing, and then you can use the workbook to meet any ELA standards accordingly. Thank you.
Text #1: “Mush! Mush! First Woman Wins Sled Dog Race"
Target: Read Closely and Cite Textual Evidence
Aligned to: RI.6.1
Text #2: "Their Families are Called Pods”
Target: Summarize Central Ideas
Plus Writing Task: Do Further Research About Killer Whales & Formulate an Argument
Target: Write an Argumentative Essay
Text #3: “Backstage Pass”
Target: Analyze Interactions (among individuals, events, or ideas in a text)
Aligned to: RI.6.3 (plus RI.6.9)
Text #4: “The Lionfish Have Invaded”
Target: Determine Word & Phrase Meanings & Impact
Text #5: “Going to Radcliffe College”
Target: Analyze Text Structure
Text #6: “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller
Target: Analyze Author’s Purpose & Point of View
Aligned to: RI.6.6
Plus Language Task: Analyze Nuances of Language in "The Story of My Life"
Target: Demonstrate Understanding of Figurative Language, Word Relationships, & Nuances in Word Meanings
Aligned to: L.6.5
Plus Analyze a Science Experiment: "Conducting Solutions"
Target: Determine Scientific Author's Purpose for Explaining a Procedure
Aligned to: RST.6-8.6
Text #7: “All About Eclipses”
Target: Compare Print to Multimedia Versions & Integrate Visuals
Text #8: “A Call to Action to Protect Our Oceans”
Target: Trace the Argument and Distinguish Claims
Target: Distinguish Among Facts, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation
Text #9: "Huge Machine Harnesses the Tides”
Target: Integrate Visuals and Diagrams
Target: Distinguish Among Facts & Reasoned Judgments in a Technical/Scientific Text
Aligned to: RI.6.7, RST.6-8.7, RST.6-8.8
Plus Writing Task: Explain Information About Tidal Turbines
Target: Write Explanatory/Informative Written Responses
Text #10: “Memories of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906”
Target: Compare How Two Authors View Same Event
Aligned to: RI.6.9
Plus Text #11 & 12: “Witnessing the Total Eclipse" (ONE audio personal narrative and ONE written personal narrative - about the same event)
Target: Compare How Two Authors View Same Event
Aligned to: RI.6.9
Text #13: “The Story of an Eyewitness”
Target: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction
Aligned to: RI.6.10
Text #14: "Earthquake Fire" (A Popular Mechanics Article)
Target: Demonstrate Understanding of Figurative Language, Word Relationships, & Nuances in Word Meanings
Aligned to: L.6.5
Target: Compare & Contrast a Primary Source to a Secondary Source on the Same Topic
Aligned to: RH.6-8.9
Plus Integrate Videos: Killer Whale Families, Eclipses, Earthquakes, Sled Dog Racing, and More
Targets: Interpret Information AND Delineate the Speaker's Argument in Diverse Media & Formats
Seventh Grade Contents:
Text #1: “Jimmy Carter's Address to the Nation on Energy"
Target: Cite Textual Evidence to Support Analysis
Text #2: "Concussions 101”
Target: Analyze Development of Central Ideas
Plus Viewing/Listening Tasks: Integrate Videos About Concussions
Target: Integrate and Summarize Information Presented in Multiple Formats & Media
Aligned to: W.7.2, WHST.6-8.1, WHST.6-8.2, SL.7.2
Text #3: “Rethinking Youth Sports”
Target: Analyze How Ideas are Elaborated and Connected
Aligned to: RI.7.3
Text #4: “Governor Deval Patrick’s Inaugural Address”
Target: Determine Word & Phrase Meanings, Including Figurative and Connotative
Target: Analyzing the Nuances of Language in Patrick's Rhetoric
Aligned to: L.7.5
Text #5: “Promoting Stuff” Part 1
Target: Analyze Text Structure (Including Sections)
Aligned to: RI.7.5
Text #6: “Promoting Stuff" Part 2
Target: Analyze Author’s Purpose & Point of View
Aligned to:RI.7.6
Plus Analyze a Science Experiment Text: "Conducting Solutions"
Target: Determine Author's Purpose for Explaining a Procedure or Experiment
Aligned to: RST.6-8.6
Text #7: “Obama's Victory Speech”
Target: Compare Print to Multimedia Audiovisual Version
Aligned to:RI.8.7
Text #8: "Huge Machine Harnesses the Tides"
Target: Integrate Technical and Visual Information From Technical/Scientific Sources
Aligned to: RST.6-8.7
Target: Distinguish Between Reasoned Judgments, Facts, and Speculation
Aligned to: RST.6-8.8
Text #9: “Zack's Story: A Concussion Survivor's Journey”
Target: Trace the Argument and Distinguish Claims
Plus Writing Task: Explaining Current Issues in Youth Sports
Targets: Write an Explanatory/Informative Text AND Write an Argumentative Essay
Aligned to: W.7.1, W.7.2, WHST.6-8.1, WHST.6-8.2
Text #10: “Advertising: What Viewers Think”
Target: Analyze How Two Authors Shape Presentations Differently
Aligned to: RI.7.9
Plus Writing Task: Express an Opinion on Advertising Techniques
Target: Write an Argumentative Essay
Aligned to: W.7.1, WHST.6-8.1
Text #11: "Memories of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906" (a real memoir)
Target: Analyze How Two Authors View the Same Event
Aligned to: RI.7.9
Text #12: “The Story of an Eyewitness”
Task #12: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction
Aligned to: RI.7.10
Text #13: "Earthquake Fire" (Popular Mechanics Article)
Target: Analyze the Nuances of Language
Aligned to: L.7.5
Target: Compare a Primary Source to a Secondary Source on the Same Topic
Aligned to: RH.6-8.9
Plus Integrate Videos & Multimedia: Earthquakes, Obama Speech, Concussions
Target: Interpret information and delineate speaker's argument in diverse media/formats
Eighth Grade Contents
Text #1: "Advertising: What Viewers Think"
Target: Cite Text Evidence to Support Analysis
Aligned to Standard: RI.8.1
Text #2: "Dogs in Entertainment"
Target: Summarize Central Ideas
Aligned to Standard: RI.8.2
Text #3: “Pavlov's Dogs"
Target: Analyze How an Author Connects Ideas, Individuals, & Events
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.3, Plus RST.6-8.3 (following a scientific procedure)
Text #4: “Governor Deval Patrick’s Inaugural Address"
Target: Determine Word Meanings, Including Figurative & Connotative
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.4, RH.6-8.4
Text #5: “Going to Radcliffe College”
Target: Analyze Text Structure
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.5, RH.6-8.5
Text #6: "Conducting Solutions" (Science Experiment)
Target: Analyze Scientific Author's Purpose
Aligned to Standard: RST.6-8.6, RI.8.6
Text #7: “Obama's Victory Speech” (Including Audiovisual Version)
Target: Evaluate Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Different Mediums
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.7, RH.6-8.7, SL.6.2 and SL.6.3
Text #8: "Vaccines in a Nutshell"
Target: Integrate Quantitative, Technical, and Visual Information
Aligned to Standards: RST.6-8.7, RI.8.7
Plus Viewing/Listening Task: Watch Animations And Videos About Vaccination
Target: Delineate and Evaluate the Speaker’s Argument and Claims in Multimedia Presentations
Aligned to Standards: SL.8.2, SL.8.3
Text #9: “Child Labor in American History”
Target: Integrate Information & Visuals from Primary and Secondary Sources
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.7, RH.6-8.7
Text #10: Historical Primary Sources Related to Child Labor
Target: Identify Loaded Language & How Author Expresses Point of View PLUS Distinguish Among Facts, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, Persuasion
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.6, RH.6-8.6
Text #11: Two Letters to Senators About Child Labor (Plus More Historical Primary Sources)
Target: Explore Conflicting Points of View PLUS Delineate and Evaluate the Argument, Claims, and Reasoning
Aligned to Standards: RI.8.8, RH.6-8.8, RH.6-8.6, RH.6-8.9
Plus Writing Task: Compare and Contrast Viewpoints on Child Labor
Target: Write an Informative Essay About a Historically Significant Topic
Aligned to Standards: W.8.2, WHST.6-8.2
Plus Writing Task: Argue For or Against Child Labor
Target: Write an Argumentative Essay About a Historically Significant Topic
Aligned to Standards: W.8.1, WHST.6-8.1
Text #12: “Perspectives: Entertaining Humans"
Target: Analyze Conflicting Arguments, Claims, Reasoning
Aligned to Standard: RI.8.8, RI.8.9
Plus Writing Task: Explain Roles Dogs Play in Society
Target: Write an Informative/Explanatory Essay
Aligned to Standards: W.8.2, WHST.6-8.2, W.8.9
Text #13: “Governor Deval Patrick’s Inaugural Address”
Target: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction
Aligned to Standard: RI.8.10
PLUS ANSWER KEYS AND WRITING RUBRICS
QUICK & TO THE POINT: Reading one passage and doing one task will take the average student approximately 20-30 minutes depending on which one it is.
SCAFFOLDED: Tested on students at all skill levels and adjustments made accordingly!
MULTI-PURPOSE! COULD BE USED AS HOMEWORK! A GREAT FILLER ACTIVITY! SUBS LOVE THEM!
STANDARDIZED TESTS FOCUS HEAVILY ON ASSESSING READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Did you know that at least, often much more than, 50% of ELA tests focus on informational text passages? And the writing portions usually ask students to read several texts on the same topic and then have them cite textual evidence from the sources. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE THEM PRACTICE DOING IN THIS RESOURCE!
AND CHECK OUT LOVINGLANGUAGEARTS.COM FOR FREE, SELF-GRADING, INTERACTIVE TEST PREP, SEASONAL LESSONS, FREEBIES, AND MORE
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YOU'LL ALSO LIKE THESE GRADE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES:
High-Interest Informational Text Passages paired with COMPREHENSION TASKS or PRACTICE TESTS. Aligned to EVERY SINGLE GRADE-SPECIFIC READING INFORMATIONAL TEXT STANDARD (AND MORE). You won't find these anywhere else! Save yourself hours of internet searches trying to find the right texts for the right goals of the right lengths in the right formats at the right levels. Students keep reporting how much THEY LOVE the passages because they are interesting and relevant to them! GET YOURS NOW!
4th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
4th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
5th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
5th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
Upper Elementary Bundle High-Interest Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
Upper Elementary Bundle High-Interest Texts and TASKS
6th-8th Grade High-Interest Informational Text Passages and TASKS - Volume I
6th-8th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts Passages and TASKS - Volume II
6th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
7th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
8th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
Middle School Bundle High-Interest Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
Middle School Bundle High-Interest Texts and TASKS
9th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
9th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
10th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
10th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
11th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
11th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
12th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and TASKS
12th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts and PRACTICE TESTS
High School Bundle High-Interest Texts and TASKS
High School Bundle High-Interest Texts and TESTS
Note About the Practice Tests: The test items contain a variety of question types similar to SBAC, PARCC, STAAR, MAP, CAASP, and all of the state standardized ELA assessment programs. The tests align to even more standards: Writing, Language, Speaking & Listening, Literacy in Science and History, etc. Items align specifically to the grade level, not just generally.
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Test Prep Workbooks Prepare Students For:
Alabama ARMT, Alaska SBA, Arizona NAEP, AzM2, AASA Arkansas AABE, California CAASP, STAR & SBAC, Colorado CMAS & CSAP, Connecticut CMT & CAPT, Delaware DCAS & DSTP, Washington, DC PARCC, Florida FSA & FCAT, Georgia CRCT, Hawaii HSA, Idaho ISAT, Illinois ISAT, Indiana ISTEP+, Iowa ITBS & ITED, Kansas KRA, Kentucky CATS & KCCT, Louisiana LEAP & ILEAP, Maine NECAP & MEA, Maryland MSA, Massachusetts MCAS, Michigan MEAP, Minnesota MCA II, Mississippi MCT & MFLE, Missouri MAP, Montana MontCAS, Nebraska NeSA, Nevada NPEP, New Hampshire NECAP, New Jersey PARCC, New Mexico NMSBA, New York Regents NYSE & NYSTP, North Carolina EOG, North Dakota CAT & NDSA, Ohio OAT & OST, Oklahoma OCCT, Oregon OAKS, Pennsylvania PSSA, Rhode Island RICAS & NECAP, South Carolina PASS, South Dakota DSTEP, Tennessee TCAP, Texas STAAR & TAKS, UTAH SAGE & UPASS, Vermont SBAC & NECAP, Virginia SOL, Washington WCAP & WASL, West Virginia WESTEST, Wisconsin WKCE, Wyoming PAWS
