High School Reading Passages & Comprehension Tasks | Informational Text Edition

HIGH-INTEREST 1-page reading comprehension passages with ELA tasks 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students enjoy. Targeted to specific standards in an engaging, relevant way! Gets students reading, writing, identifying nuances in language, listening and viewing, exploring both historical and scientific primary sources, interpreting charts and diagrams, analyzing seminal U.S. documents, plus slave narratives, memoirs, arguments, and more.

A PASSAGE & TASK FOR EVERY READING STANDARD

Students practice ELA skills aligned to ALL 10 Ninth Grade Reading Informational Text Standards, ALL 10 Tenth, All 10 Eleventh, and ALL 10 12th Grade RI College and Career Readiness Standards. and more. EVERY PASSAGE WITH TASK IS SPECIFICALLY ALIGNED TO NINTH GRADE, TENTH GRADE, ELEVENTH GRADE, AND TWELFTH GRADE LITERACY EXPECTATIONS.

AUTHENTIC TEXT TYPES: Faux blog posts, literary nonfiction from a newsmagazine, medical website look-alike, articles structured various ways, argument, science experiment and technical information, slave narratives, humorous memoirs, primary source historical documents, speeches, a poem, and more.

A TRULY ENGAGING RESOURCE

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!

EASILY INTERCHANGEABLE BETWEEN IN-PERSON & REMOTE LEARNING!

Includes easy-print version (most are one page front-to-back/no stapling) for easy in-person learning as well as interactive Google Slides perfect for easy, interchangeable distance learning. MAJOR TIME SAVER!

ALIGNS TO SO MANY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS STANDARDS

Each task is centered around 1 main standard that's targeted, so by the time they do all of them, they will have practiced ALL 10 informational text skills, multiple Literacy in History and Social Studies (RH and WHST Standards) skills, multiple Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects (RST and WHST standards) skills because the topics come in a wide variety of cross-curricular subjects. Plus they identify figurative language and nuances in language (Language Standards), and write to synthesize information thoughtfully (Writing Standards), Not to mention, they listen to and view a variety of media to gain even further understanding (Speaking, Listening, & Viewing Standards).

THESE ARE UNIVERSAL (& VERY SPECIFIC) ELA SKILLS DESIGNED TO MAKE KIDS "COLLEGE AND CAREER READY" NOT ONLY ACROSS THE NATION BUT ACROSS THE WORLD!

CHECK OUT WHAT YOU'LL GET IN THE HIGH SCHOOL BUNDLE (AND BE SURE TO VIEW THE PREVIEWS)

NINTH GRADE WORKBOOK 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: "Benjamin Franklin, A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation” (Excerpt)

Task #1: Cite Strong and Thorough Text Evidence

Aligned to: RI.9-10.1

Text #2: The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller (Excerpt #1)

Task #2A: Analyze Development of a Central Idea

Aligned to: RI.9-10.2

Text #3: The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller (Excerpt #2)

Task #3: Analyze How Author Unfolds a Series of Events (in a specific order)

Aligned to: RI.9-10.3, RH.9-10.2, RH.9-10.3

Text #3B: “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” (Excerpt)

Task #3B: Analyze How an Author Unfolds a Series of Events (and Determine Causation) in a Primary Source

Aligned to: RI.9-10.3, RH.9-10.2, RH.9-10.3

PLUS WRITING TASKS: MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE STORY OF MY LIFE AND NARRATIVE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Aligned to: W.9-10.2, W.9-10.9, WHST.9-10.2

Text #4: "A Guide to Your TWO Circulatory Systems” (in text and song/video)

Task #4: Determine Meanings and Impact of Word Choice on Tone

Aligned to: RI.9-10.4, RST.9-10.4, SL.9-10.2

Text #5: “A Warning from the FBI"

Task #5: Analyze How Ideas or Claims are Developed and Refined by Specific Portions of Text

Aligned to: RI.9-10.5

Text #5B: "You are Brilliant and the Earth is Hiring" by Paul Hawken (Excerpts)

Task #5B: Understand Figurative Language and Nuances in Word Meanings

Aligned to: L.9-10.5

Text #6: "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau (Excerpts)

Task#6: Analyze Author’s Use of Rhetoric to Advance Point of View and Purpose

Aligned to: RI.9-10.6

Text #6B: Foam Rocket Activity by NASA (Excerpt)

Task #6B: Analyze Author's Purpose in Explaining a Procedure or Experiment

Aligned to: RST.9-10.6

Text #7: Marine Debris Causing Havoc in the Seas

Task #7: Analyze Various Accounts Told in Different Mediums

Aligned to: RI.9-10.7

Text #8: “A Call to Action to Protect Our Oceans" by Secretary Kerry

Task #8: Delineate and Evaluate the Argument, Claims, Reasoning, Credibility

Aligned to: RI.9-10.8, RST.9-10.8

PLUS WRITING TASKS ABOUT HELPING OCEANS

Op-Ed Opinion Piece, Letter to a Public Official, Argument

Including writing guides, rubrics, ideas, sources

Aligned to: W.9-10.1, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.9

Text #9: "Martin Luther King’s Letter from the Birmingham City Jail" (Excerpts)

Task #9: Analyze Seminal U.S. Documents of Historical and Literary Significance

Aligned to: RI.9-10.9

Text #10: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address (Excerpt)

Task #10: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction

Aligned to: RI.9-10.10

TENTH GRADE WORKBOOK CONTENTS:

Text #1: "Backstage Pass: What Life on Tour is REALLY Like" (faux rockstar memoir)

Task #1: Cite Strong and Thorough Text Evidence

Aligned to: RI.9-10.1

Text #2: The "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" Speech (Excerpt)

Task #2A: Analyze Development of a Central Idea

Aligned to: RI.9-10.2

Text #3: “Adélie Penguins Cope With Climate Change”

Task #2B: Trace an Explanation of a Scientific or Technical Process

Aligned to: RST.9-10.2 and SL.9-10.2 (video included)

Text #4: “My Autobiography" by Mark Twain (Excerpt)

Task #3A: Analyze How an Author Unfolds a Series of Events or Ideas

Aligned to: RI.9-10.3

Text 5: “Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave" (Excerpt)

Task#3B: Analyze How an Author Unfolds a Series of Events (and Determine Causation) in a Primary Source

Aligned to: RH.9-10.2, RH.9-10.3

Text #6: "Working Dogs" and "My Dog" paired passage and poem

Task #4: Determine Meanings and Impacts of Words and Phrases

Aligned to: RI.9-10.4

Text #7: “FTC Fact Sheet: Identify Yourself"

Task #5: Analyze How Ideas or Claims are Developed and Refined by Specific Portions of Text

Aligned to: RI.9-10.5

Text #8: "President George W. Bush’s Address to the Nation on 9/11"

Task #6A: Analyze Author’s Use of Rhetoric to Advance Point of View and Purpose

Aligned to: RI.9-10.6

Text #9: "3...2...1...Puff!" (Excerpt of a NASA STEM Activity)

Task#6B: Analyze Author’s Purpose in Providing an Explanation or Procedure

Aligned to: RST.9-10.6

Text #10: Child Labor in American History (in Primary and Secondary Sources)

Task #7: Analyze Various Accounts of a Subject Told in Different Mediums AND Compare/Contrast Treatment of Same Topic in Primary and Secondary Sources

Aligned to: RI.9-10.7, RH.9-10.9

PLUS INFORMATIONAL/EXPLANATORY WRITING PROMPT - INTEGRATING SOURCES

Aligned to: W.9-10.2, WHST.9-10.2

Text #11: “How to Fix School Lunch...AGAIN"

Task #8: Delineate and Evaluate the Argument, Claims, and Reasoning

Aligned to: RI.9-10.8

Text #12: “The Gettysburg Address"

Task #9: Analyze Seminal U.S. Documents of Historical and Literary Significance

Aligned to: RI.9-10.9

Text #13: “True Stories About Camping in the Rain"

Task #10: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction

Aligned to: RI.9-10.10

Text #14: “Adventures and Reminiscences of a Drummer Boy From Maine" (Excerpt)

Task#11: Demonstrate Understanding of Figurative Language & Nuances in Meaning

Aligned to: L.9-10.5

Listening to and Writing about the Concept of Freedom: (Integration of 5 Texts)

Task#12: Integrate Multiple Sources of Information in Diverse Media and Synthesize Ideas in WRITING

Aligned to: W.9-10.7, SL.9-10.2

ELEVENTH GRADE WORKBOOK CONTENTS:

Text #1: "Groomer Assistant Job Description"

Task #1A: Cite Strong and Thorough Text Evidence to Support Analysis

Aligned to: RI.11-12.1

Text #1: "Groomer Assistant Job Description" and Sample Cover Letter

Task #1B: Write an explanatory/informative text (a cover letter to get the job)

Aligned to: W.11-12.2

Text #2: “The House Beautiful" by Jack London

Task #2: Analyze the Development of Two or More Central Ideas

Aligned to: RI.11-12.2

Text #3: “Pavlov's Dogs"

Task #3: Analyze a Complex Sequence of Ideas or Events & Explain Interactions

Aligned to: RI.11-12.3

Text 4: “The Sayings of Tao Te Ching" by Laozi

Task#4: Determine Word and Phrase Meanings as Well as Impact (including figurative and connotative)

Aligned to: RI.11-12.4

Text #5: "Fake It 'til You Make It" (Comparing/Contrasting Steve Jobs and Elizabeth Holmes)

Task #5: Analyze and Evaluate The Effectiveness of Text Structure

Aligned to: RI.11-12.5

Text #6: “How to Win Friends and Influence People" (Excerpts) by Dale Carnegie

Task #6: Analyze How Rhetoric, Content, & Style Contribute to Persuasive Power as well as Advance Point of View and Purpose

Aligned to: RI.11-12.6

Text #7: Become an Energy Star (Part 1) - Multiple Reputable Sources

Task #7A: Analyze Author’s Use of Rhetoric to Advance Point of View and Purpose

Aligned to: RI.11-12.7, RST.11-12.7

Text #7: Become an Energy Star (Part 2) - Multiple Perspectives/Speeches

Task#7B: Integrate and Evaluate Multiple Sources of Information in Multiple Formats & Media to Form a Coherent Understanding

Aligned to: RI.11-12.7, RH.11-12.7

Task #7C: Write an Explanatory/Informative Text and/or An Argument About the Energy Debate

Aligned to: RI.11-12.7, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.2, WHST.11-12.1, WHST.11-12.2

Text #8: “The Four Freedoms" (Excerpts) by Franklin D. Roosevelt

Task #8: Evaluate Argument, Claims, and Reasoning in Seminal U.S. Texts

Aligned to: RI.11-12.8

Text #9: The Bill of Rights

Task #9: Analyze Seminal U.S. Documents of Historic & Literary Significance

Aligned to: RI.11-12.9

Text #10: “Wild Apples” by Thoreau & “I Hear America Singing” by Whitman (Paired)

Task #10: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction

Aligned to: RI.11-12.10

Text Collection 11: Schoolhouse Rock! Videos

Task #11A: Demonstrate Understanding of Figurative Language & Nuances in Meaning

Task #11B: Evaluate Rhetoric Presented in Diverse Media and Formats

Aligned to: L.11-12.5, SL.11-12.2, SL.11-12.3, W.11-12.7

TWELFTH GRADE WORKBOOK CONTENTS:

Text #1A: "You are Brilliant and the Earth is Hiring" by Paul Hawken (Excerpts)

Task1A: Cite Strong and Thorough Text Evidence

Aligned to: RI.11-12.1

Text #2: FDR's Inaugural Address (Excerpt)

Task 2: Analyze Development of Two or More Central Ideas

Aligned to: RI.11-12.2

Text #3: President George W. Bush's Address to the Nation on 9/11

Task 3: Analyze a Complex Sequence of Ideas or Events & Explain Interactions

Aligned to: RI.9-10.3

Text #4A: Wise Old Sayings About Horses

Task 4A: Determine Word Meanings and Impact

Aligned to: RI.11-12.4

Text #4B: Bacteria vs. Viruses

Task 4B: Determine Word Meanings in Scientific/Technical Text

Aligned to: RST.11-12.4

Text #5: "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen (Excerpt)

Task 5: Compare and Contrast Text Structures

Aligned to: RI.11-12.5

Text #6: JFK's Inaugural Address (Excerpt)

Task 6: Analyze How Rhetoric, Content, & Style Contribute to Persuasive Power

Aligned to: RI.11-12.6

Text #7A: Perspectives on Honest Abe

Task 7A: Integrate Multiple Sources of Information in Multiple Formats & Media

Aligned to: RI.11-12.7

Text #7B: Abraham Lincoln's Rhetoric and Legacy

Task 7B: Integrate Multiple Sources of Information in Multiple Formats & Media

Aligned to: SL.11-12.2

Text #8: From Brown V. Board Supreme Court Opinion

Task 8: Evaluate Argument, Claims, and Reasoning in Seminal U.S. Texts

Aligned to: RI.11-12.8

Text #9: President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Task 9: Analyze Seminal U.S. Documents of Historic & Literary Significance

Aligned to: RI.11-12.9

Text #10: President Obama's Dedication at the Lincoln Library

Task 10: Comprehend Literary Nonfiction

Aligned to: RI.11-12.10

Text #11: The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and Bert Esenwein (Excerpts)

Task 11: Demonstrate Understanding of Figurative Language & Nuances in Meaning

Aligned to: L.11-12.5

Task #12: Synthesize information by writing on the topic of Rhetoric & Persuasive Public Speaking. Four writing prompts get students to write: an argument, an explanatory text, a narrative, and a persuasive speech.

Aligned to: W.11-12.1, W.11-12.2, W.11-12.3, W.11-12.8, W.11-12.9

PLUS ANSWER KEYS

AND WRITING CONNECTIONS

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!

NO PREP! COULD BE USED AS HOMEWORK! A GREAT FILLER ACTIVITY!

USE PASSAGES FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSES IF YOU WANT!! (Such as: write a summary, base research/argument on one, vocabulary study, etc.)

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!

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6th-8th Grade High-Interest Informational Text Passages and TASKS - Volume I

6th-8th Grade High-Interest Informational Texts Passages and TASKS - Volume II

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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, 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. ALL TEXT-EVIDENCE BASED

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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