Differentiated Reading

for Comprehension
Grade 4

Credits
Content Editor: Christine Schwab
Copy Editor: Karen Seberg
Illustrations: Nick Greenwood, Donald O’Connor

Visit carsondellosa.com for correlations to Common Core, state, national, and Canadian provincial
standards.

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Greensboro, NC 27425 USA
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© 2014, Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC. The purchase of this material entitles the buyer to reproduce worksheets and
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Dellosa Publishing, LLC.

Printed in the USA • All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-4838-0486-6

 Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Amazing Kids
Common Core Alignment Chart . . . . . . . . . 3 Behind the Bookcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
The Gravity of Childhood . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Wild Animals
Brilliant Bait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Amazing People
Wow! That’s Fast! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A Mind for New Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Living Large, Lizard Style . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Racing for the Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Strange and Unexplained Extreme Places

Footprints in the Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Extreme Erosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Monster in the Loch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Terrific Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Where Is Amelia? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Secrets of Giza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Fascinating Machines Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Fly Me to the Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
The Machines That Found the Titanic . . . . . .32

Introduction
Providing all students access to high quality, nonfiction text is essential to Common Core State
Standards mastery. This book contains exactly what teachers are looking for: high-interest nonfiction
passages, each written at three different reading levels, followed by a shared set of text-dependent
comprehension questions and a writing prompt to build content knowledge. Both general academic
and domain-specific vocabulary words are reinforced at the end of each passage for further
comprehension support. The standards listed on each page provide an easy reference tool for lesson
planning and the Common Core Alignment chart on page 3 allows you to target or remediate specific
skills.

The book is comprised of 15 stories that are written at three levels:

• Below level (one dot beside the page number): 1 to 1.5 levels below grade level
• On level (two dots beside the page number): 0 to .5 levels below grade level
• Advanced (three dots beside the page number): 1 to 2 levels above grade level

Which students will not enjoy reading about a 200-pound (90.71 kg) lizard or the mysterious Loch
Ness Monster or how Anne Frank hid for two years behind a bookcase? This will quickly become the
go-to resource for differentiated nonfiction reading practice in your classroom!

2 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

 Common Core Alignment Chart
Common Core State Standards* Practice Pages
Reading Standards for Informational Text
7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55,
Key Ideas and Details 4.RI.1–4.RI.3
59
4–6, 7, 8–10, 11, 12–14, 15, 16–18, 19, 20–22,
Craft and Structure 4.RI.4–4.RI.6 24–26, 28–30, 31, 32–34, 36–38, 39, 40–42,
43, 44–46, 47, 48–50, 52–54, 56–58, 60–62
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 4.RI.7–4.RI.9 19, 23, 59, 63
4–6, 8–10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26,
Range of Reading and Level of Text
4.RI.10 28–30, 32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50,
Complexity
52–54, 56–58, 60–62
Reading Standards: Foundational Skills
Phonics and Word Recognition 4.RF.3 43, 63
4–6, 8–10, 11, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26,
Fluency 4.RF.4 28–30, 32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50,
52–54, 56–58, 60–62, 63
Writing Standards
Text Types and Purposes 4.W.1–4.W.3 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 55, 59, 63
Production and Distribution of Writing 4.W.4–4.W.6 27, 31, 51
Language Standards
Conventions of Standard English 4.L.1–4.L.2 7, 19, 47, 51, 55, 63
Knowledge of Language 4.L.3 23
4–6, 8–10, 11, 12–14, 15, 16–18, 20–22, 23,
24–26, 27, 28–30, 32–34, 35, 36–38, 40–42,
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 4.L.4–4.L.6
44–46, 48–50, 51, 52–54, 55, 56–58, 59,
60–62

* © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All
rights reserved.

How to Use This Alignment Chart

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts are a shared set of expectations
for each grade level in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. They define
what students should understand and be able to do. This chart presents the standards that are
covered in this book.

Use this chart to plan your instruction, practice, or remediation of a specific standard. To do this, first
choose your targeted standard; then, find the pages listed on the chart that correlate to the standard
you are teaching. Finally, assign the reading pages and follow-up questions to practice the skill.

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 3

 4.RI.4, 4.RI.10, 4.RF.4, 4.L.4

Brilliant Bait
Have you ever seen a clown fish? You
probably have. The clown fish has bright
stripes and colors just like a clown. That is
probably where it got its name. There are
many different patterns and colors on the
bodies of clown fish. The most common is
orange with white and black stripes.
A real clown fish is not funny. The clown
fish is a fish to be feared. It protects its
home and its eggs with care. The female
clown fish lays between 300 and 700 eggs
at one time. But, the male clown fish takes
care of the eggs. He watches them until
they hatch. One strange thing about
clown fish is that they can change gender.
If a female dies or is killed, the male can
change into a female in a few weeks.
Then, it mates with a male and keeps
laying eggs.
The clown fish has a strange home. It lives in the tentacles, or arms, of a sea animal
called an anemone. These two animals have made a deal with each other. The
anemone doesn’t eat the clown fish and provides a safe home. In return, the clown fish
does three things for the anemone. It cleans the anemone’s tentacles, eating leftover
bits of food. It guards the anemone against some enemies. And, it acts as bait. The
clown fish’s bright stripes draw other fish to the deadly tentacles. The anemone stings
these fish and eats them. The “friendship” between these two sea animals works very
well for both of them.
Where in the world does the clown fish live? It can be found in the seas near India,
Indonesia, and Australia. Each bright, strong little fish always lives with the same sea
anemone, never leaving its side.

clown fish: a small tropical fish that is bright orange, usually with one or more
white stripes
tentacles: arms that usually lead from the head or around the mouth of animals
anemone: a sea animal whose body is surrounded by petal-like tentacles

4 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

 4.RI.4, 4.RI.10, 4.RF.4, 4.L.4

Brilliant Bait
Have you ever seen a clown fish? You
probably have. The clown fish has bright
stripes and colors just like a clown. That is
probably where it got its name. There are
many different patterns and colors on the
bodies of clown fish. The most common is
orange with white and black stripes.
A real clown fish is not funny. The clown fish
is a fierce fish, a fish to be feared. It protects
its home and its eggs with care. The female
clown fish lays between 300 and 700 eggs
at one time. But, the male clown fish takes
care of the eggs. He watches them until they
hatch. One strange thing about clown fish
is that they can change gender. If a female
dies or is killed, the male can change into a
female in a few weeks. Then, it mates with a
male and keeps laying eggs.
The clown fish has a strange home. It lives in the tentacles, or arms, of a sea animal
called an anemone. These two animals have made a deal with each other. The
anemone doesn’t eat the clown fish and provides a safe home. In return, the clown fish
does three things for the anemone. It cleans the anemone’s tentacles, eating leftover
bits of food. It guards the anemone against some enemies. And, it acts as bait. The
clown fish’s bright stripes draw other fish to the deadly tentacles. The anemone stings
these fish and eats them. The “friendship” between these two sea animals works very
well for both of them.
Where in the world does the clown fish live? It can be found in the seas near India,
Indonesia, and Australia. Each bright, strong little fish always lives with the same sea
anemone, never leaving its side.

clown fish: a small tropical fish that is bright orange, usually with one or more
white stripes
tentacles: arms that usually lead from the head or around the mouth of animals,
especially invertebrates
anemone: a sea animal whose body is surrounded by petal-like tentacles

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 4.RI.4, 4.RI.10, 4.RF.4, 4.L.4

Brilliant Bait
Have you ever seen a clown fish? You probably
have and recognize it as Nemo from the movie called
Finding Nemo This interesting and colorful fish is also
known as the clown anemonefish. Its genus name is
Amphiprion. The clown fish has wide, bright stripes
and distinctive colors that resemble the costume of
a clown. That is probably where it got its name. There
are many different patterns and colors on the bodies
of clown fish. The most common coloration is orange
with white and black stripes.
A real clown fish is not amusing like its namesake.
The clown fish is a fierce and vigilant fish. It protects
its home and its eggs with great care. The female
clown fish lays between 300 and 700 eggs at one
time. But, the male clown fish takes care of the eggs. He watches them until they hatch.
One strange and interesting thing about clown fish is that they can change gender. If
a female dies or is killed, the male can change into a female in a few weeks. Then, it
mates with a male and keeps laying eggs.
The clown fish has an unusual home. It lives in the tentacles, or arms, of a
multicolored sea animal called an anemone. These two animals have struck a deal
with each other in order to accommodate each other’s needs. The anemone doesn’t
eat the clown fish and provides protection and a safe home. In return, the clown fish
does three things for the anemone. It cleans the anemone’s tentacles, eating whatever
leftover bits of food lodge there. It also guards the anemone against its predators. And
lastly, it acts as bait. The clown fish’s bright stripes draw other fish to the deadly tentacles
of the anemone. The anemone stings these fish and eats them. The odd and unlikely
“friendship” between these two sea animals benefits them both.
Where in the world does the clown fish live? It can be found in the seas near India,
Indonesia, and Australia. Each bright, strong little fish always lives with the same sea
anemone, never leaving its side. They are partners for life.

clown fish: a small tropical fish that is bright orange usually with one or more
white stripes
genus name: labels a class, kind, or group with common characteristics
vigilant: alert, particularly to avoid danger
anemone: a sea animal whose body is surrounded by petal-like tentacles

6 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

Name ___________________________________ 4.RI.1, 4.RI.2, 4.RI.5, 4.W.3, 4.L.1, 4.L.2

Brilliant Bait
Answer the questions.
1. How many eggs can a female clown fish lay at one time? Write your answer in a
complete sentence.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Choose the word that best completes this sentence:
Another word for tentacles is _______.
A. spurs B. hands C. arms D. eyes
Write T for true or F for false.
3. _______ The clown fish can change gender.
4. _______ A female clown fish lays 5,000 eggs at a time.
5. _______ Anemones kill clown fish for food.
6. _______ The anemone uses its tentacles to sting fish.
7. _______ All clown fish are orange with white and black stripes.
8. Which of the following does not describe the clown fish?
A. brightly colored B. timid C. funny D. B. and C.
9. Finish the sentences to list the three things that a clown fish does for a sea
anemone.
A. It cleans the anemone’s _________________________________________________ .
B. It guards the anemone against ___________________________________________ .
C. It acts as _________________________________ to attract food for the anemone.
10. How did the clown fish probably get its name? Write your answer in a complete
sentence.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
11. What is the main idea of this story? What details help you answer this question?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
12. Imagine you are deep underwater looking at the bottom of the ocean. On a
separate sheet of paper, describe what you might see.

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 7

 Answer Key
Page 7 Page 39
1. A female clown fish lays 300 to 700 eggs at one time. 2. C; 1. D; 2. Answers will vary but may include: Anne and her family
3. T; 4. F; 5. F; 6. T; 7. F; 8. D; 9. A. tentacles; B. some enemies; had to hide from the Nazis because they were Jews. 3. A; 4. F;
C. bait; 10. The clown fish has bright colors and stripes like a 5. T; 6. F; 7. T; 8. T; 9. Answers will vary but should provide a
clown. 11. Answers will vary but should include information to correct chronology. 10. Answers will vary but should include
explain the main idea of the story. 12. Answers will vary. linking words.

Page 11 Page 43
1. B; 2. C; 3. C; 4. No one ever saw them perch. 5. Answers will 1. Gravity; 2. Christmas Day, 1642; 3. learner; 4. kites;
vary but may include: minute, tiny, smallest bird in the world, 5. grandmother; 6. T; 7. F; 8. F; 9. T; 10. B; 11. Answers will vary
pea-sized eggs, nest is only about two inches (5.08 cm) wide; but must include five or more compound words from the story.
6. D; 7. fast wings, pea-sized eggs, split tongue; 8. Answers will 12. Answers will vary but should present an opinion, reasons,
vary but should be in simile or metaphor form. 9. Answers will and a concluding statement.
vary but should include details from the story. 10. Answers will
vary but should come from multiple sources. Page 47
1. A patent is a notice from the government. It says that
Page 15 someone owns an idea, and it is protected so that others
1. B; 2. D; 3. B; 4. B; 5. A; 6. D; 7. C; 8. Answers will vary but cannot copy it. 2. C; 3. F; 4. F; 5. T; 6. F; 7. T; 8. D; 9. C; 10. D;
should include details from the story. 9. Answers will vary but 11. Edison worked to bring lighting to homes, streets, and
should include comparisons. stores. 12. Answers will vary but must include transitional words.

Page 19 Page 51
1. A yeti is a wild, furry man who lives in the mountains. 2. C; 1. C; 2. D; 3. The trip was inspired by Jules Verne’s book Around
3. T; 4. F; 5. F; 6. T; 7. F; 8. B; 9. D; 10. B; 11. Answers will vary but the World in Eighty Days. 4. stubborn, driven, talented; 5. D;
should include details from the story. 12. Answers will vary. 6. B; 7. A; 8. Answers will vary.
Check for correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Page 55
Page 23 1. D; 2. C; 3. A; 4. five; 5. Colorado; 6. six million; 7. one mile
1. D; 2. D; 3. Answers will vary but may include: huge, giant, (1.6 km); 8. A; 9. The Grand Canyon has five different life zones
dark, as big as a bus, can swim like a seal, looks like a dinosaur because it is so large and deep. The different elevations have
(small head, long neck) 4. model, toy submarine; 5. C; 6. B; different climates, or kinds of weather, and different amounts
7. Answers will vary. 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will vary. of water. 10. Answers will vary. Check for correct punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization.
Page 27
1. B; 2. D; 3. Answers will vary but may include: brave, talented, Page 59
famous, courageous; 4. A; 5. C; 6. B; 7. C; 8. Answers will vary. 1. Tides; 2. Wolfville; 3. a few feet (a meter); 4. 45, (13.72); 5. D;
9. Answers will vary but should include review and revision. 6. B; 7. A; 8. Answers will vary. 9. The tide is out. You might also
see people and birds. 10. Answers will vary but must include
Page 31 an introduction and conclusion.
1. B; 2. D; 3. A; 4. A; 5. the White Knight; 6. space station; 7. a
special type of gas; 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will vary Page 63
but must correlate to answers in question 8. 10. Answers will 1. B; 2. B; 3. Answers will vary but may include: when they were
vary but need to be typed and shared. built, how they were built, how long it took to build them; 4. C;
5. C; 6. Answers will vary. 7. Student will read the passage
Page 35 aloud at least twice. 8. Answers will vary but should include
the student’s opinion and reasons.
1. C; 2. D; 3. Answers will vary but may include: Argo is like a
big underwater sled. Argo uses sonar to look at the ocean
floor and cameras. 4. D; 5. A; 6. C; 7. D; 8. Answers will vary
but should incorporate additional research and include an
illustration.

64 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104616 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension