Courageous Journeys: STAAR-Style Paired Reading for Grade 5
A STAAR-style paired reading packet with two connected passages, 10 multiple-choice questions, and an extended constructed response asking students to explain how the main characters are similar. It builds close reading, vocabulary in context, and evidence-based informational writing, and works well as a 60 to 75 minute testing-practice block or a small-group comparison activity.
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a timed practice session that mirrors the STAAR format, or split it across two days with passages and multiple-choice questions first and the constructed response after.
- Discussion question: What challenge does each character face, and how does each one respond to it with perseverance or determination?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the vocabulary (polio, perseverance, determination), then have students underline one sentence per passage that shows the character's feelings before answering the questions.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to compare how the authors use setting or dialogue to reveal character, then write a thesis that goes beyond the surface similarities.
- Estimated time: about 60 to 75 minutes for the full packet, including the constructed response.
Courageous Journeys: STAAR-Style Paired Reading for Grade 5
A STAAR-style paired reading packet with two connected passages, 10 multiple-choice questions, and an extended constructed response asking students to explain how the main characters are similar. It builds close reading, vocabulary in context, and evidence-based informational writing, and works well as a 60 to 75 minute testing-practice block or a small-group comparison activity.
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a timed practice session that mirrors the STAAR format, or split it across two days with passages and multiple-choice questions first and the constructed response after.
- Discussion question: What challenge does each character face, and how does each one respond to it with perseverance or determination?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach the vocabulary (polio, perseverance, determination), then have students underline one sentence per passage that shows the character's feelings before answering the questions.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to compare how the authors use setting or dialogue to reveal character, then write a thesis that goes beyond the surface similarities.
- Estimated time: about 60 to 75 minutes for the full packet, including the constructed response.