Comprehension and Fluency

Comprehension and Fluency Name Read the passage. Use the make, confirm, or revise predictions strategy to predict what will happen in the story.

Coyote’s Song A boy was eating lunch in a field on his grandmother’s farm as 13 he thought about all the interesting things he had seen that morning. 25 His grandmother’s farm was so large that it would take him days 37 to explore and walk around. “Do not wander into the woods,” 48 Grandmother had warned, so the boy kept to the fields. 58 As he ate his lunch, he heard the call of a blue jay. “I’ll follow the 74 sound of Blue Jay. When I find him, I will admire his blue feathers and 88 listen to his song. After his song, I’ll give him my bread.” 101 The afternoon sun was beating down on the boy. There were many 113 hills to climb, so the boy moved slowly and cautiously. 123 Soon he ran into Coyote who was looking for lunch but was not 136 having any luck finding a single morsel, or crumb. 145 “Hello, there,” said Coyote. “I see you are enjoying an afternoon 156 walk.” 157 “I’ve been exploring Grandmother’s farm all morning long, and 166 now I’m looking for Blue Jay. I want to listen to his song, see his 181 beautiful feathers, and give him some of my bread.” 190 Coyote took one look at the thick slice of bread and became hungrier. 202 Quietly, he muttered to himself, “I will trick that boy, then I’ll have the 214 bread all for myself.” Coyote said, “If you want to hear a song, I can 229 perform for you, and then I can have your bread.” 242 “But your howling and barking isn’t a song, and your fur isn’t much 255 to look at,” said the boy. “I want to hear Blue Jay’s song and admire his 270 blue feathers. Sadly, I only have enough bread for one.” 281 Coyote’s original plan didn’t work, so he thought of a new one. Practice • Grade 4 • Unit 1 • Week 1 3 Comprehension and Fluency Name

“I’ll help you find Blue Jay,” said Coyote. “I know where he sings, and I can take you there through the woods.” The boy remembered Grandmother’s warning, but Coyote seemed to know his way around the woods. What was the harm, he thought to himself. “All right, let’s go,” said the boy. “We must run because Blue Jay will depart soon, and then he’ll be gone,” said Coyote. Coyote began running through the woods calling out for the boy to run faster and faster. The boy did not want to miss Blue Jay, yet the faster he ran the more he tripped and stumbled. The woods became thicker and thicker, making it harder for the boy to run. Accustomed to running in the woods, Coyote was used to jumping over tree roots and dead branches, so he didn’t fall. “Hurry! Blue Jay will soon fly away!” Coyote yelled. “You could run faster if you were not burdened by having to carry that bread. I can carry it for you. Then you can run faster, little friend,” said Coyote. “If you think that will help,” said the boy. “Here, take the bread.” Coyote took the bread in his mouth and quickly disappeared. “Thanks for the meal!” Coyote howled as he devoured the bread. The boy had been tricked, and now he was lost in the woods. By evening he found his way back to Grandmother’s home and explained to her what happened. “You should know that leaving the right path to follow an easier one will only lead to trouble,” said Grandmother. “Luckily, you have only lost some old, stale bread.”

4 Practice • Grade 4 • Unit 1 • Week 1 Comprehension: Sequence and Fluency Name

A. Reread the passage and answer the questions.

1. What happens immediately after the boy hears Blue Jay?

2. How is the setting of the woods helpful to the plot?

3. Would the plot be as exciting if Coyote took the bread before tricking the boy? Why or why not?

B. Work with a partner. Read the passage aloud. Pay attention to intonation. Stop after one minute. Fill out the chart.

Number of Words Correct Words Read – = Errors Score First Read – = Second Read – =

Practice • Grade 4 • Unit 1 • Week 1 5