Differentiated Reading

for Comprehension
Grade 6

Credits
Content Editor: Nancy Rogers Bosse
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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Printed in the USA • All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-4838-0490-3

 Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Amazing Kids
Common Core Alignment Chart . . . . . . . . . 3 A Mind for Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
A Life in Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Wild Animals
Is It a Bird? Is It a Fish?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Amazing People
Don’t Mess with the Honey Badger . . . . . . . 8 The Sun at the Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
World of Peril . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 A Love of the Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Strange and Unexplained Extreme Places

ESP: Fact or Fiction? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Gateway to the Oceans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Mysterious Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Enormous Statues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
The Lost City of Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Time Stood Still . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

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

Flying and Spying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Cars of the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 0.5 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 the unusual puffin or spy planes or the ancient city of
Pompeii? This book will quickly become the go-to resource for differentiated nonfiction reading
practice in your classroom!

2 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

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

* © 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-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 3

 6.RI.4, 6.RI.10, 6.L.4

Is It a Bird? Is It a Fish?
Explorers crossing the Atlantic Ocean saw an extraordinary
creature. It was a fish with wings like a bird! Or, wait; was it a
bird that swam like a fish? This strange creature with a clown-
like beak could be seen using its black wings to dive deep into
the ocean waters or to fly rapidly through the sky. To confuse
matters even more, this unusual “fish bird” made a strange,
growling sound like a mooing cow. The explorers feared this
small beast. They invented stories that this animal had been
born from pieces of wood that came from shipwrecks.
Today, this seabird is no longer feared, in part because
scientists have studied the creature to learn more about it. They
have learned that this animal, now known as the Atlantic puffin,
is a seabird that likes the ice-cold ocean water near Iceland.
These amazing ocean-loving birds seem to fly underwater. They
use their wings to dive deep into the sea where they catch small
fish to eat. A puffin usually catches about 10 fish during one
dive. One scientist saw a puffin catch 62 little fish during a dive! A puffin spends most of
its life on the water. When it is not diving for food, it floats on the cold waves of the sea.
Young puffins spend years at sea without ever coming to land.
The puffin does not always live in the sea. It lives on land when it is hatching and
raising its chicks. The birds like rocky cliffs where they build burrows instead of nests. This
gives them a place to lay eggs out of the cold wind and rain. On land, the puffin is not
as graceful as it is in the water. It waddles out of its burrow and hops from rock to rock.
The puffin can also fly. It flies fast—up to
55 miles per hour (88.51 kmh).
The puffin is about 10 inches tall. Its
feathers are black and white. It has a
big, brightly colored beak. Its orange
webbed feet look like duck feet. It has
yellow eyes. Puffins are often called “sea
parrots.”

extraordinary: beyond what is normal or expected

puffin: a seabird
burrow: shelter made by an animal

4 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

 6.RI.4, 6.RI.10, 6.L.4

Is It a Bird? Is It a Fish?
Explorers discovering new lands across the Atlantic Ocean
saw an extraordinary creature. It was a fish with wings like a bird!
Or, wait; was it a bird that swam like a fish? This strange creature
with a clown-like beak could be seen using its black wings to
dive deep into the ocean waters or to fly rapidly through the
sky. To confuse matters even more, this unusual “fish bird” made
a strange, deep sound like a mooing cow. The explorers feared
this small beast. They invented stories that this animal had been
born from pieces of wood that came from shipwrecks.
Today, these seabirds are no longer feared, in part because
scientists have studied to learn more about them. Now known
as the Atlantic puffin, this seabird enjoys living in the ice-cold
ocean water near Iceland. These amazing ocean-loving birds
seem to fly underwater using their wings to dive deep into the
sea where they feed on small fish. A puffin usually catches
about 10 fish during one dive, although one scientist witnessed
a puffin catching 62 small fish in one dive! A puffin spends most of its life on the water.
When it is not diving for food, it floats on the cold waves of the sea. Young puffins spend
years at sea without ever coming to land.
The puffin does not always live in the sea. It lives on land when it is hatching and
raising its chicks. The birds build burrows instead of nests in the high rocky crags of the
cliffs along the ocean shores. These provide a place to protect their eggs from the cold
wind and rain. In the water, the puffin is quite graceful, but, on the land, it waddles and
hops from rock to rock. The puffin can fly
at speeds up to 55 miles per hour (88.51
kmh).
The puffin is about 10 inches tall. Its
feathers are black and white. It has a
big, brightly colored beak. Its orange
webbed feet look like duck feet. It has
yellow eyes. Puffins are often called “sea
parrots.”

extraordinary: beyond what is normal or expected

puffin: a seabird
burrow: shelter made by an animal

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 5

 6.RI.4, 6.RI.10, 6.L.4

Is It a Bird? Is It a Fish?
Explorers discovering new lands across the Atlantic Ocean
saw an extraordinary creature—a fish that propelled itself
through the ocean waters with wings like a bird! Or, wait; was it a
bird that lived in the ocean waters like a fish? This strange clown-
like creature with its bright orange beak and black feathers was
seen using its wings at one moment to dive deep into the ocean
waters and then to fly rapidly through the sky. To confuse the
explorers even more, this unusual “fish bird” made strange, deep
guttural sounds like a mooing cow. Because the explorers feared
this mythical creature, they invented tales that portrayed it as
rising from pieces of wood from shipwrecks.
Today these seabirds are no longer feared, in part because
scientists have studied to learn more about them. Now known as
the Atlantic puffin, this seabird enjoys a habitat in the ice-cold
ocean water near Iceland. These ocean-loving birds seem to fly
underwater using their wings to dive deep into the sea where they feed on small fish. A
puffin usually catches about 10 fish during one dive, although one scientist witnessed
a puffin catching 62 small fish in one dive! Puffins spend the majority of their lives on
the water. When they are not diving for food, they float contentedly on the cold ocean
waves. Young puffins spend years at sea without ever coming to land.
When it is time to hatch and raise their chicks, the birds build burrows in the high
rocky crags of the cliffs along the ocean edge. These provide a place to protect their
eggs from the cold wind and rain. In the water, puffins are quite graceful, but, on the
land, they waddle and hop from rock to rock.
In the air, puffins can fly at speeds up to 55
miles per hour (88.51 kmh).
The puffin is about 10 inches tall. Its feathers
are black and white. It has a big, brightly
colored beak. Its orange webbed feet look
like duck feet. It has yellow eyes. Puffins are
often called “sea parrots.”

extraordinary: beyond what is normal or expected

propelled: moved through water
guttural: a harsh sound made in the throat
burrow: shelter made by an animal

6 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension

Name ___________________________________ 6.RI.3, 6.W.3, 6.W.6, 6.L.4, 6.L.5

Is It a Bird? Is It a Fish?
Answer the questions.
1. Using words from the passage, write at least two synonyms for extraordinary.
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why did the early explorers fear the puffin?
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Circle two phrases that best describe a puffin.
lives mostly at sea clumsy swimmer land bird fierce fighter
good diver flightless bird scary bird
clown-like fish funny bird slow flyer
4. What simile is used to describe the sound a puffin makes?
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why does the author say that puffins seem to “fly” underwater?
_________________________________________________________________________________
6. When does a puffin live on land? Write your answer in a complete sentence.
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. Write F for fact and O for opinion beside each statement.
_______ Puffins build burrows for their chicks.
_______ Puffins are strange, mythical creatures.
_______ Puffins live for years without coming to land.
_______ Puffins are extraordinary birds.
8. Do you think the name puffin fits this bird? If so, explain. If not, what name would you
use and why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
9. Write three details from the passage that tell what a puffin looks like.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
10. On another sheet of paper, write a story about a puffin. Use facts from the passage
to add descriptive details. Share your writing with an adult and then revise your
story. Publish your story on the computer.

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension 7

 Answer Key
Page 7 cost and availability; 4. T, T, T, F; 5. A; 6. D; 7. Answers will vary
1. strange, unusual, amazing; 2. Answers will vary but may but should be presented as a thoughtful opinion with reasons.
include it was strange looking, flew and dove into the water, 8. Answers will vary but should be presented as a thoughtful
and made strange sounds. 3. lives mostly at sea, good diver; opinion supported with reasons.
4. like a mooing cow; 5. They use their wings to dive deep into Page 39
the sea. 6. A puffin lives on land when it is hatching and raising
its chicks. 7. F, O, F, O; 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will vary 1. Answers will vary but should include facts from the passage.
but may include clown-like beaks, black feathers, and wings. 2. F, T, T, F, T; 3. multiply, solve, figure, compute; 4. determine,
10. Answers will vary. work out, add, subtract, divide; 5. whiz or phenomenon;
6. Answers will vary. 7. Answers will vary. 8. She thought the brain
Page 11 needed to be exercised. 9. Answers will vary.
1. ferocious, menacing, feared, tough; 2. B; 3. a lion at
mealtime; 4. furry; small; sharp teeth; long claws; black, gray, Page 43
and white skunk-striped fur; 5. Many believe the honeyguide 1. A. muscular dystrophy, B. his love of life; 2. A; 3. Answers will
leads the honey badger to the hive and then eats what the vary but could include positive, hard working, a good writer,
honey badger leaves behind. 6. Its long claws help it dig up and inspirational. 4. He spoke at events for MD, helped raise
small animals or eggs underground and climb trees for fruit. Its money for research, and inspired others. 5. The author probably
sharp teeth help it rip open melons. Its scent gland stuns the just knew about Mattie because there is no reference to
bees. 7. Answers will vary. 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will knowing him or personal stories. 6. Answers will vary. 7. Answers
vary. will vary. 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will vary. 10. Answers will
vary.
Page 15
1. C; 2. F, T, F, T; 3. an egg tooth, or small horn, on its beak; Page 47
4. crabs, coyotes, dogs, fish; 5. It can grow to be 500 pounds 1. B; 2. Answers will vary but could include that he looked for
(226.8 kg). 6. A; 7. Answers will vary but should include leashing proof, he improved the telescope, and he documented his
their pets, not littering, and pulling in fishing nets. 8. Answers will observations. 3. B; 4. changes in the night sky, mountains on the
vary. 9. Answers will vary. moon, stars in the Milky Way, shadows on Venus; 5. Answers will
vary. 6. Answers will vary. 7. Answers will vary. 8. Answers will vary.
Page 19
1. C; 2. O, O, F, F; 3. B; 4. Some people thought that the results Page 51
could be based on coincidence or luck. 5. A. science, B. sense, 1. Answers will vary but could include that he loved looking at
C. incident; 6. subjects; 7. to show the meaning of the acronym the ocean and wading in it, he studied the ocean in college,
that will replace the term; 8. because it gathers information and he joined the US Navy. 2. T, T, F, F; 3. A. he, B. they, C. it;
without using sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell; 9. Answers will 4. Robert wanted to find the Titanic—the great ship that sank
vary. on its first voyage—and had dreamed of finding it for years. Or,
Robert wanted to find the Titanic—the huge ocean liner that
Page 23 sank in 1912 on its first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean—and
1. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the Pacific Ocean had dreamed of finding it for years. 5. oceanographer, one
between Miami, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda where many boats who writes about the ocean; 6. submarine, an underwater ship;
and ships have disappeared without explanation. 2. A; 3. S, 7. Answers will vary. 8. Answers will vary. 9. Answers will vary.
U, S, U; 4. Answers will vary, but a possible answer includes:
People think that UFOs are to blame. 5. Answers will vary, but a Page 55
possible answer includes: Scientists think that the mystery of the 1. D; 2. The Panama Canal was built to shorten the long,
Bermuda Triangle can be explained by the weather. 6. Answers dangerous trip between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic
will vary. 7. Answers will vary. 8. Answers will vary. Ocean. 3. There is only 50 miles (80 km) of land separating the
two oceans. 4. A, B, D; 5. B; 6. F, T, T, F; 7. Answers will vary.
Page 27 8. Answers will vary.
1. D; 2. Answers will vary but should include challenges Fawcett
Page 59
faced in the rain forest. 3. B; 4. C; 5. The Lost City of Z was said
1. C; 2. The hills were bare, and they were lined with huge
to be older than the pyramids in Egypt, built of stone, and have
statues. 3. Clues showed that people made boats from trees
mines filled with gold. 6. Answers will vary. 7. C; 8. Answers will
and that they made rope from trees. 4. B; 5. huge, giant,
vary. 9. Answers will vary. 10. Answers will vary.
massive; Additional synonyms will vary. 6. barren; 7. green and
Page 31 covered with forests before the statues; bare, barren, ominous,
1. C; 2. Answers will vary but should include cited evidence. haunted after the statues; 8. Answers will vary.
3. A; 4. radar, sensors to pick up messages, dish antennas,
Page 63
cameras; 5. small, weighs three pounds (1.36 kg), can be
1. Answers will vary. 2. F, F, T, F; 3. 3, 1, 5, 4, 2; 4. a hard, closed
launched remotely, unmanned, can fly through windows, takes
tomb; 5. Answers will vary but may include that good digging
pictures inside buildings; 6. Answers will vary. 7. Answers will vary.
equipment was not invented yet. 6. houses, paintings, bodies;
8. sixth-grade students; 9. Answers will vary but may include the
7. The ash and the mud had protected the city. 8. first, next,
vocabulary used, style of writing, and that it is in a sixth-grade
then, finally; 9. Answers will vary.
reading book. 10. Answers will vary.
Page 35
1. Scientists are looking for other ways to power cars that would
cost less and be better for the environment. 2. Pros: good for the
environment, technology already available; Cons: time it takes
to recharge the battery; 3. Pros: don’t need to be recharged,
go farther without needing more fuel, do not pollute; Cons:

64 © Carson-Dellosa . CD-104618 . Differentiated Reading for Comprehension