📖 Reading Passage

The Community Garden That Could

Last spring, the students at Oak Street School faced a big problem. Their old garden was full of weeds and rocks. The soil was hard as a rock, and nothing would grow.

"Don't throw in the towel yet!" said Ms. Garcia, their teacher. She had a plan to turn their garden around.

First, the students worked together to clear the weeds. Then, they added rich, dark soil and compost. They planted corn, beans, and squash in neat rows. By summer, their garden was the talk of the town!

The students learned that hard work pays off. They sold their vegetables at the school fair and earned $250 for new garden tools. Now other schools want to start their own gardens too.

📝 Part 1: Reading Comprehension

🔤 Part 2: Word Study

spring paid garden play rain plant

a. g___den (ar sound)

b. w___k (or sound)

c. c___n (or sound)

d. summ___ (er sound)

🎯 Teacher Notes - Differentiation Strategies

For students with dyslexia:

• Use colored overlays or highlight alternate lines

• Read passage aloud or provide audio version

• Allow extended time for completion

• Provide word bank for fill-in questions

• Use larger font size (14pt minimum)

• Break questions into smaller chunks