Practice - Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

© Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Name
As I read, I will pay attention to tempo.
The Mojave and Colorado deserts are two entirely
8 different ecosystems that exist side by side. Although they
17 are both arid, they look different, have different weather, and
27 are occupied by different living things.
33 These deserts are different because they are at two
42 different elevations, their height above sea level. The
50 Colorado Desert is below 3,000 feet in elevation. It has less
60 rainfall, fewer plants, and higher temperatures than the
68 Mojave Desert. The Mojave is over 3,000 feet in elevation.
77 It has more rainfall and temperatures can dip below freezing.
87 So Joshua Tree National Park contains two quite different
96 deserts. But the most remarkable thing about this park is
106 the area between the two deserts. This transition area is very
117 thin, generally less than a mile wide. In this slim zone,
128 animals and plants from both sides of the park are abundant.
139 But the cholla (CHOY-uh) cactus rules the zone. Don’t walk
148 too close to this “jumping” cactus or the spiny needles will
159 snag you. Ouch! 162
Comprehension Check
1. Compare and contrast the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Compare
and Contrast
2. What is the transition area? Main Idea and Details
Words Read –
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First Read – =
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At Home: Help the student read the passage paying
attention to the goal at the top of the page.
Practice
Fluency
Words
Correct Score
My Great-Grandmother’s Gourd
Grade 5/Unit 3
99