Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Passages — Grade 4
Ten problem solving reading comprehension passages give your Grade 4 readers real dilemmas to study, from a damaged art show to the way Roman engineers moved water into cities, at F&P levels Q–S.
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About this resource
Ten problem solving reading comprehension passages give your Grade 4 readers real dilemmas to study, from a damaged art show to the way Roman engineers moved water into cities, at F&P levels Q–S. The set builds creative thinking and persistence under Responsible Decision-Making, a CASEL competency, so the next stalled group plan has models to draw on.
What students practice
- Thinking like an engineer
- Weighing honesty inside a problem
- Planning a solution to an environmental issue
- Resolving a group conflict with clear communication
- Seeing how problems get solved in history
What’s inside
- 10 passages at F&P levels Q–S, from narrative nonfiction and an engineering guide to science and historical texts
- 5 multiple-choice questions per passage
- 2 open-ended questions per passage for written answers or discussion
- Answer key for all 50 multiple-choice questions
- 34 pages, including an overview of the passages with F&P level, text type and SEL focus
A look inside
- The Art Show Dilemma: narrative nonfiction on ethical problem solving and honesty.
- The Plastic Straw Problem: an environmental issue with solution planning.
- Problem Solving in Ancient Times: The Roman Aqueducts: a historical feature on innovative design.
- The Fix-It Club: A Student-Led Repair Program: a student feature on creative initiative.
- How the Underground Railroad Worked: a historical event that calls for strategic planning, empathy and courage.
How to use these problem solving reading passages
- Guided reading groups at levels Q–S
- Partner reading, with the open-ended questions as a talk prompt
- SEL reading comprehension: read “How to Think Like an Engineer” and talk about how engineers work through a problem
- Independent practice or homework, checked with the answer key
Grade fit
These reading passages with questions are written for Grade 4, with levels rising from Q to S. Aqueducts, a town saving water and bees solving problems together suit fourth graders ready for science and history in their SEL reading, and the S-level pieces stretch strong readers.
Digital version
With the interactive digital version, you share one link and students read each passage and answer the questions on any device, with no student logins. At the end they download an answer sheet to hand in.
Pairs well with
To move from reading about problem solving to practicing it, add Problem Solving What Would You Do? Cards or Problem Solving Role Play Scenarios.
Questions teachers ask
Which reading levels does the Grade 4 problem solving set cover?
The ten passages run from F&P level Q to S. Text types include narrative nonfiction, how-to, informational, historical feature.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. The key covers all 50 multiple-choice questions in the Grade 4 problem solving set. The open-ended questions have no fixed answer.
Can students read the problem solving passages on a device?
Yes, through the digital version. You share one link and students open it on any device without logging in.
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