Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Passages — Grade 5
Fifth-grade problems rarely resolve in one class period.
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About this resource
Fifth-grade problems rarely resolve in one class period. These problem solving reading comprehension passages show Grade 5 readers how others broke big challenges into workable steps, from a missing costume backstage to Shackleton’s Antarctic crew, in ten texts at F&P levels S–V. The set builds collaboration under Responsible Decision-Making, a CASEL competency.
What students practice
- Breaking a big problem into steps and managing overwhelm
- Solving a problem through respectful communication
- Seeing how engineers test and plan
- Understanding roles and leadership in a group
- Looking at accessibility and equity as problem solving
What’s inside
- 10 passages at F&P levels S–V, from narrative nonfiction and STEM features to historical and accessibility 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
- 35 pages, including an overview of the passages with F&P level, text type and SEL focus
A look inside
- The Debate Dilemma: narrative nonfiction on solving a problem through respectful communication.
- How Bridges Don’t Collapse: Lessons from Real Engineers: a STEM feature on planning and testing.
- How a School Solved Its Digital Divide: a news feature on community-scale problem solving and equity.
- Antarctica Survival: The Shackleton Expedition: a historical event about high-stakes leadership.
- How Blind Students Read: The Braille System: an accessibility feature that treats innovation as problem solving.
How to use these problem solving reading passages
- Guided reading groups at levels S–V
- Partner reading, with the open-ended questions as a discussion prompt
- SEL reading comprehension: read “How to Break Down a Big Problem” and talk about turning a big challenge into workable steps
- Independent practice or homework, checked with the answer key
Grade fit
These reading passages with questions are written for Grade 5, with levels climbing from S to V. Problems range from the personal to the global, which suits readers at the top of elementary, and the V-level braille piece stretches 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
On the same topic, Problem Solving Task Cards and Problem Solving Scenario Cards give older readers more problem solving activities.
Questions teachers ask
Which reading levels does the Grade 5 problem solving set cover?
The ten passages run from F&P level S to V. Text types include narrative nonfiction, how-to, first-person reflection, informational.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. The key covers all 50 multiple-choice questions in the Grade 5 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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