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Benchmark 3

progress monitoringDIBELS

DIBELS is a registered trademark of Dynamic Measurement Group, Inc. Visit our website at www.dibels.org. Revised 12/30/10

DIBELS® Next Student MaterialsOral Reading Fluency/Level 4

Progress Monitoring

Roland H. Good III

Ruth A. Kaminski

with:

Kelli Cummings, Chantal Dufour-Martel, Kathleen Petersen,

Kelly Powell-Smith, Stephanie Stollar, and Joshua Wallin

Dynamic Measurement Group, Inc.

®

Copyright 2011 Dynamic Measurement GroupAll rights reserved

DIBELS® Progress Monitoring Page 1

Benchmark 3

Oral Reading Fluency L4/Progress Monitoring 1

An Island Festival

Everyoneontheislandhelpedgetthevillagereadyforthebig

festival.Workingtogetherwaspartoftheislandway.Kiriandherfamily

helpedtosweepthewalkwaysofthevillage.Otherfamiliespickedup

litterandgroomedgardens.Somerepairedoldbuildingsaroundtown.

Theyallwantedtheirislandtolookitsbestfortheguestswhowould

soonarrivefromalloverthePacific.

Kiriwashappythattheplacelookedsonice,butshewasevenmore

excitedaboutthefestivaltocome.Herislandhadbeenchosentohostthe

bigevent.Peoplewereeagertosharetheirislandhomeandtotreattheir

gueststowonderfulfeasts.Kiri’smouthwateredwhenshethoughtofthe

bigplattersoffoodtheywouldserve.Therewouldbetablespiledhigh

withfruit,seaweed,fish,andcoconuts.

Thebestpartofthefestivalwouldbetheshowwhendancersfrom

eachcountrywouldperformintraditionalcostumes.Kiriwasinagroup

thatwastodanceonthefirstnight.Hercostumewasmadeofaspecial

cloththatwasmadefromthebarkofmulberrytrees.Ithadflowersand

leavespaintedonitandsheknewshewouldtreasurethebeautifuldress

longafterthedancewasover.

Onopeningnight,ahugecrowdcametoseetheshow.Dancersfrom

eachcountryparadedintothestadiumandsatonthegroundaroundthe

stage.Kiri’sgroupwentonfirstandperformedaspiritedsonganddance.

ThecrowdstoodandcheeredsoloudlythatKiricouldn’tstopsmiling.

Hergroupleftthestageandthenotherdancersperformed.Astheother

groupsdanced,sheadmiredtheircolorfulcostumesandlivelyrhythms.

Everyonecheeredhappilyforeachofthedancinggroups.Peoplefrom

manydifferentplaceschattedandlaughedwithoneanother.Kiribeamed

withhappiness.Sheknewshewouldrememberthisnightalways.


Benchmark 3


Exploring South America

Imaginebeingsofaroutinspacethatthecontinentslooklikegreen

andbrownshapesonablueball.Ifyoulookcarefully,you’llseeone

belowNorthAmericathat’sshapedlikeawobblyicecreamcone.It’s

wideatthetopandpointedatthebottom.That’sSouthAmerica.

Zoomincloserandyou’llseethatthesurfaceofSouthAmericais

likeabigbowl.Themiddleofthecontinentisthescoopedoutpartof

thebowl.Itisgrasslandordesertinsomeplacesandrainforestinothers.

Thesidesofthebowlaremountainrangesneareachcoast.Thetallest

ones,theAndes,rundownthewesternside.Theyaresteepandjagged,

andmanyofthepeaksarevolcanoes.Themountainsinthenorthand

eastarelowerbuthavemanysteepdropsthatcreatebeautifulwaterfalls.

Togetabetterlookatthefalls,moveclosertotheplanet.You’ll

easilyspotAngelFallsinthenorthernpartofSouthAmerica.It’sthe

tallestwaterfallonEarth.Inthetimeittakesadropofwatertofallfrom

thetopofthefallstothebottom,youcouldsingthewholealphabet

song!You’llalsoseealargerivercalledtheAmazon.Itstretchestwo

thousandmilesfromtheAndestotheAtlanticOceanandprovideswater

toalmostone-thirdofSouthAmerica.

Nowimaginebeingjustabovethetreetops.You’recloseenough

toseethatthereislittlelifeinthedesertofthenorthwest.It’soneof

thedriestplacesonEarthandneverreceivesrain.Butifyougotothe

Amazonrainforest,you’llfindmorekindsofwildlifethananyplace

elseintheworld.Moveupintothemountains,andyou’llseebearsand

animalsalotlikellamas.Beforeyouleave,besuretogotothesouthern

tipofthecontinenttoseethepenguins.

Thisquicktripisover,butthere’smuchmoretoknowaboutSouth

America.Ifyoufeellikeexploring,yournexttripisascloseasthe

library.


Benchmark 3


A Gift from the Past

Itwasthemiddleofsummerandtoohottoplayoutside.Carmen

triedtothinkofsomethinginterestingtodo.Hermothersuggested

readingabookorstartingajigsawpuzzle.ButCarmenwantedtodo

somethingnew.Hermotherthoughtforaminuteandthendisappeared

downthehall.Shereturnedwithalong,slenderboxandexplainedthat

itheldanheirloomthathadbeeninthefamilyformanygenerations.

Carmenremovedthelidandfoundathickstickwitharowofholes

carvedintoit.Hermotherexplainedthatitwasaflutemadefromapiece

ofbamboo.

“YourancestorsplayedthisflutelongagointhemountainsofPeru,”

shesaid.“Itmakesasweet,hauntingsoundunlikethatofanyother

flute.”

Carmenfelthowsmoothandworntheflutewasfrombeingheldand

playedbymanydifferenthands.Itmadeherwishshecouldhaveknown

theancestorswhoplayedit.

Hermotherdemonstratedhowtoholdtheflute.Carmennotedhow

sherestedtheendofthefluteonherchinwithitsopeningnearher

bottomlip.Hermotherblewgentlyandraisedandloweredherfingers,

creatingabeautifulmelody.Carmenlovedthesoundsomuchshe

couldn’twaittotryitherself.Sheblewandblewbutcouldn’tmakeany

soundcomeout.Withhermother’scoaching,shelearnedtotightenher

lipsintoalittlehalfsmileandtoblowmoregently.Afterafewmore

attempts,shewasabletoblowoneclearnote.

Carmenspenttherestofthesummerplayingherflute.Shepracticed

coveringanduncoveringdifferentholestocreatedifferentnotes.When

shecouldplayallthenotesclearly,hermothertaughtherashortsong.

Afterdaysofpractice,Carmencouldfinallyplayitthroughsmoothly.As

sheplayed,sheimaginedherselfinthemountainsmakingmusicwithher

ancestors.“Didtheyeverimaginesomeonelikeme,playingthisflutefar

inthefuture?”shewondered.Itmadehersmiletothinkthatmaybethey

had.


Benchmark 3


A Home for Freckles

Afriendlycolliepokedhisspottedmuzzlethroughthebarsofhis

kennelandwaggedhistail.Emilypettedhimandthoughtwhataperfect

playmatehewouldbeforherdog,Hal.Shewishedshecouldtakehim

home.

Emilywenttohelpherfatherputoutfreshwaterinthekennels.She

alwaysmethimattheanimalshelterafterschoolonThursdayssothey

couldwalkhometogether.Whenshewasoldenough,shewantedto

volunteerjustlikehedid.

Astheywereleaving,Emilynoticedaflyerannouncingthatthe

shelterneededtrainerstohelpshelterdogsinobedienceclasses.Best

ofall,trainerscouldbeasyoungastenyearsold!Emily’sdadagreed

tolethersignup,andtheywenttotheoffice.Aftertheycompletedthe

application,thewomanatthedeskaskedEmilytostartthatweekend.

EmilywasattheshelterearlySaturdaymorning.Theteacher

assignedadogtoeachofthenewlyrecruitedtrainers.Herpartnerwas

Freckles,thecolliewiththespottedmuzzle!

Theteacherhelpedthetrainersteachtheirdogstositandstay.Bythe

endoftheclass,FreckleswasobeyingmostofEmily’scommands.She

workedwithhimeverySaturdayinclassandspentextratimewithhim

onThursdays.Oneday,Emilycouldn’tfindFreckles.Theteachersaid

thathe’dbeenadopted,andthankedherforhelpinghimbecomeagreat

pet.

EmilywashappyforFreckles,butshemissedhim.Whenshearrived

homethatday,sheopenedthefrontdoorandcalledHal.Healways

cheeredherup.Whenhedidn’tcome,shewenttothebackyardand

calledagain.Halcamerunning,andthensomethingamazinghappened.

Frecklescamerunning,too!Emilywhirledaroundandsawherdad

grinningonthebackporch.

“He’sallyours!”hecalled.

Emilydroppedandhuggedbothdogs.“I’mtheluckiestgirlever,”

shethought.“Ihavetwogreatdogsandagreatdad,too!”


Benchmark 3


Art in Action

Wouldyouliketomakedrawingscometolife?Trymakinga

flipbook!Aflipbookisaseriesofpicturesthatseemtomovewhenyou

thumbthroughthemquickly.Tomakeyours,allyouneedisapadof

squarestickynotesandapencil.

First,decideonaconceptforyourpictures.Youmustre-createthe

samepictureagainandagain,sochoosesomethingsimple.Avoidadding

unnecessarydetails,too.Thatwillmakeiteasiertocreatedrawingsthat

arenearlyidentical.

Foryourfirstflipbook,trydrawingafacewitheyesthatmoveback

andforth.Positionyourpadwiththestickypartattheleft.Thenopenit

tothelastpageanddrawasimplefacetowardtherightsideofthepage.

Thatisthepartofthepagethatisvisiblewhenyouarethumbingthrough

quickly.

Yourflipbookfacecanbeacircleoranyotherbasicshape.Foreach

eye,makeahorizontalovalwithadark,soliddotattherightend.Once

you’resatisfiedwithyourpicture,darkenthelinestomakethemeasyto

trace.

Next,drawthesecondpictureonthenexttothelastpageofthepad.

Traceeverythingexceptthedotsintheeyes.Traceaccuratelysoallthe

detailswillappeartoholdstillwhiletheeyesmove.Positionthedotsin

theeyesatinybitfarthertotheleftthaninthefirstpicture.

Repeatthisprocessagainandagain.Eachtime,copyallthedetails

andchangeonlythedotsintheeyes.Forbestresults,bepatient.Make

suchsmallchangesthattheyarebarelynoticeable.Whenthedotsreach

theleftendoftheeyeovals,startmovingthemgraduallybacktothe

right.Youshoulddrawabouttwentypicturesinall.

Holdyourfinishedbooksothatyoucanthumbthroughthepictures

frombacktofront.Theeyesonthefaceshouldmoveasiftheyare

followingatennismatch!


Benchmark 3


Empty Lot to a Garden Spot

Lastsummer,Ispentafewweeksatmyaunt’sfarminthecountry.

MycousinsandIhadagreattimehelpingoutattheproducestandwhere

wesoldfreshtomatoes,squash,melons,andberries.WhenIgotbackto

myhomeinthecity,Itoldmyfriendsabouttheproducestand.

“Ifwehadaplacetogrowvegetables,wecouldhaveaproduce

standrighthere,”Iexplained.“Iguessthere’sreallynoplacetogrowa

gardeninthecity,though.”

“There’sthatabandonedlotdownthestreet,”Dillansaid.“Maybe

wecoulduseit.”

Wesprinteddowntotheemptylottoinvestigate.Atfirst,wefelt

disappointed.Weedsgrewthroughcracked,drysoil,andtrashwas

jammedagainstthemetalfence.Onthefencewasasignthatsaid,“For

information,callMr.Brown.”

Iwrotedowntheinformation,andwereturnedtomyhouse.

Grandmalistenedtoourplanandofferedtohelp.ShecalledMr.Brown

whosaidthatifweturneditintoaneighborhoodgarden,hewould

donatethelottothecommunity!

“Thisisanopportunitywecan’taffordtopassup,”saidGrandma.

“Let’sseehowmanyvolunteerswecanenlisttohelpus.”Wemadeflyers

thatlistedthetime,place,andpurposeofthegatheringandputthem

upinthelibrary,postoffice,andgrocerystore.OnSaturday,alarge

crowdshowedupatthelottohelpuspreparethesoilandbeginplanting.

Beforeoureyes,thevacantlotwastransformedintoagardenspot.

Eachday,someonefromtheneighborhoodwasinthegarden

weeding,watering,andtendingtheplants.Alloftheneighborsseemed

totakealotofprideinthegarden.Asanaddedbenefit,myfriendsandI

madelotsofnewfriends.

Inafewmonths,therewerevegetablesreadyforharvest.Myfriends

andIsetupaproducestandinfrontofthegarden.Thenweputupthis

sign:“Freevegetables.Thankyouforhelpingtomakethisgardena

success!”


Benchmark 3


The Little Hero

Youmightnotbelievethatadogweighinglessthantenpounds

couldstopacarorsavesomeone,butthat’sjustwhatalittledognamed

Anniedid.Annie’sheroicfeatoccurredlateonenight.Onthisparticular

night,Anniewasoutforastrollwithherowner,Pam.Pamusesacane

towalk,andassheandAnniesteppedcautiouslyupontoahighcurb

inthedark,Pamtrippedandfell.Shewasnotseriouslyinjured,butshe

couldn’tgetupbyherself.AnnielickedPam’sfaceandbarkedasshe

attemptedtoassistherowner,butPamwasstillunabletostandup.

AnniewasdeterminedtogethelpforPam,soshecontinuedtobark

noisily.Shebarkedsoloudlythatneighborscalledthepolice.Apolice

officerfinallycametoinvestigate.Itwasn’tdifficulttofindAnnie.The

officerjustwenttothelocationwhereheheardtheuproar.Whenthe

officer’spatrolcarapproachedher,Anniestoodintheroadandbarkedas

fiercelyasshecould.Shewantedtomaketheofficerstopandgetoutof

hiscar.That’sexactlywhattheofficerdid.Whenthepoliceofficertried

tocatchAnnie,shedodgedandbarkedevenmoreferociously.Thelittle

dogdidn’trunawayfromtheofficer,though.Shejustscurriedbackand

forthtoblockhiswayeachtimehetriedtogoinanotherdirection.

TheofficerwonderedwhyAnniewasbeingsoinsistentaboutgetting

hisattention.That’swhenheheardafaintvoicecallingfromnearthe

bushes.Someonewascallingforhelp!Hehurriedtowardthevoiceand

soonfoundPamontheground.Theofficerhelpedherupanddelivered

herandAnniesafelyhome.Pamsaysshelearnedalotfromheraccident.

First,it’sbesttoavoidwalkingwheretherearesteepcurbsandnostreet

lights.Moreimportantly,itisagoodideatotakesomeonewithyou

whenyougooutatnightwhocanmakesureyougethomesafely.For

Pam,thatsomeoneisherdog.


Benchmark 3


A Surprising Little Fish

Imaginethatyouaresnorkelingnearareefwhensomeclownfish

catchyoureye.They’rezippylittleorangefishwithblackandwhite

stripes.Theywhirlandwiggleanddartinandoutoftheiroceanhome.It

seemstheyarechasingeachotherinarollickinggameoftag.

Thefishyouarewatchingareclownfish,andit’seasytoseehow

theygottheirname.Itlooksasiftheyareclowningaround.These

clownfisharenotplaying,though.Theyaredefendingtheirterritory

fromoutsiders.Whatlookslikeabushyseaweedplantisreallyasea

animalthatletsclownfishliveinitstentacles.Thecreatureiscalledan

anemone.Mostfishavoidthisanimalbecauseitsmassoftentaclescan

deliverapowerfulsting.Luckily,clownfishhavespecialprotection

fromtheanimal’ssting.Clownfisharecoveredinastickysubstancethat

protectsthemfromthesting.

Livinginsideastinginganimalisgreatprotectionfortheclownfish.

Hungrypredatorsthatwouldliketoeattheclownfishturnawaywhen

theyseetheanemone.Ifapredatorgetstoocloseitgetsaseveresting.

Inreturnforprotectionfromenemies,theclownfishcleantheanemone.

Theyremovedirtfromitstentacles.Theyfeedonscrapsfromthe

anemone’smeals.Theanemoneandthefisharebothquitecontentwith

thisunusualarrangement.

Clownfishareunusualinanotherway,too.Theyarealmostall

males.Onlyonefemaleisineverycolony,andsheisalsotheleaderof

thecolony.Shelayshereggsneartheanemonewheretheyarekeptvery

safe.Themotherclownfishhaslaidthemwherepredatorsdon’tdarego.

Sheknowsthestinginganemoneisthebestbabysitterinthesea.


Benchmark 3


On the Road to Success

Everyonewasgatheredinfrontofthestage,waitingtohearwho

hadwonthedesigncontest.Designingacarofthefuturewasareal

challenge,butTim’sentryhadmadeittothefinals.Atlast,thejudges

tookthestageandannouncedthewinningentries.Timwasthrilledto

hearthathiscarwithsolarpowerhadwonsecondplace.Hegrinned

attheapplauseandthetrophy,butthebestpartaboutwinningwasyet

tocome.Heandtheotherwinnerswouldpresenttheirdesignstothe

presidentofanationalcarcompany.

OnFriday,Timandhisparentsdrovetothecarfactory.Themanager

ledthestudentsandtheirfamiliesonatour.Astheywalkedalongthe

assemblyline,themanagerexplainedeachstepinmakingacar.Tim

wasfascinatedbyeverythinghesaw.First,theframeofacarwas

fastenedtoabig,moveablebelt.Ahugemachineloweredtheengineand

transmissionontotheframe.Thenworkersfastenedthepartsinplace.As

thebeltmovedthecarframedowntheline,thecarwasgraduallybuilt

fromthebottomup.Machinesandpeopleworkedsidebysideatmany

ofthestations.Timgotmoreandmoreexcitedasthecartookshape.

Finally,thecarwasreadytosendtothebodyshop,whereworkers

addedthedoorsandthehoodandtrunk.Whenthebodywascomplete,

machinespaintedthecar.Themanagerwasabouttoshowthemwhere

theinteriorpartswereinstalledwhenanannouncementcameoverthe

loudspeaker.Thepresidentofthecompanywasreadytomeetthem.

Theyhurriedtotheoffice.Afterthestudentspresentedandexplained

theirdesigns,thepresidenttoldthemhewasveryimpressedwiththeir

work.Astheywereleaving,heshookTim’shandandaskedhimto

comebackandapplyforajobsomeday.Timwasthrilled.Alltheway

home,heimaginedcarsjustliketheonehe’ddesignedrollingdownthat

assemblyline.Hecouldhardlywaitforthedaytocome.


Benchmark 3


Growing a Rosebush

Isitpossibleforastemtoturnintoarosebush?Itmaysoundlike

amagictrick,butitactuallyworks!Withalittlepatience,youcandoit

yourself.

Beginbycuttingastemfromahealthyrosebush.Youshoulddothis

inlatespringorearlysummerwhenitiswarmenoughfornewrootsto

growbutnotsohotthattenderleaveswillburn.Examinethestemsof

therosebushcloselyandselectonethatisyoungbutstrong.Itshould

haveafadingfloweroronethathasalreadylostitspetals.Cutastem

abouttwelveincheslong.

Next,preparethestembyremovingtheflowerandmostofthe

leaves.Thisallowsthecuttingtoputallofitsenergyintoformingroots.

Don’tremovealloftheleaves,though.Twotofiveleavesshouldbeleft

onthestemtoprovidefoodforthedevelopingplant.Youwillalsoneed

tomakecutsatthebottomofthestemtohelprootsformmorerapidly.

Todothis,startatthebottomedgeandcutaboutoneinchupeachside.

Next,plantthecuttinginapotcontainingdamppottingsoilorsand.

Pokeaholeinthedirtwithyourfingerandpositionthecuttinginit.

Thengentlypresssoilagainstthecuttingtoholditinplace.Tokeep

thecuttingmoist,misttheleaveswithaspraybottleandthencoverit

withaclearplasticbag.Usetallstakestopreventthebagfromresting

againsttheleaves.Thenfastenthebottomofthebagaroundthepotwith

arubberband.

Aftertwoweeks,uncoverthecuttingandgentlytugonit.Ifyoufeel

resistance,rootshavedeveloped.Givethemseveralmoredaystogrow

andthenremovetheplasticbag.Placeyourcuttinginashadyareaaway

fromharshsunlight.

Whenyounoticethatyourplantisgrowingnewleavesand

gettingtaller,plantitinasunnylocationandwateritfrequently.Then

congratulateyourselfongrowingyourfirstrosebush!


Benchmark 3


Rainy Day Savings

JennaandhersisterAnnpeeredoutthewindowatthelemonade

standsittingvacantbythestreet.Ithadbeenrainingfortwodays,and

theweatherforecastjustpredictedmorewetweather.Thegirlshad

plannedtoearnmoneytobuyticketsfortheamusementpark,butthey

couldn’tselllemonadeintherain.

Anncounteduptheirmoneyandcalculatedthatthesistersneeded

tenmoredollarstoaffordtheirtickets.Shewonderediftherewasaway

thegirlscouldstillearnthemoney,despitetherain.

Jennathoughtaboutit.Theycouldn’toffertowalktheneighbors’

dogsorwashtheirautomobiles.Noonewouldpaythemtodothose

thingsinsuchdismalweather.SheandAnntriedtothinkofwhatthey

coulddo.Justthen,theirmotherenteredtheroomand,overhearingtheir

problem,offeredasuggestion.

“Youknow,that’saprettysoft,gentlerainoutside,”shesaid.

“There’snothunderorlightning,andalightweightraincoatwouldbe

enoughtoprotectyoufromgettingsoaked.Whydon’tyouoffertopull

weedsintheneighbors’gardens?Theearthwillbesoftandmoistfrom

therain,sotheweedsshouldcomeouteasily.”

Thegirlsthoughtthatwasaterrificidea.Theydecidedtocharge

threedollarsperhourtopullweeds.Theywentdownthestreet,

knockingondoorsandofferingtheirweedingservices.Beforelong,

threeneighborshadhiredthemtomaintaintheirgardens.JennaandAnn

gotrighttoworkcleaningouttheplantingbeds.

“Momwasrightaboutarainydaybeingtherighttimeforthis,”

announcedAnn,asshepulledcrabgrassandotherweedseasilyfrom

themoistsoil.“Therainmakesweedpullingeasier,andkeepsusfrom

gettingtoohot.”

Bylateafternoon,thegirlshadearnedenoughmoneytopayfortheir

tickets.Theyalsoknewjusthowthey’dspendrainydaysfortherestof

thesummer.


Benchmark 3


A Vacation Adventure

Everysummermyfamilygoescampinginthemountains,but

thisyearwedidsomethingdifferent.Wetraveledtoacountrycalled

Belize.Whenmymomtoldmeaboutthetrip,itsoundedexciting,but

Iwonderedifitwouldbeasenjoyableasavacationinthemountains.I

lovethebumpydriveuptoourfavoritecampsite.It’sarealadventure

watchingforwildlifeandexploringcavesaswehikeuptoseethe

incredibleviewfromthemountaintop.Still,Idecidedtokeepanopen

mind.OurBelizetripwouldbedifferent,butitmightbeinteresting.

WespentthefirstfewdaysinBelizeonthebeach,wheremysisters

andIenjoyedswimmingandlearningtosurf.Onthefinaldayofour

vacation,aguidedroveusdeepintothejungletoseesomeancientruins.

Thefartherwedrove,theroughertheroadbecame.Welaughedaswe

bumpedupanddownandslidfromsidetoside.Itwasbumpierthanthe

roadtoourmountaincampsite!Alongthewaywespottedmanycolorful

birdsandevenagroupofmonkeysinatree.

Whenwearrivedatourdestination,wewereamazedatwhatwe

saw.ItwasacitythattheMayanpeoplehadbuiltoverathousandyears

ago.Asweexaminedfascinatingcarvingsonpyramidsandancient

stonewalls,wetriedtoimaginepeoplelivingtherelongago.Ourguide

pointedoutastonemaskasweexploredatombthatwasascooland

darkasacave.NexthetookustotheSkyTemple,ahugepyramid

withhundredsofsteps.MysistersandIracedupthestairsandwere

completelyoutofbreathwhenwegottothetop.Fromtherewecould

seehowbigtheancientcityhadbeen.Itwasanawesomeview.

Asweflewhome,IthoughtaboutmytriptoBelize.Ihaddonemany

ofthesamethingsIenjoyonourcampingtrips.Evenbetter,I’dexplored

awholenewcountryandanancientworld!


Benchmark 3


Sunnydale Stars

SoonafterMarcojoinedthedramaclubatSunnydaleSchool,the

clubmembersbegantoworkonaspecialproject.Theyweregoingto

fixuptheemptylotlocatedbehindtheirschool.Theirplanwastobuild

astagewheretheycouldputonoutdoorplaysforallthestudentsand

familiesintheirschool.Eachdayafterschoolthatweek,thedramaclub

studentsworkedtotransformthevacantlotintoanoutdoortheater.

Ontheirfirstworkday,thedramaclubteacher,Mrs.Walter,ledthe

waytotheemptylot.Thefirsttaskwasweeding.Mrs.Waltergaveeach

studentapairofworkglovestowearandthestudentsgotrighttowork

pullingupatangleofweedsthatcoveredanoldconcretepatio.This

patiowouldbethestage.Overthenextfewdays,Marcoandhisfriends

broughtscrubbrushesandbucketsofwaterandscrubbedthepatioclean.

Oncethepatiowasclean,thestudentspainteditbrightblue.Thenitwas

timetodecoratethestage.Marcoopenedacanofsilverpaintandeach

studentgrabbedapaintbrushandpaintedasilverstaronthebluestage.

Whenthepaintwasdry,theyusedmarkerstowritetheirnamesonthe

stars.

Theoutdoortheaterwasready.Whatplayshouldtheyperform

first?Thestudentsdecidedtopresenttheplay“TheTortoiseandthe

Hare.”Everyoneintheclubwasassignedajobtodo.Somestudents

madetheprograms,somewereinchargeofrefreshments,andothers

wereassignedthejobofsettingupchairs.Marco’sjobwastobethe

announcer.Together,themembersoftheclubworkedtogeteverything

readyfortheshow.Whenopeningnightcame,theyalltooktheirplaces

backstage.Marcotookadeepbreath.Theplaywasabouttobegin.


Benchmark 3


Wonderful Water

Somepeoplesay,“Youarewhatyoueat.”Itmightbemoreaccurate

tosay,“Youarewhatyoudrink.”Thatisbecauseabouttwo-thirdsofthe

humanbodyismadeupofwater.

Ourbodiesusewaterinmanywaystomaintainourhealthandwell-

being.Weneedwatertohelpwithdigestingandabsorbingthefoodwe

eat.Watercontrolsourbodytemperature,keepingusfromgettingtoohot

inwarmweather.Ithelpstocarryoxygenandnutrientstoallthebody’s

cellsandevenactsasaprotectivecushionforjoints,suchaskneesand

hips.

Eachday,ourbodiesloseasmanyassixpintsofwaterthrough

evaporationandperspiration.Replacingthatwaterisimportantfor

maintaininggoodhealth.Peoplewhoexercisevigorouslyloseevenmore

water.Running,playingsoccer,bicycling,andhikingcanincreasethe

amountofwateryouneedtodrink.

Howcanyougetallthewateryouneed?First,trytodrinkplenty

offreshwaterwitheverymealandafteryouexercise.It’salsogood

todrinkwateratothertimesduringtheday,especiallyifitisawarm

day.Eatplentyoffreshfruitsandvegetables,whichalsocontainwater.

Eatingthesecanalsohelpyougetthewateryourbodyneeds.

Manypeopledonotdrinkenoughwatertomaintaintheirhealth.

Theysaytheydonotfeelthirsty.Sometimespeoplewhodonotthink

theyarethirstyareconfusingthirstforhunger.Theythinktheirbodyis

askingforfood,insteadofwater.

Toensureyougetallthewateryourbodyneeds,youshould

drinkwaterfrequentlythroughouttheday.Ifyoudrinkenough

waterthroughouttheday,youwillfeelhealthyandrefreshed.More

importantly,yourbodywillhavethefluiditneedstoworkwell.


Benchmark 3


Healthy Choices

Haveyoueverwonderedwherethefoodyoueatreallycomesfrom?

Atomatoatthegrocerystorecancomefrommanysources.Somestores

selltomatoesthathavetraveledagreatdistanceacrossmanystatesto

getthere.Atothershopsandmarkets,thetomatoesyoubuycomefrom

farmsinlocationsveryclosetowhereyoulive.Youcanoftenfindthese

localtomatoesatoutdoormarkets.Choosingalocallygrowntomatoisa

healthychoice.

Aripetomatofreshfromthevineisfullofvitaminsandflavor.

Locallygrowntomatoesareallowedtoripenbeforetheyarepicked.

Ripeningallthewaygivesthetomatoeslotsofflavorandcolor.Oncethe

tomatoispicked,itsnutrientsbegintofade.Asthedayspass,itkeeps

losingmoreandmoreofitsfoodvalue.Itisstillgoodtoeat,butithas

lessflavorandfewervitaminsthanafreshtomatodoes.Farmerswho

shiptomatoesalongdistanceoftenpickthemwhiletheyarestillgreen.

Greentomatoesturnredafterafewdays,buttheyhavefarlessflavor

andcolorthantomatoesthatripenallthewayonthevine.

Tomatoesfromlocalfarmersaregoodfortheenvironment,too.

Becausetheydon’thavetobeshippedveryfar,farmersdon’thavetouse

alotofpackagingthathastobethrownaway.Instead,theycantransport

thefoodsinbushelbasketsthattheyreuseeveryweek.Transporting

localtomatoesthiswaydoesn’tgeneratealotofwastematerials.

Manykindsoffruitsandvegetablesareshippedacrossthecountry

everyday,butoftenthosesamecropscanbefoundmuchclosertohome.

Nexttimeyougotothestore,keepalookoutforlocallygrowntomatoes.

Youmayseeotherlocallygrownfoodsyouwanttochoose,too.


Benchmark 3


A Trip into History

Theshipsoundeditshornaspassengershurriedtoboard.Albert’s

familyfollowedaporterwhoshowedthemtotheircabins.Whilehis

parentsbeganunpacking,Albertwentoutsideandlookedthrough

binoculars.Hewantedtogetacloserlookatadistantcastle.Itwas

excitingtothinkthattheoldcastlewasonceguardedbybraveknights

inarmor.Albertcouldn’twaittoseemore.Hewasconvincedthatthis

two-dayvoyageontheRhineRiverwouldbethehighlightoftheirtripto

Germany.

Albertquicklyunpackedsohecouldexploretherestoftheship.It

wasaslongasafootballfield!Ondeck,hediscoveredthattherewould

beplentytodowhiletheywereonboard.Inadditiontoalibraryanda

giftshop,therewasaheatedswimmingpool.Hisparentswerehappyto

learnthattherewouldbelivemusicanddancing,too.

Thefamilyhadjustfoundseatsonthedeckwhentheshipbegan

tomove.Albertrantotherailing.Hewavedtopeopleonshoreasthe

boatpulledaway.Beforelong,theshipreachedthecastlehehadspotted

earlier.

Albert’sfatherpointedoutthatthetallwallsandmoatsaround

castleswerebuilttoprotecttheownersfromattacks.“Theroyalfamily

memberswhobuiltthecastleshadsoldiersstopboatsthatpassedby,”he

explained.“Theychargedthematolltocontinuedowntheriver.”

Astheshipmovedslowlydowntheriver,itwasasiftheywere

driftingbackintime.Theysawcastleaftercastlesetonrockycliffsand

tree-coveredhills.Theypassednearlyfiftyofthem!Overtheyears,some

hadtumbleddown,andonlyafewrockwallsremained.Othercastles

stilllookedstrongandmighty.Inprettylittlevillagesontheshore,they

sawchurchesbuilthundredsofyearsago.Albertdecidedthathereally

likedlearningaboutthepastthisway.“Thanksfortakingmeonthisboat

trip,”hetoldhisparents.“It’sthebesthistorylessonIeverhad!”


Benchmark 3


Keeping Oil on the Job

Anythingwithamotorneedscleanoiltorunsmoothly.Thatincludes

everythingfromcarstolawnmowers.Tokeepmotorsrunningclean,

peopledrainthedirtyoileveryfewmonthsandreplaceitwithnewoil.

Whathappenstotheusedoil?Oilthatisallowedtosoakintotheground

orspillintostormdrainscanpollutethewatersupply.Itcanalsobetoxic

towildlife.Thebestthingtodowithusedoilistorecycleit.Alotof

citieshaveoilrecyclingcenterswhereusedoilcanbedroppedoff.Some

evenpickupusedoilatthecurb.Therearealsomanyservicestations

thatacceptusedoilforrecycling.

Theusedoilyougivetocityworkersorothercollectorsisstoredin

largetanks.Whenatankisfull,thecollectorcallsahaulertopickitup.

Thehaulerpumpstheusedoilintoaspecialcollectiontruckandtakesit

toaprocessingplant.

Attheplant,theoilistestedforleadandotherwastesthatmustbe

removed.Anywaterintheoilmustbeboiledoffsothatonlytheoil

remains.Thentheoilistestedagaintomakesureitiscleanandsafeto

use.Thewholeprocesscostsfarlessthanrefiningcrudeoilfromthe

ground.

Oncetheoiliscleaned,itcanbeusedinmanyways.Someisused

inmotorsagainorasaheatingfuelforbuildingsorships.Manypower

plantsareabletouserecycledoiltoproduceelectricity.Justtwogallons

ofrecycledoilcanmakeenoughelectricitytopowerahomealldayand

allnight.Ifallcarownersrecycledtheirusedoil,wewouldsavemillions

ofgallonseveryyear.Justimaginehowmuchpowerthatoilcould

produce!

Recyclingoilisasmartmoveforusall.Itkeepsourwatercleanand

protectswildlife.Itprovidescheaperfuelandpower.Bestofall,itkeeps

apreciousresourceoutofthelandfillandonthejob!


Benchmark 3


Gail Devers

Asachild,thegirlranconstantly.Sheenjoyedrunningracesagainst

herbrother,butshealwayslost.Thegirldidn’tgiveupandstarted

practicingandtraininghard.Soonshewasrunningfasterthanher

brother.ThisgirlwasGailDevers.Yearslater,shewouldbecomeoneof

thefastestrunnersintheworld.

Gailwasanexcellentrunner.Shewasonthetrackteaminhigh

schoolandincollege.ShewastrainingfortheOlympicgamesin1988

whenshebecameillwithamysteriousdisease.Hermuscleshurt,and

sometimesshecouldnotfeelherlegsatall.Thereweretimeswhenher

headhurtandshewouldfaint.Soonshecouldnotevenwalk.Ittook

severalyearsfordoctorstodiscoverwhatwaswrongwithGailand

figureouthowtohelphergetwell.Finallyshestartedtoimprove,and

onceagainshebegantotrainfortheOlympics.

AttheOlympicgames,Gailranfast,winningfirstplaceandearning

thegoldmedal.Sheransofastthatpeoplecalledherthe“World’s

FastestWoman.”AftertheOlympics,GailcompetedintheWorld

Championships,earningsevenmedalsthere.Shewongoldmedalsinthe

onehundredmeterdashandtheonehundredmeterhurdles.Itwasthe

firsttimeinmanyyearsthatarunnerwasfirstinbothoftheseevents.In

thenexttwoyears,Gailwonsomanyracesthatshewasnamedthebest

runnerintheworld.Thefollowingyear,Gailwontwomoregoldmedals

attheOlympicsinAtlanta,Georgia.

Gailknewshewouldnotalwaysbeabletorun,butshecouldhavea

lastingimpactonpeople’slives.ShecreatedtheGailDeversFoundation,

anorganizationthathelpspeoplewitheducation,health,andathletics.

Shewantedtoshowpeoplehowtodogoodthingstohelpothers.Her

messagetoothersistonevergiveupbecausehardworkleadstosuccess.


Benchmark 3


A Day of Surprises

Itwasanidealdayformountainbiking.MysisterandIdidn’t

knowwhereweweregoingbecauseDadwantedtosurpriseus.Aswe

drove,hegaveuscluesaboutourdestination.Itwasatrailthatfollowed

nature’slead.Ithadahistory,anditwasnamedforagiantpit.Wetried

tofigureoutwhatthecluesmeant,butnoneofourguesseswerecorrect.

Afteranhour’sdrive,Dadpointedtoasignandannouncedthatwe

hadarrived.WewereattheQuarryRoadTrail!Oncewewereonour

bicycles,Dadexplainedhowthetrailmatchedhisclues.First,itfollowed

theAmericanRiver.Thatwasnature’slead.Second,minersfromthe

GoldRusherahadbuiltaflume,orwaterchute,alongsidethetrail.

Theychanneledwaterfromtheriverintotheflumeandthensearched

theshallowstreamforgold.Third,itwasnamedaftertheoldquarry,an

enormouspitwherepeopleexcavatedrocktouseinbuilding.

Thetraildidn’tseemparticularlysteep,butatthehalfwaypoint

wecouldfeelthestraininourlegs,sowestoppedtowadeintheriver.

Beforelong,wewerebackonourbikesandheadedfortrail’send.By

thetimewegotthere,weweredefinitelyreadytorest,sowerelaxedon

thegrassandwatchedpeopleraftingontheriverbelow.Thewaterwas

veryswiftthere,andrafterstippedoveriftheydidn’tnavigatecarefully.

Justpasttherapids,theywerecarriedoverasmallwaterfallintocalm

waters.Whentheylandedwithasplash,theycheeredtriumphantly.It

lookedlikegreatfun.That’swhenDadrevealedanothersurprise.We

werestayingovernightintheparkcabinssowecouldgoonarafting

expeditionthenextmorning!Mysistersquealedindelightandgaveme

ahigh-five.

“You’refulloffantasticsurprisestoday,Dad,”Isaid.

“I’vegotonemoresurprisethatI’msureyou’lllike,”hesaidwitha

wink.“Thetrailbacktothecarisdownhillalltheway!”


Benchmark 3


Rodeo Dreams

Thebigdaywashereatlast,andhappycrowdsfilledtherodeo

grounds.Aftermonthsofwaiting,Benwasattherodeowaitingtoseehis

sister,Brook,compete.HisfamilyhaddrivenhalfwayacrossCanadato

beattheCalgaryStampede,thelargestrodeoinCanada.Brook’sevent

wasbarrelracing,andherdreamwastowinthebigcashprizeforher

collegefund.Itwouldn’tbeeasy.Onlythebestriderswereinvitedto

competeatthisrodeo.

Brookhadworkedhardforthismoment,andBenhadbeenher

biggestsupporter.Everyafternoon,hesetupherbarrelsinthecorral

whileshesaddledupherhorse,Flash.Sherodearoundthebarrelsagain

andagainwhileherbrothertimedherwiththestopwatch.IfBrook

knockedoverabarrel,Benhoppeddownfromthefenceandstoodit

backup.Eachtimeshegotalittlebitfaster,heholleredandthrewhishat

intheair.

AsBenwaitedforthebarrelracetobegin,theannouncer’sdeep,

friendlyvoicewelcomedtheaudience.Hecouldhardlybelievethat

todaytheannouncerwouldsayhissister’sname.Hissecretdreamwasto

hearhisownnameoverthatloudspeaker.Hewonderedifthatdaywould

evercome.

Atlast,thebarrelracebegan.Oneriderafteranothercameoutofthe

chuteandcircledthebarrels.Brookwasthelasttoride.SheandFlash

burstintothearenaandrodearoundthebarrelsinperfectform.When

hertimewasannounced,everyonestoodupandcheered.Brookand

Flashhadthefastesttime.Herdreamhadcometrue!

TheannouncercongratulatedBrookonherwinningrideandadded,

“Thisriderwantstosendoutabigthankyoutothepersonwhohelped

herwinthisevent.Let’sallgiveahandtoherbrotherBen.”

Benwasamazedwhenheheardhisnameannounced.Hecouldn’t

believethathissecretdreamhadcometrue,too.

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