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Knowledge and Fluency Passages

Dig, Dig, Dig!

This resource is part of our Sam and Dave Dig a Hole collection.

This Knowledge and Fluency Passage introduces students to the concept of digging, explaining how shovels work and why people dig holes. It connects directly to Sam and Dave’s adventure as they dig deeper and deeper, helping students picture the story’s action and understand the limits of digging into the earth’s layers. By building this background knowledge, students will engage more fully with the book’s humor and plot. Use this passage before reading the book to build background knowledge and prepare students to better comprehend the text.

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Knowledge and Fluency Passages

Connect Background Knowldge to the Book

Reading doesn’t stop when the book is finished!

Use this resource to help students connect ideas from the background knowledge passage to what they read. It’s a quick way to show how learning more about the world helps them as readers.

Includes both K–2 and 3–5 versions for easy differentiation.

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Fill Knowledge Gaps and Build Fluency for Better Comprehension

What’s Included in the Knowledge and Fluency Passages

Every package comes with:

A paired background passage connected to one of the books in the BookPagez library
A grade-level set of Fry high-frequency words
Fluency practice opportunities (model reading, partner/choral/independent rereads)
Comprehension questions (literal, inferential, vocabulary)
Teacher tools for progress monitoring (Words Correct Per Minute and prosody notes)

Why It Matters

Strong comprehension depends on more than decoding. Students also need background knowledge, smooth and expressive reading, and automatic recognition of high-frequency words. Knowledge & Fluency Passages bring all of that together in one resource. The passages fill in common knowledge gaps that can block understanding, give students repeated practice with fluency, and reinforce the words they’ll see most often in print. The result: more confident readers who are ready to dive into the books you teach.

Why You’ll Love Using Them

Think of these passages as a Swiss Army Knife for your literacy block. They prepare students for your read-alouds and small-group work, build fluency skills in meaningful ways, and give you quick assessment data—all without extra planning. Instead of stopping mid-story to explain tricky concepts, you’ll launch into texts knowing your students are already equipped to engage, notice, and think more deeply.

Explore Other Resources to Pair with Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

The cover for Sam and Dave Dig a Hole Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources

Use Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett to strengthen your students' comprehension skills, build their vocabulary, and help them understand how words work.

This story follows two determined boys and their curious dog as they set out to dig until they find "something spectacular." Each time they change course, the boys miss enormous jewels hidden just out of sight, leaving readers to wonder what they'll find at the end of their adventure. This clever story offers rich opportunities for students to practice Making Inferences, Identifying the Author's Purpose, and Determining Importance as they pay close attention to both text and illustrations.

This resource set also includes a word work lesson on words with double consonants, a creative extension activity, and teaching resources designed to help students uncover the deeper meaning of the boys' unusual journey.

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Knowledge and Fluency Passages

Dig, Dig, Dig!

Themes

Teacher Guide

Connect Background Knowldge to the Book

Fill Knowledge Gaps and Build Fluency for Better Comprehension

What’s Included in the Knowledge and Fluency Passages

Why It Matters

Why You’ll Love Using Them

Explore Other Resources to Pair with Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

Get Full Access to the Entire Library of Resources when You Join Today!

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