Reading Comprehension - 5th Grade Worksheets - Free Printable

It looks like you've uploaded a reading comprehension passage titled "April Fools" by Kelly Hashway, which explains the origin of April Fools' Day. However, since no specific question or task was included in your message, I’ll assume you’d like me to:

1. Summarize the passage,
2. Explain the key points, and
3. Answer any common questions that might accompany this worksheet (like comprehension questions).

Let’s go through it step by step.

---

📘 Summary of the Passage: "April Fools"

This article explains how April Fools' Day originated, likely due to changes in the calendar.

- Historical Background: In the past, people celebrated New Year's Day on April 1st.
- Calendar Change: In the 1500s, the calendar was changed, and New Year’s Day moved to January 1st.
- Resistance to Change: Because news traveled slowly (no internet), many people didn’t hear about the change and continued celebrating on April 1st.
- "April Fools" Nickname: Those who still celebrated on April 1st were mocked and called “April fools.”
- Pranks Begin: People who followed the new calendar started playing jokes on those who were still celebrating the old way — sending fake invitations to "New Year’s" parties that weren’t real.
- French Tradition: In France, these pranks were called "Poisson d’Avril" ("April Fish"), because fish are easy to fool. Children would attach a paper fish to someone’s back, and when discovered, they'd yell *"Poisson d’Avril!"*

---

🔍 Key Points Explained

| Concept | Explanation |
|--------|-------------|
| Origin of April Fools’ Day | Likely tied to the shift from celebrating New Year’s on April 1st to January 1st. |
| Why April 1st? | The date was once New Year’s Day; after the calendar changed, people who kept celebrating on April 1st were ridiculed. |
| “April Fool” nickname | Given to those who clung to the old tradition. |
| Poisson d’Avril | French term meaning “April Fish,” used because fish are easily fooled. This is why children attach paper fish to others. |

---

✔ Possible Comprehension Questions & Answers

Here are sample questions that might be on the worksheet, along with answers:

#### 1. Why did people start calling others "April fools"?
> Because some people continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st even after the calendar changed, while others had switched to January 1st. Those who stuck to the old date were mocked and called "April fools."

#### 2. What kind of tricks were played on April Fools’ Day?
> People sent fake invitations to "New Year’s" parties that weren't real. In France, children would put a paper fish on someone’s back and shout “Poisson d’Avril!”

#### 3. Why were the pranks called “Poisson d’Avril”?
> Because fish are easy to catch and fool, so the term "April Fish" became a joke for someone being tricked.

#### 4. How did the calendar change affect April Fools’ Day?
> When the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st, people who didn’t know about the change kept celebrating on April 1st. Others began teasing them, which led to the tradition of pranking people on that day.

#### 5. What does the cartoon at the top show?
> It shows two kids laughing at a third kid whose shoe lace is untied, with a speech bubble saying “Your shoe lace is untied!” This illustrates a simple prank, typical of April Fools’ Day humor.

---

🧠 Fun Fact

Even though the exact origin isn’t certain, the calendar theory is the most widely accepted explanation for how April Fools’ Day began.

---

If you have a specific question from the worksheet (like a fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, or writing prompt), please share it, and I can help answer it directly!

Would you like a printable version of the summary or study guide based on this passage?