A New Kid at Lunch (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What would help you feel better if you did not know anyone at lunch? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 180 words in 6 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. The questions on page 2 mix three multiple choice items with two short written answers, so give students room to explain their thinking in sentences. Check the work with the answer key.

A New Kid at Lunch gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 180 words about a new student who is unsure where to sit at lunch, followed by five questions. The questions practice the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context and making inferences, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2. An answer key is included.

A New Kid at Lunch is a fiction passage of about 180 words about a new student who is unsure where to sit at lunch. It is written for 3rd grade readers (ages 8-9) and has 6 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice the theme or lesson of the story, cause and effect, vocabulary in context and making inferences. Questions include "What is the theme of this story" and "Why did Josh smile at the end of lunch". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: What would help you feel better if you did not know anyone at lunch? Ask students to read the first paragraph and guess what the problem will be, then finish the story to check their guess.

Expect about 15 to 20 minutes from first read to last answer. It suits homework, a sub plan or small group reading time, and the answer key makes it quick to check the theme or lesson of the story and vocabulary in context.