Leo and the Lost Key (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What steps could you take to find something that has gone missing? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 190 words in 5 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. Then turn to page 2 for five questions: three to circle and two to write about. Written answers should be full sentences that use a clue from the text. Check the work with the answer key.

Leo and the Lost Key gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 190 words about a boy who hunts for a lost house key by thinking through the clues, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2. An answer key is included.

Leo and the Lost Key is a fiction passage of about 190 words about a boy who hunts for a lost house key by thinking through the clues. It is written for 3rd grade readers (ages 8-9) and has 5 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice the main idea, cause and effect and vocabulary in context. Questions include "What is the main idea of this story" and "Why did Leo tie a double knot at the end". 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 steps could you take to find something that has gone missing? Before reading, ask students to predict what might happen from the title. After reading, have them retell the story in two or three sentences before they answer the questions.

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 main idea and vocabulary in context.