Lucy and the Thunderstorm (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What helps you feel calm when something scares you? 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. 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.

Lucy and the Thunderstorm gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 190 words about a girl who is scared of thunder and the way her brother helps her, 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.

Lucy and the Thunderstorm is a fiction passage of about 190 words about a girl who is scared of thunder and the way her brother helps her. 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 theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context, how a character feels and making inferences. Questions include "What is the theme of this story" and "How can you tell that Diego is a kind brother". 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 helps you feel calm when something scares you? Have students read the title and picture the setting, then read to see how the characters handle the problem. Pause to talk about how each character feels.

Plan about 15 to 20 minutes in all: the reading first, then the five questions. At home, a parent can read the questions aloud and talk through the written answers. In class, it works well for independent practice or a quick check of the theme or lesson of the story and vocabulary in context.