The Big Sleepover (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What makes the first night away from home feel strange? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 200 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.

The Big Sleepover gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 200 words about a girl at her first sleepover who feels a little homesick, followed by five questions. The questions practice the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2. An answer key is included.

The Big Sleepover is a fiction passage of about 200 words about a girl at her first sleepover who feels a little homesick. 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, cause and effect, vocabulary in context and how a character feels. Questions include "What is the theme of this story" and "How did Lily help Priya feel better". 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 makes the first night away from home feel strange? 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.

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.