The Lost Mitten (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: Have you ever lost something you cared about? What did you do? 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. 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.

The Lost Mitten gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 180 words about a girl who loses her mitten on a snowy day and gets help looking for it, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and making inferences, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2. An answer key is included.

The Lost Mitten is a fiction passage of about 180 words about a girl who loses her mitten on a snowy day and gets help looking for it. 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 main idea, cause and effect, vocabulary in context and making inferences. Questions include "What is the main idea of this story" and "Why did Nia laugh so hard that she sat down in the snow". 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: Have you ever lost something you cared about? What did you do? Invite students to share a similar experience first, then read to compare. Afterward, ask what the main character learned.

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.