A New Plan for Our Stepping Stones


October 14
Dear Aunt Clara,
I hope your week is going great! I have been counting down the days until this Saturday because I cannot wait to make our mosaic stepping stones together. Remember all the smooth blue and green sea glass we found at the lake last month? I sorted all the pieces by color into clean egg cartons, just like you showed me. I even found three flat white river rocks by the driveway that will look like little clouds in the pattern.
I am writing this letter because we need to pick a new day for our project. Mom and I were checking our supplies yesterday afternoon, and we realized Saturday will not work out after all. The first big reason is the weather. The morning news reported that a huge rainstorm is moving in from the west. The meteorologist said there is an eighty percent chance of heavy downpours and gusty wind from noon until dinner time.
- mosaic:
- A pattern or picture made by fitting together small pieces of colored glass, stone, or tile.
- meteorologist:
- A scientist who studies weather conditions and reports weather forecasts.
- grout:
- A thick paste used to fill the spaces between tiles or stones.
- trowels:
- Small handheld tools with flat blades used for scooping and spreading cement or dirt.
- molds:
- Hollow containers used to give a specific shape to liquid or soft material as it hardens.
- forecast:
- A statement about what the weather is expected to be like in the near future.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Fact & Opinion
Distinguish verifiable statements from judgments, beliefs, and preferences in context.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.

Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main reason Leo writes this letter to Aunt Clara?
- 2How did Leo prepare the sea glass before the project?
You Might Also Like
About this letter / email passage for 3rd Grade
“A New Plan for Our Stepping Stones” is a letter / email reading passage about rescheduling a craft project, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (553 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.


