A Special Valentine for Sam


It was Valentine's Day at school. The children were happy and noisy. They put bright paper cards into red boxes on their desks. Mia looked around the bright room. She saw Sam sitting alone at a blue table. Sam looked sad and did not have any cards on his desk. Mia felt bad and wanted to help him.
Mia sat down at her desk with paper and crayons. She wanted to make Sam feel happy today. She cut out a big red heart from craft paper. Then she drew a picture of a bright yellow sun on it. Mia wrote, "You are a great friend, Sam!" She added some pink glitter to make the paper card shine.
Mia walked over to Sam's desk with a smile. She handed him the special heart card. Sam looked up, and his eyes grew bright and happy. He smiled and thanked Mia for the card. They sat together and talked about their favorite recess games. Mia was glad she made a new friend.
- bright:
- Giving off a lot of light or having strong, cheerful color.
- alone:
- By oneself, without any other people nearby.
- crayons:
- Sticks of colored wax used for drawing and coloring.
- glitter:
- Tiny, shiny pieces of plastic or metal that sparkle in the light.
- recess:
- A short break during the school day for children to play.
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.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
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.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What holiday were the children celebrating at school?
- 2Where was Sam sitting when Mia looked around the room?
Where this passage belongs
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About this short story passage for 2nd Grade
“A Special Valentine for Sam” is a short story reading passage about Kindness and Friendship, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 1 minute to read (169 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.


