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Charlotte's New Home in Santa Fe

LLaura
Lower Elementary
Short Story
EN
1 min read
Image for Charlotte's New Home in Santa Fe

Charlotte packed her bags and moved to a new city. Her new home was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The houses here looked like warm brown mud cakes. They had smooth walls made of adobe bricks. Wooden beams stuck out near the roofs. Charlotte thought the houses looked very cozy.

The next day, Charlotte walked down a sunny street. She saw bright red peppers hanging in long strings on doors. People called these red peppers ristras. A lady gave Charlotte a hot corn tortilla to try. It was filled with melted cheese and warm beans. The food was warm and delicious.

In the evening, Charlotte heard happy music playing in the town square. People were smiling and dancing together under colorful lights. Charlotte tapped her feet to the fun song. She loved her new town so much. Santa Fe was full of color, art, and friendly people. Charlotte felt very happy in her new home.

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Glossary
adobe:
A sun-dried mud brick used for building houses.
beams:
Long, thick pieces of wood used to support a roof or ceiling.
ristras:
Strings or bunches of dried chili peppers hung up as decorations.
tortilla:
A thin, round flatbread made from corn or flour.
square:
An open public area in a town where people can gather.
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Two writing tasks that build on the passage, with plenty of lines to write on.

Explore this regionExplore more readings and facts about New MexicoWelcome to New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment! Explore reading passages that highlight high-desert landscapes, rich Indigenous and Hispanic heritage, unique adobe architecture, and scientific discoveries across this vibrant southwestern state.

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About this short story passage for Lower Elementary

β€œCharlotte's New Home in Santa Fe” is a short story reading passage about Moving to a New City, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minutes to read (155 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read β€œCharlotte's New Home in Santa Fe” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is β€œCharlotte's New Home in Santa Fe”?

It’s written for Lower Elementary β€” a short story text about Moving to a New City, about a 1-minute read (155 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.