The First Day Butterflies
Leo’s alarm clock let out a persistent beep-beep-beep at seven o’clock sharp. Usually, Leo loved the sound of the morning, but today was different. It was the first Monday of September, which meant it was the first day of third grade at Oak Creek Elementary. He pulled the covers over his head, wishing he could stay in his cozy bed forever. Summer had been filled with swimming pools, ice cream cones, and late nights watching movies. Now, everything was about to change.
His mother knocked gently on the door. "Time to get up, Leo! You don't want to be late for the big day." Leo sighed and climbed out of bed. He put on his favorite striped shirt and his brand-new sneakers. When he looked in the mirror, his face looked a little pale. He felt like a swarm of tiny butterflies was fluttering around inside his stomach. This was a feeling he got every year, but this year felt bigger. Third grade meant longer books, harder math, and a brand-new hallway in the school building.
- Persistent:
- Continuing to do something or lasting for a long time without stopping.
- Confident:
- Feeling sure of oneself and one's abilities.
- Reassuring:
- Saying or doing something to remove someone's doubts or fears.
- Enthusiastically:
- Doing something with great energy and excitement.
- Tension:
- A feeling of nervousness or worry that makes it hard to relax.
- clutched:
- held onto something tightly, usually with hands
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did Leo want to stay in bed on the first Monday of September?
- 2What physical sensation did Leo feel in his stomach before school?
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About this fiction passage for 3rd Grade
“The First Day Butterflies” is a fiction reading passage about School Transitions, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 5 minutes to read (716 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.