Welcome Home, Monarchs!

PicoBuddyLower ElementaryReader's Theater2 min read226 words
Image for Welcome Home, Monarchs!

Characters:

  • Narrator
  • Fir Tree
  • Squirrel
  • Owl

Narrator: Welcome to the high hills of Mexico. The cool green forest is waiting.

Fir Tree: I am a tall Oyamel fir tree. My soft green needles are ready.

Squirrel: I run up and down the tree. I look at the bright blue sky.

Are they here yet?

Owl: Whoo, whoo! Not yet, little friend. But they are very close.

They fly a long, long way.

Narrator: Millions of orange butterflies are coming. They fly all the way from the north.

This forest is their winter home.

Fir Tree: I will keep them warm. They will sleep on my branches.

My branches are like a warm blanket.

Squirrel: I must clean up the forest floor. I sweep the leaves.

I want it to look nice for our guests!

Owl: Look up! Look up at the sun! I see a bright orange cloud.

They are here!

Narrator: The butterflies land on the trees. They cover the green branches in orange.

Fir Tree: Welcome, little butterflies! Rest your wings here.

Squirrel: Wow! The forest is so pretty now. We are so happy you are home.

Owl: Sleep tight, sweet butterflies. We will watch over you all winter.

Narrator: The forest is quiet and peaceful. The big trip is over.

Glossary
Oyamel fir:
A type of tall evergreen tree with soft green needles that grows in the high hills of Mexico.
Branches:
The woody parts of a tree that grow out from the trunk and hold leaves or needles.
Peaceful:
Calm, quiet, and free from any disturbance.
needles:
Thin, pointed leaves found on evergreen trees like fir trees.
guests:
Visitors who come to stay or spend time in a place.

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

    Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.

  • 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.

Sign up with emailLog in

Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Where does the story take place?
  2. 2What kind of tree is Fir Tree in the story?

Where this passage belongs

About this reader's theater passage for Lower Elementary

“Welcome Home, Monarchs!” is a reader's theater reading passage about Monarch Butterfly Migration, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (226 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “Welcome Home, Monarchs!” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Welcome Home, Monarchs!”?

It’s written for Lower Elementary — a reader's theater text about Monarch Butterfly Migration, about a 2-minute read (226 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. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.