Overview
This is a self-contained, no-technology substitute packet for Grade 3. Students read an
original short story, "The Lost Mitten," then find its lesson (the central message),
describe the main character (Sam) with a feeling word and a detail, and write the
lesson with one detail that shows it. Working alone with a pencil, students guess from the
title, read the story, retell it (beginning–middle–end), pick the sentence that best shows
the lesson, and write a one-sentence lesson with support. Every question can be answered
directly from the printed story, and the story can be read aloud.
Accessible version of the student activity
The full student activity, including the complete story, is reproduced below in plain,
screen-reader-friendly HTML. It reflows on phones and at 200% zoom. Write your answers on
the printed packet.
Start (5 minutes) — Look & Think
- The story is called "The Lost Mitten." What might happen in this story? Write one guess.
- A lesson is what a story teaches us. Write one lesson you know, like "be kind."
Build (10 minutes) — Read the story
Words to know
- chilly
- a little cold.
- notice
- to see something.
- grateful
- happy that someone helped you.
"The Lost Mitten" — an original short story
Part 1. It was a chilly morning. Sam walked to school with his hands deep in his
coat. On the sidewalk he saw a small red mitten. It did not belong to him.
Part 2. Sam was in a hurry. He wanted to get to class and play with his friends
before the bell rang. "Someone else will find it," he thought. He kept walking. But he
could not help it — he looked back at the little mitten sitting all alone in the snow.
Part 3. Then Sam stopped. He remembered how sad he felt last week when he lost his
own hat. He turned around and picked up the mitten. It was tiny, like it came from a little
kid.
Part 4. Sam took the mitten to the school office. A young boy named Theo was
there. Theo was crying because his hands were cold. When Theo saw the red mitten, he smiled
big. It was his!
Part 5. Theo was so grateful. "Thank you!" he said. Sam felt warm inside, even on
the chilly day. Being a little late was worth it. He learned that helping someone feels
better than hurrying.
- In part 1, what does Sam find on the sidewalk?
Apply (15 minutes) — Read closely
- Retell the story: write the beginning, middle, and end. Keep each one short.
- The main character: Sam is the main character. Pick a feeling word for Sam at the end,
then tell why, using a detail.
- The lesson: what lesson does the story teach? Write it as one sentence.
- Which sentence shows the lesson? Choose one.
- A. "It was a chilly morning."
- B. "He turned around and picked up the mitten."
- C. "Sam wanted to get to class and play."
- D. "On the sidewalk he saw a small red mitten."
Explain (10 minutes) — Write the lesson
Question 8. Write the lesson in one sentence. Then write one detail that shows it.
Last, tell how it shows the lesson.
You may start with: "The lesson is…"; "In the story…"; "This shows the lesson because…"
Close (5 minutes) — ACE
- Answer: say the lesson of the story in your own words, in one sentence.
- Cite: name one part (1–5) where you see the lesson.
- Extend: tell about a time you helped someone.
Continue (optional, ~15 minutes) — Early finisher
Draw the main character, Sam, on the back of the page. Then write a one-sentence caption
that tells what Sam is doing.
Turn in
Hand in the whole packet with your name, class, and date, with questions 1–8 and the ACE
box done. Include the optional drawing if you made one.