Priya and the Cardboard Rocket

Read the story

Read the story. Look for time words, and for what Priya does, thinks and feels.

1On Saturday morning, Priya found a big cardboard box by the back door. "I will build a rocket!" she thought. She felt excited as she grabbed her tape and her silver marker.

2First, Priya cut two round windows in the box. Next, she drew bright buttons on the side. Then she tried to stand the rocket up, but it tipped over with a thump. Priya frowned. "This is so hard," she thought. She felt like giving up.

3Just then, Priya had an idea. She found a flat piece of cardboard and taped it under the box to make a wide base. She held her breath and let go.

4The rocket stood tall! Finally, Priya hopped inside and counted down, "Three, two, one, blast off!" She felt proud of what she had built. She could not wait to show it to her little brother, Dev.

Look closely at the story

Answer each question about the story.

Read paragraph 1. Underline the sentence that tells when the story starts.

What happens in each paragraph? Match each paragraph to its event.

Did each event happen before or after the rocket tipped over? Sort the events.

Does each sentence tell what Priya did, what she thought, or how she felt? Sort the sentences.

Write the time word from the word bank that belongs in each blank.

Kofi made a paper boat.
, he picked a square sheet of paper.
, he folded the paper in half.
, he set the boat in a pan of water and watched it float.

Mina climbed to the top of a tall slide. Which sentence tells how she felt?

A. Mina climbed up the ladder and held on to the rail.B. Mina wore a green shirt and red shoes with white laces.C. Mina saw two kids waiting in a long line at the park.D. Mina's hands shook, and she felt nervous at the top.

Wen looked all over the house for her blue hat. At last, she found it under the couch. Which sentence is the best ending for the story?

A. Just then, Wen heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen.B. Wen hung the hat on a hook by the door and felt glad.C. Have you ever lost a hat that you really liked?D. Blue is a color that many people like to wear on cold days.

Plan your own story

Think of a time when you made or fixed something. Plan your story in three parts.

Beginning: Write one or two sentences that tell when your story starts and who is in it.

Middle: Tell what happened. Use time words such as first, next, and then. Add one thing you thought or felt.

10.

Ending: Write a sentence that closes your story.