Reading Lesson Plan · Grades 1–3
The Circus — Reading Comprehension Lesson
Students read a short story about Mike and Emily visiting the circus, then answer comprehension questions about characters, events, and story details.
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Subject
Reading
Grades
Grades 1–3
Skill Focus
reading comprehension, story details, prediction
Lesson Length
30–45 minutes
Lesson Overview
About This Reading Comprehension Worksheet
This 3-page reading comprehension worksheet features a short fiction story called “The Circus.” Mike and Emily are excited when the circus comes to town. They clean their rooms so they can go, then watch performers including a bear on a motorcycle, ten clowns from a tiny car, and trained dogs — before getting called up to help with an act.
After reading the passage, students answer multiple-choice and open-response questions covering character relationships, story sequence, and prediction. An answer key is included on the final page.
Recommended for Grades 1–3. Suitable for individual reading, guided reading groups, or a literacy center activity.
How to Use This Lesson
Print the reading passage and distribute to students.
Students read the story independently or with a partner.
Students complete the comprehension questions on page 2.
Review answers as a class using the answer key on page 3.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages
The Circus Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Download a 3-page printable with a fiction reading passage, comprehension questions, and answer key.
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