Have Arbor plan your child’s whole year. Like this sheet, every lesson tells you what to say and do, step by step, at your child’s level. Free for 14 days.
How to use this in 5 minutes
1Before reading. Say, “This story is about a snail race. What do you know about snails?”
2Your child reads. Say, “Read it to me. Stop at the end of each part and tell me what just happened.”
3Prove it. Say, “When you answer, show me the words in the story that tell you.”
Tip. Question 3 asks how Dee feels and how we know. Accept any feeling the story backs up, as long as your child can point to the words that show it.
1Before reading.Say:“This story is about a snail race. What do you know about snails?”
2Your child reads.Say:“Read it to me. Stop at the end of each part and tell me what just happened.”
3Prove it.Say:“When you answer, show me the words in the story that tell you.”
Tip. Question 3 asks how Dee feels and how we know. Accept any feeling the story backs up, as long as your child can point to the words that show it.
1Read the story
Pepper Takes His Time
Every spring, the kids on Birch Road hold a snail race. This year, Dee found a snail under a leaf by the barn. She named him Pepper.
On race day, Dee set Pepper on the start line next to five other snails. “Go, Pepper!” she shouted. The other snails began to creep forward, but Pepper did not move. He pulled into his shell and stayed there.
Dee wanted to give up. Then she had an idea. She remembered that snails like things damp. She dipped her finger in her cup and let one drop of water fall beside Pepper’s shell.
Slowly, Pepper poked his head out. Then he began to glide toward the finish line. He did not win. A snail named Zip got there first. But Pepper crossed the line, and Dee cheered the loudest of all.
After the race, Dee carried Pepper back to his leaf by the barn.
2Answer the questions
1. What went wrong on race day?
2. What did Dee do to help Pepper?
3. How did Dee feel when Pepper crossed the line? How do you know?
4. Which word means “to move very slowly”? Circle it.creepcheershout
ArborFree printableFor the grown-up
2nd grade · Reading
Answer key
A story to read: Pepper Takes His Time
2Answer the questions
1. Pepper would not move. He pulled into his shell and stayed there.
2. She let a drop of water fall beside his shell, because snails like things damp.
3. Happy or proud. She cheered the loudest of all.
4. creep
If it’s hard
If your child can’t find an answer, read that part of the story aloud together and ask again.
Short answers are fine. A few words that show understanding beat a long sentence copied from the story.
Have Arbor plan your child’s whole year
Reading, math and every subject you choose, planned for the year and written out lesson by lesson for you to teach, at your child’s level, with the records kept as you go. Free for 14 days.
