Emma s big game 3
Passage Activities:

Words: 401-500

Skills: Character Traits Context Clues Story Elements Summary

Grades: 3rd 4th 5th

Topics: Realistic Fiction

Genres: Prose

Lexile Range: —

Lexile Measure: —

CCSS: Reading: Literature

Themes: —

Emma's Big Game

by Elizabeth Trach

Emma's baseball team is playing in the championship game, and Emma wants to win more than anything. Will she be able to help her team to victory? Students will read the story and answer follow-up questions about character, plot, and vocabulary. 

Reading Comprehension Passage

Emma's Big Game

by Elizabeth Trach

Emma was very excited. Today was the championship baseball game! The winners would all get trophies and be the number one players in the town. Emma was determined to bring home a trophy to put on her shelf. She had never won a trophy before.

She put on her red uniform and pulled her hair through the back of her baseball cap. She picked up her glove and looked in the mirror. "I hope I get a hit today," she told her reflection.

On the way to field, Emma felt nervous. She tapped her foot on the floor of the car.

"Are you feeling okay, Emma?" her mother asked.

"I really don't want to strike out," Emma said.

"Just keep your eye on the ball and don't feel afraid. You can do it," Emma's mother said.

Emma was a great hitter in practice, but she had never hit a ball during a game. She almost always struck out. Sometimes she got on base when the pitcher walked her.

When the game started, Emma cheered loudly for her friends. She caught a fly ball in the outfield to make an out, and everyone cheered for her. Emma struck out when it was her turn to bat, but her team was doing well.

The game was tied, and it was her team's last chance to score. Frankie was up first, and he hit the ball hard to get on base. Next up was Henry, but he struck out. Kara hit the ball, but she was tagged out at first base. Frankie was able to run to third. That meant he could score and win the game if the next batter got a good hit.

Emma stepped up to the plate. She closed her eyes and swung hard at the first pitch, but missed.

"Keep your eye on the ball, Emma!" her mother called from the stands.

Emma nodded and stepped back into the batter's box. This time she kept her eyes wide open as she swung the bat.

Crack!

Emma had hit the ball! She ran as fast as she could. She was safe, and Frankie ran home. They won!

"Great game, everyone!" said Emma's coach later. "Here are your trophies."

Emma held her shiny trophy high in the air. She felt very proud of her whole team. Best of all, she couldn't wait to put the new trophy on her shelf at home.


Passage Only

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Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Based on the story, what does the word "championship" mean?



2. At the end of the story, Emma is at bat again. What does she do wrong with the first pitch?



3. What advice did Emma’s mom give her?



4. Which do you think was more important to Emma: getting a hit in the game or the trophy? Why?

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Vocabulary List

Vocabulary List

Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.

  1. reflection
  2. outfield
  3. score

Context Clues

Context Clues

Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.

1. “She picked up her glove and looked in the mirror. 'I hope I get a hit today,' she told her reflection”

a. lucky item; charm     b. image or likeness     c. recording device     d. doubting thoughts

2. “She caught a fly ball in the outfield to make an out”

a. dugout; place for players     b. batter's box     c. pitcher's area     d. outer area of a baseball diamond

3. “it was her team's last chance to score”

a. bat a ball     b. make an out     c. make a point     d. frighten an opponent