Lola helps with chores illustration
Passage Activities:

Words: 301-400

Skills: Context Clues Story Elements

Grades: K 1st

Topics: Realistic Fiction

Genres: Prose

Lexile Range: —

Lexile Measure: —

CCSS: Reading: Literature

Themes: —

Lola Helps with Chores

by Elizabeth Trach

Lola wants to go to the park, but her mother is very busy. If Lola helps with the chores, she might get to play sooner. Will her plan work? Students will read the passage and answer follow-up questions about character and other story elements. This passage also includes words from the pre-primer and primer Dolch sight words lists.

Reading Comprehension Passage

Lola Helps with Chores

by Elizabeth Trach
It was Saturday morning. The sun was shining. Lola got out of bed and looked out the window. It was a lovely day. Lola wanted to go to the park.

Lola walked into the kitchen. "Can we please go to the park today?" she asked.

Mom was wiping the kitchen table. "Maybe," she said. "But first I must clean the kitchen."

Lola felt sad. She wanted to go to the park right away. "Will it take long?" she asked.

"It will go faster if you help me," Mom said. 

"Okay!" said Lola. "What should I do?"

"I'm going to wash the dishes," Mom said. "You can help by drying them."

Lola picked up a soft towel and rubbed it across each plate that Mom handed her. When the plate was dry, Lola had to find where it belonged to put it away. She knew where the plates, forks and spoons went. She was not sure about the coffee mugs, though. "Where should I put these cups?" she asked.

"The mugs belong on a high shelf. I will put them away in a minute," Mom said. She washed the last dish and rinsed the suds down the drain. "Now it's time to sweep the floor," she said. 

Mom handed Lola a broom and told her to push the dirt toward the door. Lola made a neat pile of crumbs and Mom used a special brush to push sweep them into a pan. 

"Now we can go to the park! Find your shoes and I will meet you at the door."
Lola put on her sneakers and opened the door. She and Mom walked outside into the sunshine. Then they walked up the hill toward the park. Lola smiled. She was glad to help Mom finish the chores faster so they could play together this morning. 

Mom smiled too. "I want to say thank you for helping me," Mom said. "Now we can enjoy the day."

Lola held Mom's hand and they walked into the park to play. 

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Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What does Lola want to do when she wakes up?






2. According to the story, what is a mug?







3. How does Mom feel when Lola helps her do the chores?





4. What is your favorite chore to help with at home? Why do you like it?





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Sight Words

This passage includes words that students should learn to recognize on sight. We've highlighted 12 of these words below, from the Dolch sight word list for Pre-K through 2nd grade. Tip: Read through the passage once with your student. Read a second time, but pause on the sight word and ask your student to say the word.

Sight Word List

  1. away
  2. can
  3. down
  4. find
  5. help
  6. look
  7. please
  8. say
  9. want
  10. bed
  11. door
  12. hand

Flash Cards

Print and cut-out the flash cards below for additional sight word practice.