The Field Trip
Reading Comprehension Activity
Rosie’s class is taking its first field trip to the art museum, and Rosie is very excited. Students will read the passage and answer follow-up questions about setting and other story elements.
Topic(s): Realistic Fiction. Skill(s): Character Traits, Story Elements. Genre(s): Prose
Click for the passage & questions on one printable PDF.
Rosie felt funny as she stepped off the school bus in front of Clara Barton Elementary School. She did not have her backpack with her today, because she didn’t need her books. She carried only a brown paper bag with a sandwich and an apple for lunch. Today was the second grade field trip to the art museum, and everyone needed to bring a lunch along.
When she got to her classroom, Ms. Kim told Rosie to keep her coat on. The class lined up right away to get back on a different bus. “The sooner we leave, the more time we’ll have at the museum,” Ms. Kim explained.
The bus ride to the museum was short. During the trip, Ms. Kim reminded all of the second graders in Rosie’s class that the museum was a quiet place. They should whisper to each other and be careful not to run. “Most importantly, do not touch any of the paintings,” said Ms. Kim.
Once the class arrived at the museum, Ms. Kim led them into a room filled with large paintings. The paintings were very colorful. There was a skylight in the ceiling, so the room was flooded with bright sunshine. There were also benches in the center of the room. Rosie sat down.
The painting on the wall across from her bench was mostly red, with many orange, green and purple dots. Rosie had never seen anything like it. It wasn’t a picture of anything Rosie could name, but she liked the colors and the patterns. She thought she would try to make a picture like it with crayons when she got home.
As Rosie looked around, she realized that none of the paintings in the room were pictures of anything. There were no animals or houses, only colors and shapes. It was very exciting! Some of the paintings made Rosie feel sad, while others made her happy. She didn’t know that art could make her feel something, but these paintings did.
Rosie took her time moving from one painting to the next, trying to decide how each one made her feel. Before she knew it, Ms. Kim was handing out lunches and leading the class to the picnic area outside.
Rosie couldn’t wait to finish eating and go back inside to see as many paintings as she could before her trip was finished.
Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.