Generated with Monsha
Save this resource to edit, expand, or export it, or create more resources for free.
The New Kid Reading Passage — 5th Grade ELA (Empathy and Character Traits Story)
Adaptive Reading Passage
Grade 5
English
The New Kid Reading Passage — 5th Grade ELA (Empathy and Character Traits Story)
The New Kid
Maya stood at the entrance of Oak Creek Elementary, clutching the straps of her backpack until her knuckles turned white. The hallway was a sea of moving bodies, denim jackets, and bright sneakers. Students shouted greetings to friends they hadn't seen all summer, their voices echoing off the tall lockers. Maya took a small step forward, then another, feeling like a tiny boat trying to navigate a stormy ocean.
She looked down at the crumpled schedule in her hand: Room 214, Mr. Henderson. She turned left, passing a display of student artwork, but the numbers on the doors were all in the 100s. A group of boys ran past her, laughing loudly. Maya flattened herself against the wall to stay out of their way. She wanted to ask for help, but her throat felt like it was full of dry sand. After five minutes of wandering, a teacher finally noticed her hovering near the library and pointed her toward the stairs. By the time Maya slipped into Room 214, the late bell had already rung. Every head turned to look at her. Mr. Henderson smiled kindly, but Maya kept her eyes fixed on the floor as she scurried to the only empty desk in the back row.
The morning didn't get much easier. During math, she didn't know where the graph paper was kept. During science, everyone else seemed to have a partner already. When the lunch bell finally rang, Maya’s stomach did a nervous flip.
The cafeteria was a roar of sound. Maya moved through the line, her plastic tray feeling heavy. She scanned the long tables, looking for a sliver of space. Every seat seemed claimed by a backpack, a lunchbox, or a person leaning in close to whisper a secret. She found a spot at the very end of a table near the trash cans and focused intensely on her turkey sandwich, trying to look like she was too busy eating to talk to anyone.
"Hey, is anyone sitting here?"
Maya looked up, startled. A boy with a messy mop of hair and a bright green shirt was pointing to the empty chair across from him. A few other students were sitting nearby, chatting about a new video game.
"No," Maya whispered.
"I'm Jordan," the boy said, sliding his tray closer to make more room. "We're in the same social studies class. You're the one who knew the answer about the Oregon Trail, right?"
Maya nodded, a tiny bit of the tension leaving her shoulders. "I'm Maya. I just moved here from Portland."
"Cool!" Jordan grinned. "This is Leo and Sam. Want to see a trick Leo can do with his juice box?"
For the first time all day, Maya smiled. She didn't say much, but she listened to them talk about the soccer team and the upcoming school play. The cafeteria didn't feel quite so loud anymore.
The next morning, Maya walked through the front doors with her head a little higher. She knew where Room 214 was now. As she passed the library, she saw a boy sitting on a bench, his eyes fixed on his shoes. He was wearing a backpack that looked brand new, and he was biting his lip just like Maya had done the day before.
Maya hesitated, her heart thumping. She thought about Jordan’s green shirt and the way he had made room on the bench. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the boy.
"Hi," she said, her voice steady. "I'm Maya. Are you new here, too?"
Discussion Questions
- How does Maya's perspective of the school change from the beginning of the story to the end? What specific actions from other characters caused this change?
- Jordan didn't do anything "big" like save Maya's life or give her a prize. Why was his small action so important to the plot?
- Think about your own school. What are three specific things a student could do during the first week of the year to help someone like Maya feel they belong?