Beginnings and Endings Worksheet
This beginnings and endings worksheet helps 2nd graders read a short story, find what the beginning and ending do, and explain the lesson. An answer key is included.
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About this resource
Description
Every good story has a strong start and a satisfying finish, and this beginnings and endings worksheet helps young readers see what each part of a story does. The beginning of a story tells who the story is about, where it happens, and what problem the character faces. The ending shows how that problem gets solved and what the character learns.
About This Worksheet
This 2nd grade plot worksheet opens with a gentle watercolor picture and a short story about a little red squirrel who cannot find the acorns she hid before the snow fell. Students read the story, then answer four multiple choice questions that walk from the beginning, through the problem and the turning point, to the ending. A short written response asks what the squirrel learns at the end, so children practice using details from the text to support their answer.
What’s Included
- One illustrated story that shows a clear beginning and ending
- Four multiple choice plot questions
- One short written response
- A full answer key
Why Kids Love It
First, the squirrel’s snowy search is easy to picture and fun to follow. Second, the questions follow the order of the story, which helps children see how a plot is built. Third, the written response teaches students to go back to the text for evidence, a skill they will use in every grade.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Read the story together first, then ask children to point to the sentences that make up the beginning and the ending. Invite students to write a new ending for the squirrel, or to find the beginning and ending in a favorite picture book. Use this beginnings and endings worksheet as a quick story elements worksheet for small groups, reading centers, or homework.
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