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The Backpack Surprise - Reading Comprehension

First-day-of-school story for beginning readers: a girl finds a surprise note in her backpack, and five questions after the passage check what readers remember.
Grades
Preschool–2, Elementary
Pages
2
File type
PDF
Preparation
Print ready

Updated Oct 19, 2026

Subject
ELA, Language Development, Reading, Reading Comprehension, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Months, August
Topic
reading, reading comprehension
Resource types
Worksheets & Printables, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Activities
Preparation
Print ready

About this resource

What's inside this resource

The Backpack Surprise is a fun and easy to read story that young students will enjoy. It tells the tale of a child who finds something unexpected in their backpack on the first day of school. The short passage is written with simple words and clear sentences, making it just right for beginning readers.

How You Can Use It:

  • Read it together as a class to build fluency and talk about the story.

  • Use it in small groups to support students who need extra practice.

  • Assign it as independent work or send it home for extra reading.

  • Use it as a quick check to see how well students understand what they read.

  • Kick off a back to school activity with a fun and friendly reading task.

Why Teachers Love It:

  • It keeps students interested with a story they can relate to.

  • The five questions after the passage help students think about what they read.

  • It’s great for building vocabulary and sparking conversations.

  • The short length fits easily into busy schedules.

  • It works well in reading centers or for substitute teachers.

This resource is a great way to help students enjoy reading while practicing important skills.

Enjoy!

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Recall key details from The Backpack Surprise to answer five questions

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