IXL | Read along with fantasy | 1st grade language arts

Listen and read along with the first part of the story.

The Witchland Spell Contest

Shanice watched Thomas tapping his broom on the floor as they waited for the contest to start. "Are you okay?" she asked him.

He shook his head. "What if my spell doesn't work?"

Shanice put her arm around her friend. "You'll do fine! It's just a silly spell contest anyway."

Shanice was trying to help Thomas stop worrying. But the truth was that she was worried too. The Witchland Spell Contest meant just as much to her as it did to Thomas. All the young witches felt the same way.

"I've told you all about my spell," Thomas said. "But you haven't told me about yours."

Shanice smiled. "I haven't told anyone about it. But since you're my best friend, I'll give you a hint. It's kind of . . . different."

How does Shanice really feel about the spell contest? Look for clues in the story.

She thinks the contest is too easy.

She cares a lot about the contest.

She feels that the contest is unfair.

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Learn with an example

question

Listen and read along with the first part of the story.

Uncle Wizard

"What's the big news?" Barrie asked. But Uncle Wizard didn't seem to hear. He snapped his fingers, making a cup of hot chocolate appear.

"Shhh, Barrie. He'll tell us when he's ready," Aubrey said. She shook her wand, and tiny pink butterflies flew out. Duke waved his wand and turned them into flies.

Barrie's cousins were always showing off silly magic. Barrie wanted to learn the hard stuff, like how to make a storm.

Uncle Wizard cleared his throat. "Soon I will turn 250. I am no longer young! It's time I trained one of you to be a real wizard."

Aubrey and Duke hooted. Barrie jumped up and down. But then she looked at her cousins. "Uncle Wizard will probably choose one of them," she thought.

Look at the picture. Why does Barrie probably think that Uncle Wizard will choose one of her cousins?

because they give Uncle Wizard a magic ring

because they are both older than Barrie

because they wear the same robes as Uncle Wizard

key idea

Some stories have illustrations, or pictures that go with the story. Illustrations can help you imagine what is happening in the story. Illustrations can also help you understand the story better.

solution

In the picture, Barrie's cousins are taller than she is. They look a few years older than Barrie. Older kids are often trusted to do things that younger kids are not.

This helps you understand why Barrie probably thinks that Uncle Wizard will choose one of her cousins. It is because they are older.

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

DD.1Choose the picture that matches the setting or character

DD.2Use actions and dialogue to understand characters

Z.1What is the picture about?

HH.1Read animal fantasy

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