The Newcomer

This worksheet supports students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 as they build reading comprehension, empathy, written response skills, and social awareness through a meaningful narrative about inclusion. Students read a story about a new student feeling nervous at school and respond to open-ended questions that focus on character feelings, key details, supportive actions, and real-life connections.

Skills Reinforced

• Reading Comprehension of Narrative Text (Grades 3-5): Identify important details, events, and character actions within a story
• Written Response & Text Evidence (ELA Connection): Answer questions using complete sentences and details from the text
• Inclusion & Relationship Skills: Understand how welcoming behaviors help others feel safe and accepted
• Empathy & Kindness: Explore emotions such as nervousness, belonging, and confidence through character experiences

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource: Designed by educators to integrate literacy instruction with social-emotional learning
• Open-Ended Reflection: Encourages deeper thinking and personal connections to the story
• Flexible Use: Ideal for ELA lessons, SEL instruction, counseling groups, morning meetings, or homeschool learning
• Discussion-Friendly: Promotes thoughtful classroom conversations about inclusion and helping others

This The Newcomer worksheet helps students strengthen comprehension, empathy, and reflective writing while exploring the importance of kindness and inclusion. By analyzing how positive peer actions create a sense of belonging, learners develop social awareness and practical strategies for welcoming others. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this printable resource supports meaningful literacy learning and encourages students to build caring, inclusive classroom communities.

This worksheet is part of our Friendship Skills Worksheets Collection.