First Day Feelings Reading Worksheet
First Day Feelings
Adapted from "The First Day of Middle School" by Patty Hansen
Name:
Date:
Directions: Read the story below. Notice how the author's feelings change from the beginning to the end.
😰 Nervous
Part 1: The Scary Dream
My hands were shaking as I tried to turn my locker lock. I tried to remember the numbers, but the lock would not open! In my dream, the hallway grew longer and longer. I was late for class and started to cry. Then—BEEP! BEEP! My alarm went off. It was only a dream, but today was really the first day of school.
😟 Worried
Part 2: So Many Big Worries
I had butterflies in my tummy. Everything felt brand new. Instead of one teacher, I had many different teachers. I had to ride a noisy yellow bus, navigate huge hallways, and meet new classmates. I felt clumsy, awkward, and scared that I would be the only kid who felt lost.
😅 Surprised
Part 3: Hallway Mix-Ups
When I got to school, I wrote my locker combination on my hand, but sweaty palms wiped it off! But when I looked around, other kids were dropping their books. Almost everyone had forgotten their combinations too! We looked at each other and started giggling. I was not alone at all.
😊 Relieved
Part 4: Feeling Right at Home
As the weeks went by, school got much easier. Soon, I could spin my locker lock open without looking. I made great new friends and decorated my locker. I realized that the first day is scary for everyone, but once you get through it, you can handle anything!
First Day Feelings • Reading Passage Page 1 of 3
Comprehension Check
Story Clues & Questions
Name:
1 How did the author feel at the very beginning before school started?
A Angry and wanting to stay home
B Excited to get lots of homework
C Nervous and worried about being lost
D Bored because school was too easy
2 What made the author feel better in the hallway on the first day?
A The principal gave out free ice cream
B Seeing that other kids were having trouble too
C Finding a map on the classroom floor
D Getting to go home early before lunch
3 When the author says "butterflies in my tummy," what does that mean?
A They ate insects for breakfast
B They felt nervous and fluttery inside
C They felt sick from riding the bus
D They were extremely hungry for lunch
4 What is the main lesson of this story?
A Lockers are impossible to open
B Never ride the yellow school bus
C New things feel scary, but get easier over time
D Dreams always tell you what will happen next
Emotion Sequence: Connect the Feelings!
Number the emotions in order from 1 (First) to 3 (Last) as they happened in the story:
😊
Relieved & Happy
Order: [ ___ ]
😰
Nervous & Afraid
Order: [ ___ ]
😅
Surprised & Laughing
Order: [ ___ ]
First Day Feelings • Comprehension Check Page 2 of 3
Graphic Organizer
First Day Emojis
Using Emojis to Represent My Emotions
Name:
Date:
Emoji Emotion Word Bank Pick an emoji or draw your own!
😰
Nervous
🤩
Excited
😜
Silly
😎
Proud
🫣
Shy
😵💫
Confused
😊
Happy
😌
Calm
Draw Emoji
Moment 1
1. Before School Started (The Beginning):
How did you feel before your first day of school? Why did you feel that way?
Draw Emoji
Moment 2
2. During the School Day (The Middle):
What was one surprise or funny moment during the day? What emoji shows how you felt?
Draw Emoji
Moment 3
3. Looking Back / Now (The End):
How do you feel now about your school year? What advice would you give a younger student?
First Day Feelings • Emoji Reflection Organizer Page 3 of 3
