Reading Instructions

First, carefully read the short text below. Record yourself while reading the text by clicking the orange record button.

Alp the Dog

This is my dog. His name is Alp. He digs up my plants.

Oh no! The thick, black mud makes him messy.

Alp chews my socks. Lots and lots of socks.

Oh no!

Alp is a good dog, but he is messy.

Writing Instructions

Complete the sentences on a sheet of paper and upload the image with your answer below.

Reading Instructions

First, carefully read the short text below. After reading the text, you will answer three questions. Click the orange record button below each question and speak your answer.

Messy Mindy, Tidy Ted

Mindy is messy. Just look at her room! Her bed is not made. There are toys here and there. There are socks on her desk. There are books everywhere. A pair of pink roller skates are under her bed. Along with some games and a plush bear she calls Fred. Messy Mindy is very messy.

Question 4

Record yourself reading these sentences out loud.

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Mindy is messy. Just look at her room! Her bed is not made. There are toys here and there. There are socks on her desk.

Writing Instructions

Write a few sentences on the following topic without help from a dictionary or anyone else. You can write as much or as little as you like, but we recommend at least three sentences, and no more than 50 words. Be sure to use your best handwriting. When you are done, take a photo or scan the page and upload it here. We’re excited to read your work!

Topic

What do you like to do to have fun? Do you like to read, draw pictures, or play games? What else do you like to do?

Reading Instructions

First, carefully read the short text below. After reading the text, you will answer three questions. Click the orange record button below each question and speak your answer.

Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)

Hinamatsuri is a special day in Japan. It is also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day. Every year on March 3rd, families with young girls celebrate this holiday. They set up hina ningyo (dolls) on a tiered platform. Setting out hina dolls is good luck. The dolls bring happiness and good health to the girls in the family.

Question 1

What is another name for hinamatsuri?

Question 2

On what day is hinamatsuri celebrated?

Question 3

What does setting up hina dolls bring to the girls in the family?

Question 4

Record yourself reading these sentences out loud.

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Hinamatsuri is a special day in Japan. It is also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day. Every year on March 3rd, families with young girls celebrate this holiday.

Writing Instructions

Write a few sentences on the following topic without help from a dictionary or anyone else. You can write as much or as little as you like, but we recommend at least three sentences, and no more than 100 words. Be sure to use your best handwriting. When you are done, take a photo or scan the page and upload it here. We’re excited to read your work!

Topic

What is your favorite animal? Why is this? Have you ever seen or even touched that animal?

Reading Instructions

First, carefully read the short text below. After reading the text, you will answer three questions. Click the orange record button below each question and speak your answer.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

There was once a shepherd boy. He kept sheep in a field near his village. It was a dull job, and the boy often became bored. To amuse himself, he often called out “Wolf! Wolf!” although there was no wolf at all.

Each time the villagers heard him, they stopped what they were doing. They rushed to the field to save the sheep from the wolf’s sharp teeth. When they got to the field, the boy just laughed. The naughty¹ boy played this joke several times.

Finally, the villagers got tired of him. But one day, a wolf really did come to the field. The boy cried, “Wolf! Wolf!” But no one came to rescue² him. The wolf enjoyed a feast³ of sheep that day!

Vocabulary

¹naughty means badly behaved

²rescue means save from trouble

³feast means big meal

Question 1

Did the boy enjoy his job?

Question 2

What did the villagers do every time the boy cried “Wolf!”?

Question 3

Why did the villagers not believe the boy when the wolf really came?

Question 4

Record yourself reading the following paragraph from the passage above out loud.

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Each time the villagers heard him, they stopped what they were doing. They rushed to the field to save the sheep from the wolf’s sharp teeth. When they got to the field, the boy just laughed. The naughty¹ boy played this joke several times.

Writing Instructions

Write a short essay on the following topic without help from a dictionary or anyone else. You can write as much or as little as you like, but we recommend at least five sentences, and no more than one sheet of A4 / 400 words. Be sure to use your best handwriting. When you are done, take a photo or scan the page and upload it here. We’re excited to read your work! 

Topic

What job would you like to do when you grow up? Why is this? Do you think it would be a fun job, a hard job, or an interesting job?