Third Grade
Worksheets
Mariana's Polar Bear Swim
Polar Bear Day
Reading Comprehension for February 27
Once Mariana Lopez reached the frigid water's edge, she knew she had made a mistake. She liked her baths warm and her chocolate hot. What had made her take the dare to go for a winter swim with the Polar Bear Club? Swimming in icy water had been a Polar Bear Club tradition for decades. However, Mariana's family observed a different tradition. When they swam, it was in a heated indoor pool. What had she been thinking?
She peered into the water from the safety of the dock. The temperature was so low that even the fish were shivering! The weak sunlight did nothing to chase away the chill in the air. Mariana looked at her tan arms. Her goose bumps had goose bumps!
"Hey, girly, are you ready to be a real Polar Bear?"
Mariana turned to look at Mrs. Fleming. She wore blue flip-flops on her pasty white feet. Mrs. Fleming was as white as a polar bear! The thought almost put a grin on Mariana's face, but it was too cold to grin.
"I think I've changed my mind," Mariana said, pulling her fluffy yellow towel more tightly around her tankini-clad body. Her knees were knocking nearly as fast as her teeth were chattering.
Mrs. Fleming turned to the gathering crowd. With her hands cupped around her mouth, she called, "We've got a chicken in our midst!"
Mariana blushed and protested. "I'm not chicken; I'm cold!"
A young man with spiky hair and a goatee sauntered toward Mariana. "You don't know what cold is until you've taken the plunge!"
