Thomas woke up very early for his first day of school.  He was very frightened about what was ahead of him.  Thomas was a small boy.  He was shorter than most of the kids his age and he had thick, brown hair that was very wavy.  He got dressed and ate some breakfast that his mom had made.  Out of all the things that Thomas was most scared about on this day was his ride on the big, yellow school bus.  He didn't know if the other kids would be nice to him and he had already had bad dreams about a mean bus driver. 
    Thomas's mom walked him to the bus stop after breakfast and stood with him until they both saw the school bus getting closer and closer.  Thomas was shaking because he was so nervous about getting on the bus.  The bus pulled up and the door opened.  The bus driver, Mrs. Stephens, opened the bus door and warmly welcomed Thomas onto the bus.  Thomas walked up the steps and his mother watched with a smile on her face.  He turned around when he got to the top step and waved goodbye to his mother.  As Thomas walked down the aisle of the bus each child asked if Thomas wanted to sit down.  Everyone was very nice to him.  Thomas took a seat with another small boy who had blonde hair.  They rode all the way to school together laughing and talking.  They became fast friends.  Thomas decided that the school bus was no so scary at all!




Critical thinking questions to ask students that would change your story to their story:
1. How would you change the main character? (Introduction)
2. Where would your story take place? (Setting)
3. What would happen to the main character in your story? (Plot)
4. How would your story end? (Ending)

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