The Small Stage

Mia wants to give a talk at school.

Her topic is how to make a bird feeder.

She writes five short notes on cards.

Then she practices in front of her mirror.

Her little brother Ben watches and smiles.

On Friday, Mia stands in the classroom.

Her hands shake a little at first.

She takes a slow breath and looks at her cards.

She speaks slowly and shows a real feeder.

The class claps and asks many questions.

Mia feels proud, and she wants to speak again.

After school, Mia makes a poster about checking facts.

She writes three easy questions on it: Who says this?

Is it true?

Why do they say it?

Her friends read the poster and try the questions on a funny video.

They find one wrong idea and laugh.

Now Mia's class always checks before they share.

Mia smiles: small steps make smart readers.