girl carrying a pink bag
A1 Lessons

A1 Lesson: The New Kid at School

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Content Objective: Students follow a short story about a teenage girl’s first day at a new school and can talk about the new people and places she encounters.

Language Objective: Students learn to form and use the simple present tense of “to be” (am/is/are) and “have/has” to describe people, feelings, and possessions.

blond girl leaning on a table
Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

1. Reading Section

Mia is fourteen years old. Today is her first day at a new school. She is a little nervous, but she is also excited.

Mia’s family is new in this town. They have a new house. It is small, but it is nice. Mia’s new school is big. It has three floors and a big garden.

Her teacher is Mr. Chen. He is friendly. He has a big smile. The classroom is bright. It has twenty desks.

Mia sits next to a girl named Anna. Anna is very kind. She has long black hair and a big backpack. Anna has many pens and pencils in her bag.

“Hi, I’m Anna,” she says. “Welcome to our class!”

“Thank you,” Mia says. “I’m Mia.”

Anna has a lot of friends. Her friends are Leo and Sam. Leo is tall. He has short brown hair. Sam is funny. She has glasses and a red T-shirt.

At lunch, Anna, Leo, Sam, and Mia sit together. The cafeteria is loud. It has long tables and big windows.

“Do you like pizza?” Leo asks.

“Yes, I do,” Mia says. “Pizza is my favorite food.”

“Me too!” Sam says. “We have pizza every Friday here.”

After lunch, they have art class. The art room is colorful. It has paint, brushes, and paper everywhere. Mia is happy. Her new school is not scary. It is fun.

At the end of the day, Anna says, “See you tomorrow, Mia!”

“See you tomorrow!” Mia says.

Mia has new friends now. She has a new school. And she is not nervous anymore. She is happy.


2. Vocabulary Section

Word / PhraseMeaningExample
nervousfeeling a little worried about something newMia is nervous on her first day.
excitedfeeling very happy about something that is going to happenShe is excited to meet new people.
friendlykind and nice to other peopleMr. Chen is friendly, and he has a big smile.
classroomthe room where students studyThe classroom has twenty desks.
backpacka bag that you carry on your backAnna has a big backpack.
cafeteriathe room at school where students eat lunchThe cafeteria is loud and has long tables.
favoritethe one that you like the mostPizza is Mia’s favorite food.

3. Example Sentences (Target Grammar in Use)

  • Mia is fourteen years old.
  • She is a little nervous, but she is also excited.
  • Anna has long black hair and a big backpack.
  • Mr. Chen is friendly, and he has a big smile.
  • “I am Mia,” she says.
  • Mia has new friends now.

children raising their hands
Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

4. Grammar Section

Simple Present: To Be and Have/Has

“To be” and “have/has” are two of the most common verbs in English. Students use them to describe people, feelings, and things they own. The form of each verb changes depending on the subject.

SubjectTo BeHave / Has
Iamhave
Youarehave
He / She / Itishas
Wearehave
Theyarehave

Quick Tip: “He,” “she,” and “it” are the only subjects that use “is” and “has.” Every other subject uses “am/are” and “have.” Learn this one rule, and both verbs become easy.


5. Comprehension Questions

A. True or False

  1. Mia is nervous on her first day.
  2. Mia’s new school is small.
  3. Anna has long black hair.
  4. The students have pizza every Monday.

B. Short Answer

  1. What is Mia’s teacher’s name?
  2. Who are Anna’s friends?
  3. What is Mia’s favorite food?
  4. How does Mia feel at the end of the day?

C. Fill in the Blank

  1. Mia ___ fourteen years old.
  2. Sam ___ glasses.
  3. Anna and her friends ___ kind.
  4. Mia and Anna ___ many pens and pencils.

Answer Key

Click here to check your answers

A. True or False

  1. True
  2. False (Mia’s new school is big.)
  3. True
  4. False (They have pizza every Friday.)

B. Short Answer

  1. His name is Mr. Chen.
  2. Her friends are Leo and Sam.
  3. Her favorite food is pizza.
  4. She feels happy, and not nervous anymore.

C. Fill in the Blank

  1. is
  2. has
  3. are
  4. have

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