Description
About the Resource
Sweet Lotus: A Family Recipe for Dreams is a unique and heartwarming reading comprehension pack designed for upper elementary classrooms. Set in a small, family-run cupcake shop in California, this 15-episode realistic fiction series follows a multicultural cast of characters who grow together as a team—and as a family.
Bua (a Thai-American woman), her husband Mateo (Mexican-American), and their hardworking employee Vinh (Vietnamese-American) navigate challenges in business, identity, and relationships, all while serving up sweet treats and stronger community ties.
Each episode invites students to reflect on themes such as tradition, teamwork, empathy, and personal growth. Through engaging stories, diverse characters, and rich discussion opportunities, this resource helps teachers build a culturally inclusive ELA classroom.
What Makes It Special
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✅ 15 original fiction passages that students love
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✅ Aligned with Common Core State Standards (RL & W for Grades 5–6)
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✅ Promotes cultural awareness and empathy through character-driven stories
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✅ Social–Emotional Learning (SEL) integrated naturally into the narrative
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✅ Creative extension tasks: writing, vocabulary, and discussion
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✅ Full-color illustrations (3:5 ratio) for every episode
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✅ Bonus materials for tracking vocabulary, journaling, and celebrating completion
What’s Included
Each episode includes:
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A 250–300 word fiction passage
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3 multiple choice questions focused on skills like theme, inference, point of view, and cause & effect
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2 written response questions for deeper thinking and text evidence
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Answer key with explanations
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Creative Extension: Writing prompt, vocabulary activity, and class discussion question
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A warm, full-color illustration for visual context and engagement
Also included:
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Scope & Sequence (skills by episode)
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Character profile pages
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Student reading journal template
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Vocabulary tracker
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Certificate of Completion
Why Teachers Love It
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Easy to implement—print and go!
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Ideal for reading comprehension practice, small groups, homework, or centers
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Supports ELA + SEL + multicultural education
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Engaging for reluctant readers thanks to relatable characters and visual storytelling
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Encourages meaningful classroom conversations and reflection
Perfect For
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Grades 5–6 ELA classrooms
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Teachers looking to integrate cultural inclusion and empathy
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Substitute plans, literacy blocks, or early finisher work
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Standards-aligned resources that go beyond worksheets
Bring your students into the heart of a bakery where every cupcake has a story—and every story builds understanding.
Sweet Lotus isn’t just a reading pack. It’s a classroom experience filled with culture, compassion, and connection.
✅ Available as a digital download (PDF)
🖨️ Printer-friendly and classroom-tested
📚 Created by educators, for educators
