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3rd grade · English Language Arts · Unit 12 of 13

Wonder & Find Out

What you know, good questions, choosing facts and stories that include everyone.

What your child practices

Practices using what you already know, asking focused questions, choosing information from sources, deciding what to include, and noticing diversity and inclusion in stories.

Alaska content standards learning standard: W.3.7; W.3.8 · asking research questions and choosing sources

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Start with what you already know, then ask a clear, focused question.
  2. Look in books, websites written by experts, and people who know.
  3. Pick only facts that answer your question, and share what you found.

Example: You want to learn how fast snow melts. Which question fits: “Is snow nice?” or “Does snow melt faster in sun or shade?” A good question can be tested or looked up. The second question can be checked. Answer: Does snow melt faster in sun or shade?

Wonder & Find Out in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 12 of 13 in 3rd grade English Language Arts, after Reading Patterns and before Media Messages.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    A group investigates how fast snow melts. Which question fits?

    • What time is lunch?
    • Does snow melt faster in sun or shade?
    • How tall is the school?

  2. Question 2

    Which is a digital source of information?

    • A shopping bag
    • A website for kids written by scientists
    • A cloud in the sky

  3. Question 3

    Which is a focused question about plants?

    • Plants?
    • What do seeds need to sprout?
    • Is it Tuesday?

  4. Question 4

    Which source can be audio?

    • A podcast
    • A pencil case
    • A poster

  5. Question 5

    A book shows a child using a wheelchair joining a game. The book shows…

    • a bad ending
    • inclusion
    • a recipe

  6. Question 6

    Why is it good to use more than one source?

    • It makes the work longer for no reason
    • It is faster to lose them
    • You can check facts and learn more

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