Reading short original stories and non-fiction passages, then finding the main idea, details and order of events, making inferences and working out word meanings from context.
Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 3.RL.1; 3.RI.2 · understanding stories and finding the main idea of true texts
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
Read the whole passage once, then go back to find answers.
The main idea is what most of the passage is about, not one small detail.
For a new word, read the words around it. They often explain it.
Example: A passage tells how Amir feeds the class pet, cleans its cage and gives it water. What is the main idea? Each sentence tells one way Amir looks after the pet. Together they tell one big idea. Answer: Amir takes good care of the class pet.
Read and Think in Arizona
In the Arizona Academic Standards, this is unit 1 of 13 in 3rd grade English Language Arts, before Story Elements.
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.
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
When does sap flow best?
From Tree to Syrup
Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees. Sap is a clear, watery liquid that moves through a tree.
In early spring, the nights are still freezing, but the days are warmer. This is when sap flows best. People drill a small hole in the tree's trunk and put in a spout called a tap. The sap drips out into a bucket or flows through a tube.
Fresh sap is only a little bit sweet. It must be boiled for a long time so that most of the water goes away. It takes about 40 liters of sap to make just 1 liter of maple syrup!
In late fall
In the middle of summer
In early spring
In early spring
Hint: Read the start of the second paragraph.
Question 2
Put these in order, from first to last.
From Tree to Syrup
Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees. Sap is a clear, watery liquid that moves through a tree.
In early spring, the nights are still freezing, but the days are warmer. This is when sap flows best. People drill a small hole in the tree's trunk and put in a spout called a tap. The sap drips out into a bucket or flows through a tube.
Fresh sap is only a little bit sweet. It must be boiled for a long time so that most of the water goes away. It takes about 40 liters of sap to make just 1 liter of maple syrup!
Boil the sap for a long time.
Put in a tap.
Drill a small hole in the tree.
Collect the sap.
Drill a small hole in the tree. → Put in a tap. → Collect the sap. → Boil the sap for a long time.
Hint: Look back at the passage. Find each part, then see which one comes first.
Question 3
Why is the sap boiled for a long time?
From Tree to Syrup
Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees. Sap is a clear, watery liquid that moves through a tree.
In early spring, the nights are still freezing, but the days are warmer. This is when sap flows best. People drill a small hole in the tree's trunk and put in a spout called a tap. The sap drips out into a bucket or flows through a tube.
Fresh sap is only a little bit sweet. It must be boiled for a long time so that most of the water goes away. It takes about 40 liters of sap to make just 1 liter of maple syrup!
So most of the water goes away
So the sap turns clear
So the tree grows faster
So most of the water goes away
Hint: Read the last paragraph. It tells why the sap is boiled.
Question 4
Which word from the passage means a clear, watery liquid inside a tree?
From Tree to Syrup
Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees. Sap is a clear, watery liquid that moves through a tree.
In early spring, the nights are still freezing, but the days are warmer. This is when sap flows best. People drill a small hole in the tree's trunk and put in a spout called a tap. The sap drips out into a bucket or flows through a tube.
Fresh sap is only a little bit sweet. It must be boiled for a long time so that most of the water goes away. It takes about 40 liters of sap to make just 1 liter of maple syrup!
spout
syrup
sap
sap
Hint: The first paragraph tells what this word means.
Question 5
What did Zoe and Grandpa do after lunch?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Built a blanket fort and read stories
Walked to the park
Baked cookies
Built a blanket fort and read stories
Hint: Find the words “After lunch” in the last paragraph.
Question 6
How did Zoe feel when she first saw the rain?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Proud
Excited
Disappointed
Disappointed
Hint: Zoe sighed and said the picnic was ruined. What feeling do those clues show?