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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.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 3.2.7.2; 3.1.9.2 · planning research 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 Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic 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: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

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

    Which is a focused question about plants?

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

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

    Which book shows diversity?

    • A phone book
    • A book of blank pages
    • A story with characters from many cultures

  4. Question 4

    You notice leaves turn color in autumn. A good question is…

    • Who cares?
    • Why do leaves change color?
    • Is my shoe blue?

  5. Question 5

    A model text helps you see…

    • how to hide a book
    • how a text is put together
    • which desk is yours

  6. Question 6

    Telling a friend what a story says about being fair is…

    • copying
    • spelling
    • sharing how an idea is presented

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