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.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 3R1; 3R2 · understanding stories and finding the main idea of informational 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 New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 1 of 21 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
Put these in order, from first to last.
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
Ravi practiced for his little sister.
Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Ravi practiced for his mom.
Ravi practiced for the cat.
Ravi practiced for his mom. → Ravi practiced for his little sister. → Ravi practiced for the cat. → Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Hint: Look back at the passage. Find each part, then see which one comes first.
Question 2
Who did Ravi practice for last?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
His little sister
The cat
His mom
The cat
Hint: Look for the words “Last of all” in the second paragraph.
Question 3
Why did Ravi's stomach feel fluttery?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
He was nervous about talking to the class.
He ate too much breakfast.
He lost one of his rocks.
He was nervous about talking to the class.
Hint: His stomach felt fluttery when he thought about talking in front of the class. What feeling is that?
Question 4
What did Ravi share at show and tell?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
A book about rocks
His pet cat
His rock collection
His rock collection
Hint: Read the first sentence of the story.
Question 5
Put these in order, from first to last.
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.
Zoe and Grandpa built a blanket fort.
Zoe and Grandpa ate their picnic.
Grandpa spread a blanket on the floor.
Zoe saw rain on her window.
Zoe saw rain on her window. → Grandpa spread a blanket on the floor. → Zoe and Grandpa ate their picnic. → Zoe and Grandpa built a blanket fort.
Hint: Look back at the passage. Find each part, then see which one comes first.
Question 6
What lesson does this story show?
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.
A change of plans can still be fun.
Picnics are only fun at the park.
Always stay inside on Saturdays.
A change of plans can still be fun.
Hint: Zoe thought the day was ruined, but how did she feel at the end?