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.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 3.6(F); 3.6(G) · understanding stories and finding the key ideas 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 Texas
In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 1 of 15 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
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 lost one of his rocks.
He ate too much breakfast.
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 2
How can you tell the class liked Ravi's talk?
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's voice wobbled.
The bell rang.
Many classmates had questions.
Many classmates had questions.
Hint: When people enjoy a talk, they often want to know more. What did the class do?
Question 3
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 4
In this story, what does “wobbled” mean?
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.
Got very loud
Stopped completely
Shook a little
Shook a little
Hint: Ravi was nervous. How might a nervous voice sound at first?
Question 5
In this passage, what is a tap?
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!
A spout put into a tree
A sweet liquid
A kind of bucket
A spout put into a tree
Hint: Find the word “tap.” The words right before it explain what it is.
Question 6
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 tree grows faster
So the sap turns clear
So most of the water goes away
Hint: Read the last paragraph. It tells why the sap is boiled.