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3rd Grade

Reading Comprehension

Passages and Questions

Materials Developed by Nancy Bruen for A+ Literature Guides.

© 2018 A+ Literature Guides. All rights reserved.

A classroom teacher who has purchased this product may photocopy the materials in this publication for his/her classroom use only. Use or reproduction by a part or an entire school or school system, by for-profit tutoring centers and like institutions, or for commercial sale, is strictly prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, translated or stored without the express written permission of the publisher. Uploading to the Internet, full or part, is strictly prohibited. Created and printed in the United States of America.

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3rd Grade Reading Comprehension

Table of Contents

Google Drive Paperless Activities and Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Passage 1 – Summer – Narrative Poem - Questions, and Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Passage 2 – The New Student – Narrative Passage, Questions, and Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Passage 3 – The History of “Silly String” – Informational Passage, Questions and Key. . . . . . 19

Reading Questions Poster Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Credits and A+ Literature Guides Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Terms of Use

Digital Interactive Notebooks:

Test Prep

The purchase of this Google Docs project by A+ Literature Guides

includes a limited license for your classroom use. You may utilize this

resource for each of your students.

This product may not be copied and distributed outside of the scope of

your classroom.

The product may not be uploaded to the internet or stored in a public

retrieval system outside the scope of the product itself.

The Google Docs may not be used to create something new, and or

distributed in any way without the written consent of the author,

Nancy Bruen.

If you have any questions pertaining to the limited license for this

product, please contact me at mrsbruen@yahoo.com

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Directions for Paperless Google Docs

What you need to get started:

1. Download link for Passage 1 and Questions (Google Docs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fnbvj_YPDx2_DOeJ5I2-QcSHBautw_ACoOIcyWvA5Kw/copy

(Answer Key Page 10)

2. Download link for Passage 2 and Questions (Google Docs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17S1Ncl3k_w2Jq1L6v6Cou3PerlEf6l7sudwu9Eag1aU/copy

(Answer Key Page 17)

3. Download link for Passage 3 and Questions (Google Docs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HZ29_wSSoTA4fsjJLv_yq7AZuUUiReDXRo0py4Oo6_Q/copy

(Answer Key Page 24)

4. Have access to the Internet and a Google Account. (FREE)

5. Open the file on your own Google Drive and engage while in the edit

mode.

6. Printer access to print out the finished product. (OPTIONAL)

Begin your Google Slides Project:

If you haven’t created a free Google account, you will need to do that

before beginning the project. Each student will need their own account

if they will be working on their own project using Google Docs.

Go to the links above. When you click these links, you’ll go to a screen

that says "Copy document." Click the blue button that says "Make a

copy" to transfer this file to your own Google Drive account. If you have

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Google Drive accounts with multiple email addresses, make sure you log

out of all the accounts EXCEPT the one you will be using for the project.

When creating an assignment in Google Classroom, select the option

that requires your students to make a copy on their own drive. This

ensures your students do not edit your original file.

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Read the poem and answer the questions that follow.

Summer by Nancy Bruen

Summer is free,

Summer is fun.

Watch out summer,

Here I come.

I’ll go to beach,

I’ll go to the park.

I’ll play outside,

Until it is dark.

Goodbye to school,

Goodbye to shoes.

During the summer,

I’ll do as I choose.

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1. Highlight the words in the poem that rhyme.

Highlight each pair with a different color. Write the rhyming pairs

here:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does the speaker in the poem feel about summer? After answering the

question, write down the words from the poem that prove your point of view.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. During the summer,

I’ll do as I choose.

What does it mean to “do as I choose?”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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4. What does the speaker like to do? Put a checkmark BEFORE the TWO things the speaker likes to do. __________ Play inside. __________ Go to school. __________ Go to the beach. __________ Play outside. __________ Wear shoes.

5. What activities does the speaker have planned for the summer? What

activities do you have planned for the summer?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

6. I’ll play outside,

Until it is dark.

What do these lines tell us about the speaker?

A. She is afraid of the dark.

B. She will stay outside as long as she can.

C. She hates the dark.

D. She can’t wait to play inside.

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7. What is the central message of the poem? Write it down.

Highlight one or two lines in the poem that prove this message.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Answer Key – Summer

1. Highlight the words in the poem that rhyme.

Highlight each pair with a different color. Write the rhyming pairs

here:

Fun-Come (half-rhymes), Park-Dark (full-rhymes), Choose-Shoes (full-rhymes)

RL.3.4

2. How does the speaker in the poem feel about summer? After answering the

question, write down the words from the poem that prove your point of view.

She loves summer. “Watch out summer, here I come.”

RL.3.3

3. During the summer,

I’ll do as I choose.

What does it mean to “do as I choose?”

To do as I choose means to do what I want to do.

RL.3.4

4. What does the speaker like to do? Put a checkmark BEFORE the TWO things the speaker likes to do. RL.3.3 __________ Play inside. __________ Go to school. _____X_____ Go to the beach. _____X_____ Play outside. __________ Wear shoes.

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5. What activities does the speaker have planned for the summer? What

activities do you have planned for the summer?

The speaker is going to play on the beach and at the park. She is also going to

play outside until it is dark. Answers will vary for student activities.

RL.3.1

6. I’ll play outside,

Until it is dark.

What do these lines tell us about the speaker?

A. She is afraid of the dark.

B. She will stay outside as long as she can. RL.3.6

C. She hates the dark.

D. She can’t wait to play inside.

7. What is the central message of the poem? Write it down.

Highlight one or two lines in the poem that prove this message.

The central message of the poem is that summer is fun and makes you feel free.

The highlighted lines include: “Summer is free, Summer is fun”

RL.3.2

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Read the story and answer the questions that follow.

The New Student by Nancy Bruen

(1) Andy woke up and refused to get out of bed. He didn’t want to go to

school. He told his mother that he didn’t have any friends. He said they made fun

of him. They laughed at his dinosaur lunch box. Andy loves dinosaurs. His

classmates think playing with dinosaurs is babyish.

(2) “Why can’t I meet one person who likes dinosaurs? It’s not fair. ”

(3) “You’ll make friends,” said his mother. “Things will get better. It will just

take time.”

(4) “No, it won’t. They don’t like me, and they never will,” said Andy.

(5) “Well, I’m sorry about that, but you still have to go to school,” said

mother.

(6) When Andy walked into his classroom, he looked around and noticed

that everyone was excited. He was curious. He wanted to know why everyone

was talking at once. His teacher, Miss Penny, warned the class to be quiet. Then,

she introduced the new student. That’s why everyone was excited! It’s not every

day that his class gets a new student.

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(7) “Hi. I’m Nick,” said the new student. Everyone started cracking up.

Nick was from another state, and he talked funny. The way he spoke was

different than the way they spoke. Miss Penny warned the class to watch their

manners. Andy didn’t think it was funny. He knows what it feels like to be

laughed at. Nick sat down with tears in his eyes.

(8) During lunch, Nick was sitting at a table all by himself. He was afraid to

talk to anyone. He didn’t want them to laugh at him again. Andy came over and

introduced himself. He said he liked the way Nick talked.

(9) Nick smiled and took out his lunch box. Andy put his lunchbox on the

table at the same time. They both looked at the lunch boxes, and then looked at

each other. They had matching dinosaur lunch boxes!

(10) “You like dinosaurs?” asked Andy.

(11) “Of course,” answered Nick. “Who doesn’t?”

(12) “Mother was right,” Andy thought to himself. “Things are getting

better already!”

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1. What problem does Andy have?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why was the class excited?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Part A - How did Nick feel when the class laughed at him? A. sad B. angry C. happy D. excited

4. Part B – Which sentence shows the feeling from Part A? Put a check mark in FRONT of the sentence that shows the feeling.

__________The way he spoke was different than the way they spoke.

__________Miss Penny warned the class to watch their manners.

___________ Andy didn’t think it was funny. __________He knows what it feels

like to be laughed at. __________Nick sat down with tears in his eyes.

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5. What does the word “noticed” mean from Paragraph 6?

Highlight the words from Paragraph 6 that help you determine what “noticed” means.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

6. Part A – The word “curious” is used in Paragraph 6. When you are “curious” you - A. are learning something. B. want to know something. C. are leaving someplace. D. want to eat something.

7. Part B – Which words help you define the word “curious” from Part A? Put a check mark in FRONT of the words that help you. He was curious. He __________wanted to know why everyone _________was talking at once. His teacher, _________Miss Penny, warned the class _________to be quiet.

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8. Number the events in the story from 1 – 5.

__________ The class laughed at Nick. __________ Mother said things would get better. __________ Andy refused to get out of bed. __________ Nick and Andy talked about dinosaurs. __________ Miss Penny introduced Nick.

9. How did the story end? Summarize the ending.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

10. What is the central idea of the story?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Answer Key – The New Student

1. What problem does Andy have?

He doesn’t have any friends. RL.3.5

2. Why was the class excited? They got a new student. RL.3.1

3. Part A - How did Nick feel when the class laughed at him? A. sad RL.3.3 B. angry C. happy D. excited

4. Part B – Which sentence shows the feeling from Part A? Put a check mark in FRONT of the sentence that shows the feeling. RL.3.1

__________The way he spoke was different than the way they spoke.

__________Miss Penny warned the class to watch their manners.

___________ Andy didn’t think it was funny. __________He knows what it feels

like to be laughed at. _____X_____Nick sat down with tears in his eyes.

5. What does the word “noticed” mean from Paragraph 6? The word “noticed” means to look or become aware of something. Highlighted words should include “he looked around”. RL.3.4

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6. Part A – The word “curious” is used in Paragraph 6. When you are “curious” you - A. are learning something. B. want to know something. RL.3.4 C. are leaving someplace. D. want to eat something.

7. Part B – Which words help you define the word “curious” from Part A? Put a check mark in FRONT of the words that help you. RL.3.1 He was curious. He _____X_____wanted to know why everyone _________was talking at once. His teacher, _________Miss Penny, warned the class _________to be quiet.

8. Number the events in the story from 1 – 5. RL.3.5

_____4_____ The class laughed at Nick. _____2_____ Mother said things would get better. _____1_____ Andy refused to get out of bed. _____5_____ Nick and Andy talked about dinosaurs. _____3_____ Miss Penny introduced Nick.

9. How did the story end? Summarize the ending. Andy realized he had a lot in common with Nick, and that his mother was right. RL.3.2

10. What is the central idea of the story?

Never give up. Happiness will come to those who wait. RL.3.2

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

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The History of Silly String

(1) Silly String is a kid’s toy in a can. If you shake the can, it seems like

water. But when you spray it, colorful plastic string comes out. People like to use

it at birthday parties or just for fun.

(2) Silly String was made by mistake. In 1972, Leonard A. Fish and Robert P.

Cox had a project. They wanted to make a spray that would turn into an instant

cast for an arm or a leg. So, if you had a broken arm, they would only have to

spray it and a cast would appear.

(3) When Leonard and Robert were testing the product, they laughed when

it squirted across the room. Leonard then talked Robert into selling it as a toy

rather than a medical supply. Robert agreed. Then, they made it softer and

added colors.

(4) The toy company, Wham – O, agreed to meet with them. Leonard and

Robert were delighted. They jumped in the air and clapped their hands. During

the meeting, Leonard sprayed a man and his office with the Silly Spray. The man

got angry, and kicked Leonard and Robert out of his office.

(5) Two weeks later, the man called Leonard and Robert. He was no longer

angry about being sprayed. He offered them a contract to sell Silly String.

Leonard and Robert smiled. They were grateful that he changed his mind.

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(6) In 1997, a company called Little Trees started making Silly String for

Leonard and Robert. It is still very popular today.

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1. Why did Leonard and Robert make Silly String?

Highlight a sentence from the article that shows the CAUSE.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Part A – What does the word “grateful” mean in Paragraph 5?

A. angry

B. happy

C. sad

D. sorry

3. Part B – What word helps you know what “grateful” means from Part A? Put a checkmark before the word that helps you. He _________offered them a ___________contract to sell Silly String. Leonard and Robert ________smiled. They were grateful that he changed his _________mind.

4. In what year did Leonard and Robert invent Silly String?

A. 1972

B. 1980

C. 1987

D. 1997

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5. Why did the man at Wham – O get angry?

Highlight the event that got him angry.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

6. Number the events in the correct order (1 – 5).

_________Leonard and Robert wanted to sell Silly String as a toy.

_________Little Trees started selling Silly String.

_________Leonard sprayed a man with Silly String.

_________Leonard and Robert invented Silly String.

_________Wham – O started selling Silly String.

7. In which paragraph is Silly String defined?

A. Paragraph 1

B. Paragraph 2

C. Paragraph 3

D. Paragraph 4

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8. The toy company, Wham – O, agreed to meet with them.

Finish the sentence:

The word “agreed” means that Wham – O -

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

9. The word “delighted” from Paragraph 4 means -

Highlight the sentence from the article that helps you define this

word.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

10. What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Silly String makes good birthday presents.

B. Silly String is a popular toy that was made by mistake.

C. Leonard and Richard are very nice people.

D. People don’t like Silly String anymore.

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Answer Key – The History of Silly String

1. Why did Leonard and Robert make Silly String? Highlight a sentence from the

article that shows the CAUSE.

They had a project that involved making an instant cast for an arm or leg.

Highlighted sentence:

They wanted to make a spray that would turn into an instant cast for an arm or a

leg.

RI.3.1

2. Part A – What does the word “grateful” mean in Paragraph 5?

A. angry

B. happy RI.3.4

C. sad

D. sorry

3. Part B – What word helps you know what “grateful” means from Part A? Put a checkmark before the word that helps you. RI.3.5 He _________offered them a ___________contract to sell Silly String. Leonard and Robert ____X____smiled. They were grateful that he changed his _________mind.

4. In what year did Leonard and Robert invent Silly String?

A. 1972 RI.3.1

B. 1980

C. 1987

D. 1997

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5. Why did the man at Wham – O get angry?

Highlight the event that got him angry.

He got angry because of something Leonard did during the meeting. Highlighted

sentence:

During the meeting, Leonard sprayed a man and his office with the Silly Spray.

6. Number the events in the correct order (1 – 5). RI.3.5

____2_____Leonard and Robert wanted to sell Silly String as a toy.

____5_____Little Trees started selling Silly String.

____3_____Leonard sprayed a man with Silly String.

____1_____Leonard and Robert invented Silly String.

____4_____Wham – O started selling Silly String.

7. In which paragraph is Silly String defined?

A. Paragraph 1 RI.3.5

B. Paragraph 2

C. Paragraph 3

D. Paragraph 4

8. The toy company, Wham – O, agreed to meet with them.

Finish the sentence.

The word “agreed” means that Wham – O -

said “yes” to meeting with them.

RI.3.4

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9. The word “delighted” from Paragraph 4 means -

Highlight the sentence from the article that helps you define this

word.

The word “delighted” means “very happy”. The highlighted sentence:

They jumped in the air and clapped their hands.

RI.3.4

10. What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Silly String makes good birthday presents.

B. Silly String is a popular toy that was made by mistake. RI.3.2

C. Leonard and Richard are very nice people.

D. People don’t like Silly String anymore.

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• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe • The Little Prince • The Outsiders

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