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3rd Grade Common Core Reading Lesson Plans

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It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
Lesson Plan
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits large image
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
Third Grade
Reading
In this lesson, students will use their creativity, a graphic organizer, and a fun story to learn about character analysis.
Lesson Plan
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
Lesson Plan
It’s All in the Personality: Character Traits
In this lesson, students will use their creativity, a graphic organizer, and a fun story to learn about character analysis.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Close Reading: Introduction
Close Reading: Introduction
Lesson Plan
Close Reading: Introduction large image
Close Reading: Introduction
Third Grade
Reading
Help your students absorb the details of a text and make inferences about what they read with the strategy of close reading. By reading closely, students will become better able to understand complex themes and nuances in a text.
Lesson Plan
Close Reading: Introduction
Close Reading: Introduction
Lesson Plan
Close Reading: Introduction
Help your students absorb the details of a text and make inferences about what they read with the strategy of close reading. By reading closely, students will become better able to understand complex themes and nuances in a text.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Lesson Plan
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping large image
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Second Grade
Reading
Students will learn how to identify story elements and create a short and sweet summary. They will fill out a graphic organizer and solidify their understanding by creating illustrations to show major plot points that they find themselves!
Lesson Plan
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Lesson Plan
Traditional Literature: Story Mapping
Students will learn how to identify story elements and create a short and sweet summary. They will fill out a graphic organizer and solidify their understanding by creating illustrations to show major plot points that they find themselves!
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Lesson Plan
Who Is Mae Jemison? large image
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Second Grade
Reading
Mae Jemison was the first African American female astronaut to enter space! Use the Who Is Mae Jemison? lesson plan to get to know this prominent scientist and entrepreneur. Students will read about Mae and then answer questions about her.
Lesson Plan
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Lesson Plan
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Mae Jemison was the first African American female astronaut to enter space! Use the Who Is Mae Jemison? lesson plan to get to know this prominent scientist and entrepreneur. Students will read about Mae and then answer questions about her.
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Interesting Introductions
Interesting Introductions
Lesson Plan
Interesting Introductions large image
Interesting Introductions
Third Grade
Reading
Teach young authors how to "hook" readers with this hands-on lesson. By examining novels and developing their own introductions, students will be able to hone their writing skills.
Lesson Plan
Interesting Introductions
Interesting Introductions
Lesson Plan
Interesting Introductions
Teach young authors how to "hook" readers with this hands-on lesson. By examining novels and developing their own introductions, students will be able to hone their writing skills.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Finding Similarities and Differences
Finding Similarities and Differences
Lesson Plan
Finding Similarities and Differences large image
Finding Similarities and Differences
Third Grade
Reading
Good readers analyze texts by looking at similarities and differences. Use this lesson to teach your students to compare and contrast the story elements of two fiction texts.
Lesson Plan
Finding Similarities and Differences
Finding Similarities and Differences
Lesson Plan
Finding Similarities and Differences
Good readers analyze texts by looking at similarities and differences. Use this lesson to teach your students to compare and contrast the story elements of two fiction texts.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
Lesson Plan
Bun Bun Button Character Traits large image
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
Third Grade
Reading
In this lesson, you will read the heartwarming story of Bun Bun Button by Patricia Polacco to your class. Students will then use their own reading skills to describe the two main characters in the story.
Lesson Plan
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
Lesson Plan
Bun Bun Button Character Traits
In this lesson, you will read the heartwarming story of Bun Bun Button by Patricia Polacco to your class. Students will then use their own reading skills to describe the two main characters in the story.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Lesson Plan
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater large image
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Third Grade
Reading
Students will have a blast turning a reading passage into a Reader's Theater skit. This lesson teaches them to use dialogue to help readers understand the experiences of different characters.
Lesson Plan
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Lesson Plan
Action! Students Create Reader's Theater
Students will have a blast turning a reading passage into a Reader's Theater skit. This lesson teaches them to use dialogue to help readers understand the experiences of different characters.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Choosing Character Traits
Choosing Character Traits
Lesson Plan
Choosing Character Traits large image
Choosing Character Traits
Third Grade
Reading
Use this lesson to help your ELs learn character traits and find them in a text. It can be a stand-alone lesson or a support lesson to the Identifying Character Traits lesson.
Lesson Plan
Choosing Character Traits
Choosing Character Traits
Lesson Plan
Choosing Character Traits
Use this lesson to help your ELs learn character traits and find them in a text. It can be a stand-alone lesson or a support lesson to the Identifying Character Traits lesson.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Differences
Focus on the Differences
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Differences large image
Focus on the Differences
Third Grade
Reading
Use this lesson with your students to teach them to describe the differences between stories with contrasting conjunctions. This lesson can stand-alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the Finding Similarities and Differences lesson.
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Differences
Focus on the Differences
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Differences
Use this lesson with your students to teach them to describe the differences between stories with contrasting conjunctions. This lesson can stand-alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the Finding Similarities and Differences lesson.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Creatures
Pumpkin Creatures
Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Creatures large image
Pumpkin Creatures
Third Grade
Reading
This lesson plan integrates art and reading to create a character by personifying a pumpkin. Your students will enjoy writing a story about a character that they have created!
Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Creatures
Pumpkin Creatures
Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Creatures
This lesson plan integrates art and reading to create a character by personifying a pumpkin. Your students will enjoy writing a story about a character that they have created!
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Lesson Plan
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense large image
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Third Grade
Reading
Improve your students' comprehension of non-fictional reading through this lesson that teaches them about text features. Students will find their own text features and explain why they aid in the reading process.
Lesson Plan
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Lesson Plan
Text Features: Reading that Makes Sense
Improve your students' comprehension of non-fictional reading through this lesson that teaches them about text features. Students will find their own text features and explain why they aid in the reading process.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Lesson Plan
Comparing Texts by the Same Author large image
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Third Grade
Reading
Getting hooked on a series or type of character creates reader engagement! Use this lesson to challenge your students to compare and contrast fictional texts as they find the joy in reading books by the same author.
Lesson Plan
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Lesson Plan
Comparing Texts by the Same Author
Getting hooked on a series or type of character creates reader engagement! Use this lesson to challenge your students to compare and contrast fictional texts as they find the joy in reading books by the same author.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Lesson Plan
Reader's Theater: Read the Script large image
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Third Grade
Reading
Did you know that Reader's Theater promotes fluency and builds students' reading confidence? Use this lesson to inspire your students to practice reading and understanding text in the drama genre.
Lesson Plan
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Lesson Plan
Reader's Theater: Read the Script
Did you know that Reader's Theater promotes fluency and builds students' reading confidence? Use this lesson to inspire your students to practice reading and understanding text in the drama genre.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Lesson Plan
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action large image
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Third Grade
Reading
Make it move! In this lesson, students will learn about energy and make connections between force and energy. Through a hands-on approach, students will work in teams to construct and report on their experiments.
Lesson Plan
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Lesson Plan
Make it Move: Force and Energy in Action
Make it move! In this lesson, students will learn about energy and make connections between force and energy. Through a hands-on approach, students will work in teams to construct and report on their experiments.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Let's Hook 'Em!
Let's Hook 'Em!
Lesson Plan
Let's Hook 'Em! large image
Let's Hook 'Em!
Second Grade
Reading
Are your students hooking their readers? Use this creative and imaginative writing exercise that will bring student beginnings to life.
Lesson Plan
Let's Hook 'Em!
Let's Hook 'Em!
Lesson Plan
Let's Hook 'Em!
Are your students hooking their readers? Use this creative and imaginative writing exercise that will bring student beginnings to life.
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Lesson Plan
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment large image
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Third Grade
Reading
Use this lesson to teach your students about the lives of 10 important leaders during the suffrage movement. Children will read a picture book that highlights 10 leaders who strove to win the right to vote for American women. Children will then work in groups to research and learn more about these inspiring women who dreamed big and never gave up. Finally, students will share their findings with the rest of the class.
Lesson Plan
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Lesson Plan
Leaders in the Journey to the 19th Amendment
Use this lesson to teach your students about the lives of 10 important leaders during the suffrage movement. Children will read a picture book that highlights 10 leaders who strove to win the right to vote for American women. Children will then work in groups to research and learn more about these inspiring women who dreamed big and never gave up. Finally, students will share their findings with the rest of the class.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Simple Summaries
Simple Summaries
Lesson Plan
Simple Summaries large image
Simple Summaries
Third Grade
Reading
Keep it simple! Teach your students to write a summary using the Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then frame for analyzing a story.
Lesson Plan
Simple Summaries
Simple Summaries
Lesson Plan
Simple Summaries
Keep it simple! Teach your students to write a summary using the Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then frame for analyzing a story.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Lesson Plan
Story Structure Rollercoaster large image
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Third Grade
Reading
Reading can be a rollercoaster with its ups and downs! Use this lesson that features a rollercoaster-themed story map to teach your students about story structure and how to use a graphic organizer to visualize it.
Lesson Plan
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Lesson Plan
Story Structure Rollercoaster
Reading can be a rollercoaster with its ups and downs! Use this lesson that features a rollercoaster-themed story map to teach your students about story structure and how to use a graphic organizer to visualize it.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Lesson Plan
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson large image
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Third Grade
Reading
Students will use their understanding of plot, theme, and comparing and contrasting in this lesson that teaches about an award-winning African American author, Jacqueline Woodson. Students will read some of her fiction books and compare and contrast the stories. They'll also discuss what they think makes Jacqueline Woodson an award-winning author.
Lesson Plan
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Lesson Plan
Author Study: Jacqueline Woodson
Students will use their understanding of plot, theme, and comparing and contrasting in this lesson that teaches about an award-winning African American author, Jacqueline Woodson. Students will read some of her fiction books and compare and contrast the stories. They'll also discuss what they think makes Jacqueline Woodson an award-winning author.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Frederick Douglass's Words
Frederick Douglass's Words
Lesson Plan
Frederick Douglass's Words large image
Frederick Douglass's Words
Second Grade
Reading
Use this lesson to teach your students about Frederick Douglass and the impact that words had on his life. First, they will read a picture book that shares facts and beautiful illustrations to teach about his life. Then, they'll complete a graphic organizer with peers to record important details and events in his life. Students will then demonstrate understanding by creating a poster with images and key words that stand out when they think about Frederick Douglass.
Lesson Plan
Frederick Douglass's Words
Frederick Douglass's Words
Lesson Plan
Frederick Douglass's Words
Use this lesson to teach your students about Frederick Douglass and the impact that words had on his life. First, they will read a picture book that shares facts and beautiful illustrations to teach about his life. Then, they'll complete a graphic organizer with peers to record important details and events in his life. Students will then demonstrate understanding by creating a poster with images and key words that stand out when they think about Frederick Douglass.
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
The Same or Different? You Decide!
The Same or Different? You Decide!
Lesson Plan
The Same or Different? You Decide! large image
The Same or Different? You Decide!
Third Grade
Reading
Are the stories the same or different? You decide! Use this lesson with your students to practice comparing the story elements in two fictional stories written by the same author.
Lesson Plan
The Same or Different? You Decide!
The Same or Different? You Decide!
Lesson Plan
The Same or Different? You Decide!
Are the stories the same or different? You decide! Use this lesson with your students to practice comparing the story elements in two fictional stories written by the same author.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
Lesson Plan
All About the Pledge of Allegiance large image
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
Second Grade
Reading
In this lesson, your students will practice their reading comprehension and vocabulary with the Pledge of Allegiance. They will reflect on the meaning of the pledge.
Lesson Plan
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
Lesson Plan
All About the Pledge of Allegiance
In this lesson, your students will practice their reading comprehension and vocabulary with the Pledge of Allegiance. They will reflect on the meaning of the pledge.
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Similarities
Focus on the Similarities
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Similarities large image
Focus on the Similarities
Third Grade
Reading
Use this lesson to teach your students to describe the similarities between stories with words that signal comparison. This lesson can stand-alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the The Same or Different? You Decide! lesson.
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Similarities
Focus on the Similarities
Lesson Plan
Focus on the Similarities
Use this lesson to teach your students to describe the similarities between stories with words that signal comparison. This lesson can stand-alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the The Same or Different? You Decide! lesson.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Lesson Plan
Pick Out the Parts of a Story large image
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Third Grade
Reading
Use this lesson to teach your students to identify story elements and compare them to another text's story elements. This lesson can stand alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the Comparing Texts by the Same Author lesson.
Lesson Plan
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Lesson Plan
Pick Out the Parts of a Story
Use this lesson to teach your students to identify story elements and compare them to another text's story elements. This lesson can stand alone or be used as a pre-lesson for the Comparing Texts by the Same Author lesson.
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Lesson Plan
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences large image
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Third Grade
Reading
Let your students find out that the sentences they speak so easily are formed of many different parts. Have them break down sentences to learn the various parts that form a sentence!
Lesson Plan
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Lesson Plan
Parts of Speech: Breaking Down Sentences
Let your students find out that the sentences they speak so easily are formed of many different parts. Have them break down sentences to learn the various parts that form a sentence!
Third Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
Tree of Cranes
Tree of Cranes
Lesson Plan
Tree of Cranes large image
Tree of Cranes
Second Grade
Reading
This winter-themed lesson plan, which incorporates the book Tree of Cranes by Allen Say, teaches students about Japanese traditions and customs. They will review the basic elements of a narrative story, and then write their own narratives about a special event or moment in their life.
Lesson Plan
Tree of Cranes
Tree of Cranes
Lesson Plan
Tree of Cranes
This winter-themed lesson plan, which incorporates the book Tree of Cranes by Allen Say, teaches students about Japanese traditions and customs. They will review the basic elements of a narrative story, and then write their own narratives about a special event or moment in their life.
Second Grade
Reading
Lesson Plan
1

About 3rd grade common core reading lesson plans

On Education.com, 3rd Grade Common Core Reading Lesson Plans help educators and parents explore activities that build literacy skills. These lessons include excerpt analysis, guided reading sessions, and exercises to improve comprehension and critical thinking. By providing structured yet engaging content, the lesson plans support learning standards while making reading enjoyable for students.

This page offers worksheets, printable activities, and teaching materials designed to help 3rd graders understand story elements, improve fluency, and analyze texts. Materials also emphasize notation of text features and prompts to strengthen comprehension across a range of genres. Educators and parents can use these resources to practice asking questions, make predictions, and deepen understanding through close reading exercises.

Using these lesson plans saves time while providing structured resources that enhance 3rd grade reading mastery. Reinforcing skills such as character analysis, sequencing, and text evidence grows confidence and encourages independent thinking. Classroom or at-home instruction becomes more organized, engaging, and aligned with Common Core standards.