Grade 3 Common Core Literacy Center Stations for Every Informational Text Standard

This 138-page document contains a Common Core Literacy Center game or activity for EVERY, YES EVERY, Grade 3 Common Core Informational Text Standard. This document contains 12 literacy centers (one for each standard + two extra games). Answer keys are included!

This document not only covers each informational text standard, the game cards included in the games also cover social studies, science, and health topics to help your students GAIN BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE while they play the games. This is helpful because as they play the games over and over, they will actually gain tons of useful content area knowledge.

Game card topics include rock layers, plants, animals, body systems, maps skills, economics, food chains, and more!

The games included in this document are:
Common Core Standard RI.3.1 Question Flash
Common Core Standard RI.3.2 Main Idea Matters
Common Core Standard RI.3.3 Relationship Puzzle Game
Common Core Standard RI.3.4 Academic Vocabulary Match 1
Common Core Standard RI.3.4 Academic Vocabulary Match 2
Common Core Standard RI.3.5 Quick Go!
Common Core Standard RI.3.6 Distinguish Your Point of View
Common Core Standard RI.3.7 Illustrations and Maps Tic-Tac-Toe
Common Core Standard RI.3.8 Describe the Connection 1
Common Core Standard RI.3.8 Describe the Connection 2
Common Core Standard RI.3.9 Compare and Contrast

Common Core Standard RI.3.10 Range of Reading Level GameClick Here to Access It

These charts list each Common Core literacy center and the standard it covers.  This is useful for keeping track of student progress as they complete each literacy center.

They can be easily be stored in folders or plastic containers.

Free Math Medical Center Math Station

Necessity is the mother of all inventions.  I really wanted perimeter cards that could teach students perimeter as well as review this concept with them.  These have been helpful because they guide students into thinking about perimeter correctly.  Students are able to work independently too.  Click Here for Perimeter Task Cards

Free templates to set up a math medical center!  Your students will LOVE math!  Templates are included in this post.

HOW TO SET UP THE STATION:  Begin by handing each student a blank math problem form. They will write down a math problem and solve it.  This is a typed example.  Instruct some students to solve their math problem incorrectly. (I will explain later).

USING THE STATION:  Hand each student an already solved math problem.  Each student will use their thermometer rubric to evaluate if the problem has been solved correctly or not.

If the problem is incorrect, a thermometer, band-aid, and prescription for how to fix it will be attached to the math problem.

This math center is great for getting students to think critically about math and is a different way to assess if they truly understand math concepts in depth.

The link to access the templates are below.  Sorry guys, the blood pressure gauge is not included.  It was created with folded paper and Velcro was added to make it look official.
Click Here For The Free Template

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Comprehension Sticks for Small Groups

Comprehension sticks are an excellent resource for literature circles and small group discussions.  An old Pringles tin or tubular mailing container can be used.  

Cover the container with printed scrapbook paper or sticky drawer liner.  Next, adhere discussion starters onto popsicle sticks.

Allow each student to randomly grab a discussion starter from the tin as they begin their group discussion.  This is a fantastic way to keep students focused during group talks.  Tailor the question starters to the topic or comprehension skill of your choice.

Create Cause and Effect Kits

Most kids have a love relationship with insects.  They love to pick them up.  They love to look at them.  Or, they love to read about them.  Maximize this by using insects to teach cause and effect.

When working with a small guided reading group, hand each student their very own cause and effect kit.  These insect containers were purchased at Dollar Tree for $1.00 each and they come equipped with tweezers.  If you are unable to find them, use plastic containers.

Print a copy of an insect onto a 2 x 2 inch square.  Laminate each square and use with a dry erase marker.  If you are teaching about cause and effect, have students write down text details that assist them in determining the causes of whatever is happening in the text.  

By the time that they finish, they will have a container of insects with text evidence on them.

Common Core ELA Rubrics

This document has definitely been a lifesaver for me.  It contains a rubric for EVERY SINGLE Common Core Literature and Informational Text standard.  Before giving the class an assignment to complete, I hand a copy of a rubric to each student and we discuss it.

It helps them stay on track and ensures that their work is always Common Core aligned.  Rubrics for each grade level!  Click the link to access them.

Click Here For Kindergarten
Click Here For Grade 1
Click Here For Grade 2
Click Here For Grade 3
Click Here For Grade 4
Click Here For Grade 5
Click Here For Grade 6
Click Here For Grade 7
Click Here For Grade 8

Teach Phonics, Advanced Word Patterns, and Fluency with Karaoke

Did you know that Beat It by Michael Jackson repeats the -ea, -igh, and -an sounds?  The classic song, Stand by Me by Ben E. King repeats consonant blends.  Karaoke is an extremely effective way to review phonics skills, advanced word patterns, and build fluency.  Many websites such as www.azlyrics.com and more can provide free lyrics to songs.

Younger Students

For younger students, Michael Jackson songs, Ben E. King Stand by Me, My Girl by The Temptations and Katy Perry Wide Awake are surefire kid hits.  Each student is given a copy of the lyrics.  The rule is they must read the words while singing.

Older Students

For older students, create karaoke song lists using popular radio music (that have edited lyrics and the instrumental version).  Older students love this so much too!  Editing assists educators with being "creative" with lyrics. Add prefix and suffix patterns that fit the lesson that you are currently working on.  Karaoke is especially helpful for older students that need extra phonics assistance too but might shy away from traditional word study practice.  

When organizing music in your karaoke binder, identify the sounds or affixes that are constantly repeated in the songs.  For example, Beat It by Michael Jackson repeats the -ea, -igh, -an, and -ear word patterns.  Stand By Me by Ben E. King repeats consonant blend patterns such as the st-, cr-, and fr- sounds.  

This makes a great whole class activity or can be used as a fluency and/or phonics center.

Also include reader's theater.  Alternate between karaoke, reader's theater, and traditional phonics or fluency practice.

Click Here For Long Vowel Sound Reader's Theater

Common Core Inference Computer-Based Practice

It has been said that necessity is the mother of all invention. As a teacher, I know this to be so true!  Informational text can be so tricky for students.  Inferring is definitely tricky too.  I was looking for online practice that does not require fancy gadgets to operate and that could keep score.  This software also needed to be all on one site and cover one topic at a time. It also had to be written at a level that below grade level third or fourth graders could use but still be about a relevant topic!  

This became so frustrating that I decided to make my own software!  Below is a link for a sample of this downloadable software for a temporary sampler price of $1.75.  Download it to as many of your classroom computers that you would like.  No sharing please.  The entire software will be released soon, and has so many features to make your life and my life sooooo much easier that it is top secret until it is released.  Use it as a guided reading station or for individualized practice.  Click Here to Access It

Relive History with TpT Hard Goods

These historical replicas are a surefire way to make history come alive in your classroom!  These TpT brand new hard goods will be promptly mailed to you and include free shipping.  

For years, I have used props to teach history.  Students enjoy wearing bonnets as they pretend to travel West.  They get a kick out of holding money that looks the same as the money that was used during Colonial times.  The students feel like they are there at the Mayflower when they hold replicas of the Mayflower passenger list and Mayflower Compact.  The documents and money are printed on antiqued parchment.  They look and feel old.  Just in time for Thanksgiving and units about early America or Westward Expansion.

Click a link below for more information.

Click Here Colonial and Revolutionary Currency Replicas

Click Here Pilgrim Hats, Mayflower Compact, and Mayflower Passenger List
Click Here Westward Expansion Bonnets, Dolls, and Raccoon Hats
Click Here Mayflower Passenger List and Mayflower Compact Replicas

Back to School Giveaway Winners Announced!

Hello Everyone!

Thank you so much for participating in the Back to School Giveaway.  Five winners were randomly selected.  The winners are:

First Place- Danielle Wadell
Second Place-Julie Carroll
Third Place- Sara Soucy, Crystal N., and Stacy Mayson

Congrats!!!!!!

3D Worksheets

Okay by now you know that I am on this never ending quest to figure out how to take simple subjects like reading and math and break all the rules when it comes to how to teach them. A link is provided below for some of the free templates shown here.  This is a great way to mix note-taking up a bit and motivate students to respond to text.

The next few pics are called 3D Worksheets.  I created them to motivate students to write down their notes, vocabulary words, etc. inside these worksheets.  For more ideas, follow my blog or my Pinterest board named Creativity.  Click here for the link

Gum Box Reading Response
The paper was printed on cardstock paper and was wrapped in aluminum foil.  The students had to write the main idea onto the pretend stick of gum and place it inside the student made gum boxes.  For dramatic effect, I walked around the classroom with a straw gift basket and collected all the "worksheets".

Paper Spool Summarizing

A thought came that it would be cool to make a spool out of paper and have students take notes on the actual thread.

When the students finish summarizing, all they have to do it roll up their thread and hand it in for me to check.



Mini Cereal Box Vocabulary
This is a mini cereal box  It is about four inches high.  Students have to write vocabulary words on the pieces of "cereal" from their reading with their meanings and place them in their boxes.

There are templates for most of these images.

Click Here To Access Free Templates

You May Also Be Interested In These Previous Posts:

Inference and Figurative Language Exit Slips

Although these were designed for middle school, these can be definitely used with fifth grade students and fourth graders especially with the higher demands of the Common Core.  Click Here For Inference Exit Slips

                 Click Here For Figurative Language Exit Slips

Differentiated Inference Task Cards and Differentiated Main Idea Task Cards for Elementary Students

These task cards are a fantastic way to differentiate instruction.  They allow for discreet differentiation of the same skill but at different reading levels. 

 Click Here For Differentiated Main Idea

 Click Here For Differentiated Inference

Back to School Giveaway!

  

Click Here To Access Free Teaching Resources

This is the very first Literacy and Math Ideas sweepstakes giveaway!  Yippee!  

First Prize        $50 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Certificate (1 Winner)

Second Prize  $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Certificate (1 Winner)

Third Prize       1 Item of your choice from my Teachers pay Teachers Store (3 Winners)

Click Here For My Store,  Literacy and Math Ideas

To enter, 

1.  Follow me at this Pinterest link Click Here

2.  Pick any pin on this board and leave the comment "Back to School Giveaway"

That's all!  The contest is from Sunday, August 26th until

Sunday, September 9th at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time  U.S.A.

Five winners will be randomly selected.  Enter today.

(Special note:  Pinterest has been a little glitchy.  After clicking the follow button at the Pinterest link above, leave a comment on one of the pins.  If Pinterest won't allow you to, leave a comment on this post.  Comments from both the link and this blog post will be entered into the sweepstakes.)

Common Core Freebie: Activity Sheets for Integrating Social Media and The Common Core Standards

Students absolutely love social media!  Although students often use it for fun, this is an excellent tool for addressing the Common Core Standards.  Below is a link that includes two free activity sheets that combine popular social media and Common Core Standard RL.3 (Character Analysis).

Click the link below to access this freebie!

Click Here

Create Chalkboard Stations on Anything

Every year, a new "must have" item emerges.  Remember the flexible bright wristbands?  Or skinny jeans?  Okay, if we go back farther, remember Tickle Me Elmo?  Today, the new rage is chalkboard mania.  Chalkboard paint and chalkboard strips are everywhere.  On today's post, we will investigate some ways that these tools can be adapted for use in the classroom.  

There are chalkboard sheets and chalkboard paints.  They are available in most craft stores.  Chalkboard sheets were used for these classroom items.

Use special chalk markers or chalk.  They easily wipe off the slick chalkboard surface with a damp cloth.

Attach the adhesive side of the chalk paper to a sheet of card stock or piece of wood.  Trim off the excess.

Now it is time to have some fun.

Use it to identify groups of students for group work or guided reading.

Turn the paper into a write-and-wipe learning center station.

Or, place a piece of chalk paper onto another sheet of paper. Use as a task card center.  Access the grades K-5 Common Core task cards here. Access middle school level Common Core exit slips here.