The 3rd grade reading comprehension activities below are coordinated with the 3rd grade spelling words curriculum on a week-to-week basis, so both can be used together as part of a comprehensive program, or each part can be used separately. The worksheets include third grade appropriate reading passages and related questions. Each worksheet (as well as the spelling words) also includes a cross-curricular focus on earth science, physical science, history, social sciences, mathematics and life sciences. This allows students to build their reading comprehension skills and reinforce knowledge in other subject areas. There are 36 weeks of third grade worksheets, following most standard school year calendars.
Please Note: Revised worksheets were recently posted (March 2012) after discovering a few errors. We’re sorry about the inconvenience. K12reader.com relies on teachers and parents to help improve the quality of worksheets. Please contact us here if you notice any inaccuracies. Thank you!
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Click on the title of each worksheets to download the printable PDF. Students should read each passage and then answer related questions. They can also write answers on another page or back of the worksheet.
Week 1 Reading Comprehension (C-1)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
Forms of Matter
A reading passage and comprehension questions about the different forms of matter.
Week 2 Reading Comprehension (C-2)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
Converting Energy to Motion
A passage and questions about how energy can be stored and converted.
Week 3 Reading Comprehension (C-3)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Evaluating in Math
A reading passage and questions about the meaning of “Evaluate” when it is used in mathematics.
Week 4 Reading Comprehension (C-4)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
Waves and Currents
Brief outline describing waves and currents, and how they are related.
Week 5 Reading Comprehension (C-5)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Sum Difference
Reading passage and questions about how addition and subtraction are related to each other.
Week 6 Reading Comprehension (C-6)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
The Product-Quotient Connection
Reading segment describing how multiplication and division are related to each other.
Week 7 Reading Comprehension (C-7)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
Elements and Atoms
Reading passage describing the relationship between elements and atoms.
Week 8 Reading Comprehension (C-8)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
Traveling to the Distant West
A segment and related questions about how people traveled to the west.
Week 9 Reading Comprehension (C-9)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
What Causes Reflections
passage describing how light waves hit an object to cause reflections.
Week 10 Reading Comprehension (C-10)Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
Adapting to Survive
A passage about how living things have certain adaptations that allow them to survive.
Week 11 Reading Comprehension (C-11)Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
The Tundra Biome
A description of the cold Tundra biome and animals that live there.
Week 12 Reading Comprehension (C-12)Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
Habitat Destruction
A short passage about human impact on plants and animals.
Week 13 Reading Comprehension (C-13)Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
Competing for Resources
A reading passage that describes how plant and animals compete for limited resources.
Week 14 Reading Comprehension (C-14)Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
In danger of Extinction
A passage about the Koala and how it faces possible extinction.
Week 15 Reading Comprehension (C-15)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Geometric Shape Names
A reading passage and questions about how geometric shape names use number prefixes.
Week 16 Reading Comprehension (C-16)Cross-Curricular Focus: Earth Science
Phases of the Moon
Reading comprehension passage about the different phases of the moon.
Week 17 Reading Comprehension (C-17)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Classifying Triangles
Passage and questions about equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles.
Week 18 Reading Comprehension (C-18)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Kinds of Angles
A description and comprehension questions about the different types of angles.
Week 19 Reading Comprehension (C-19)Cross-Curricular Focus: Physical Science
Galileo and His Telescope
A story about the origins of Galileo’s telescope
Week 20 Reading Comprehension (C-20)Cross-Curricular Focus: Earth Science
Why Does the Moon Orbit Earth
A brief passage explaining why the moon orbit Earth.
Week 21 Reading Comprehension (C-21)Cross-Curricular Focus: Science Investigation
The Scientific Method
Description of the scientific method as a method of learning about things.
Week 22 Reading Comprehension (C-22)Cross-Curricular Focus: Study Skills
Making Predictions
A comprehension passage about using predictions before reading.
Week 23 Reading Comprehension (C-23)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Displaying Data
A reading segment describing the use of data to make graphs.
Week 24 Reading Comprehension (C-24)Cross-Curricular Focus: Earth Science
What’s the Forecast?
A passage and questions about weather forecasts and meteorologists.
Week 25 Reading Comprehension (C-25)Cross-Curricular Focus: Mathematics
Estimation
A passage and comprehension questions about using estimation on math problems
Week 26 Reading Comprehension (C-26)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
Community Connections
A passage about our communities and the interactions we have with other people.
Week 27 Reading Comprehension (C-27)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
National Symbols
Reading passage about our national symbols like the flag and bald eagle.
Week 28 Reading Comprehension (C-28)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
United States Geography
An overview of the physical geography of the United States.
Week 29 Reading Comprehension (C-29)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
Location, Location, Location
A brief passage about a location’s resources, climate and terrain affect livability.
Week 30 Reading Comprehension (C-30)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
What is Culture?
A passage and related questions about culture and it’s role in communities.
Week 31 Reading Comprehension (C-31)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
What is a Tribal Government?
A brief overview of the type of government representing Indian tribes.
Week 32 Reading Comprehension (C-32)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
Storytelling and Folklore
reading segment about the role of folklore and storytelling.
Week 33 Reading Comprehension (C-33)Cross-Curricular Focus: Earth Science
World Climates
An overview and related questions about the different types of climates on earth.
Week 34 Reading Comprehension (C-34)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
Three Levels of Government
A reading passage and questions about the three different levels of government.
Week 35 Reading Comprehension (C-35)Cross-Curricular Focus: History / Social Sciences
An Independent Nation
Reading segment about the time leading up to U.S. Independence.
Week 36 Reading Comprehension (C-36)Cross-Curricular Focus: Study Skills
Using Prior Knowledge
A passage about using prior knowledge to help study and learn.