3rd Grade Short Stories Resources

Teach your students how to write a great story with this comprehensive, step-by-step Story Writing Unit! Perfect for teachers who want to provide explicit, easy-to-follow lessons on story writing, this no-prep resource guides students through the entire process, from brainstorming and planning to drafting and revising. Help your students master essential writing skills as they build characters, develop plots, and create engaging stories that they’ll be proud of.

What's Included:

• 55 Fully Editable Teaching Slides:

  • Lessons on plot structure, including the beginning, middle, and end of a story.
  • Visual breakdown of key elements like rising action, climax, and falling action.
  • Detailed guidance on character development, settings, and story arcs.
  • Step-by-step instructions to help students plan and structure their stories.
  • Examples and visuals, including popular story references, to aid understanding.

• 25-Page Printable Workbook:

  • Brainstorming Pages: Help students generate ideas for characters, settings, and plots.
  • Character Development Sheets: Guides to create dynamic, multi-dimensional characters.
  • Plot Planning Tools: Plot mountain and story arc templates to outline story events.
  • Story Writing Prompts: Structured activities to encourage creative thinking.
  • Final Draft Templates: Space for students to write, revise, and finalize their stories.

• Final Writing Rubric: A clear rubric to guide and assess students as they write their final stories, ensuring they understand the essential components of a great story.

Key Features:

• No Prep, Ready to Use: Simply print the workbook and present the editable slides—perfect for busy teachers who want to make story writing easy and accessible.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: Each stage of the writing process is laid out in a clear, structured format, helping students learn how to write a complete, polished story.
• Engaging & Visual: The slides feature visual aids and real-world examples to make complex concepts easy to understand and fun to learn.
• Versatile Use: Great for individual, small group, or whole-class instruction. Suitable for writing centers, creative writing units, and language arts lessons.

Perfect For:

• Teachers who want to teach story writing in a clear, structured way with no prep required.
• Students who need explicit instruction on how to brainstorm, plan, and write a story.
• Educators looking for an all-in-one resource to build writing skills and boost creativity.

Get your students excited about writing with this engaging, comprehensive Story Writing Unit! They’ll learn everything they need to craft their own unique stories, step by step.

Unlock the Halloween Spirit with these No PREP- Language Arts, Reading, writing, Vocabulary & Word Search Ready-to-Use! This resource has got you covered with Lesson plans, how-to-use, morning work, Fiction, and Nonfiction reading passages, Story Comprehension color by number, Vocabulary cards, and Let's Find the Match vocabulary activity, enriching your ELA/literacy center activities.

These worksheets are the perfect solution for your Halloween teaching needs. This resource has got you covered with captivating morning work, enriching ELA/literacy center activities, a comprehensive Halloween packet, and quick options for early finishers. You won't find a better fit for your classroom.

The Halloween ELA activities include:

• 2-Halloween Reading Passages
• 2- Halloween Reading Comprehension Questions
• 2- Halloween Color By Number
• 2- Halloween Vocabulary Matching Activity
• 2-Halloween Word Search
• 2- Halloween Craft
• 2- Writing pages (Planning and Final Draft)
• 2- Vocabulary Card Sets One for Each Story

Check out the preview to see all the Halloween activities you will be getting!

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Thank you so much for your support and honest feedback!

All these resources are already done for you, saving you hours and prep time!

Thank you so much for your support and honest feedback!

Follow Literacytales for more engaging resources for grades 2-5!

Let's Connect:

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⭐ Pinterest

**⭐**Email

Click here for more fun digital resources!

Keywords: Word Search, Reading comprehension, Google Forms, Sound Tap & Write (Phonics)

Thank you so much for all you do for students as educators!

M. Tehfe

Literacy Tales

Where Stories Come Alive**✏️**

Each Who What Where When Why Differentiated Worksheet comes with a digital WH question version of the story. Students will read the summer, Children's Day, Father's Day, and 4th of July-themed short stories and then answer the Who What Where When Why guided questions.

In the differentiated worksheets, students have the option to fill in the answers or choose from multiple-choice options. The Google Slides digital version has audio support for questions and answers, multiple-choice answers, and self-checking.

This resource includes:

• 1 summer-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 Father's Day-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 Children's Day-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 4th of July-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)

Common Core State Standards: RL.2.1

You might also like:

• Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions 3rd-5th Grade | Animals BUNDLE
• Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions 3rd & 4th Grade | Four Seasons BUNDLE

I’m so glad you stopped by my store and checked out this resource! Follow my store to be updated about new products and sales. Don’t forget to leave feedback to earn credits toward future purchases by heading to MY PURCHASES in your TeachShare account. 

Connect with me!

• Follow my store for resource updates and sales!
• Send me an email at bethanierosesmith@gmail.com

Teacher Bethanie @TaughtOught Homeschooling

Do your students need practice to identify the main events and elements of a story? Do they have trouble distinguishing between main ideas or events and details? Then this close reading set is for you! These 15 worksheets with reading passages are designed to give your students an opportunity to practice identifying sequencing main events and details, as well as story elements!

What's included in the money-saving bundle:

Main Events and Sequencing Close Reading Worksheets

After reading each passage, students will identify the three main events in sequential order, a small detail from the story, as well as something made up that never actually happened in the story - my students love this!!

This packet contains 15 passages including one that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day titled "Catching a Leprechaun."

These no-prep worksheets are ready to go for you. Just print and proceed! The 15 passages offer variety, and this packet is ideal for teachers who want their students to get additional practice with this important skill.

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE:

• 15 Printable Worksheets

Story Elements Close Reading Worksheets

Do your students need practice to identify the elements of story? These 15 worksheets with reading passages are designed to give your students an opportunity to practice identifying story elements.

After reading each passage, students will identify the characters, setting, problem (conflict), and lesson (theme).

This packet contains 15 passages including one that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day titled "Catching a Leprechaun."

These no-prep worksheets are ready to go for you. Just print and proceed! With 15 passages, this packet is ideal for teachers who want their students to get additional practice with this important skill.

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE:

• 15 Printable Worksheets

***Note: both resources in the bundle utilize the same stories but each set focuses on a different skill! Perfect for practicing multiple skills!

Perfect for extra skill work during:

• morning meetings
• brain breaks
• sub-activities
• indoor recess
• snack time
• morning work
• early finishers
• end of year

★I would love to have you as my newest follower!★ Click here to follow.

GOAL- to provide factual information, explore published work samples, and supply a digital scaffolded research organizer so students may complete an AUTHOR STUDY FOR JAQUELINE WOODSON.

1. *The 2 PREREADING PowerPoint lessons provide digital pre-reading resources, historical background info, vocabulary word study, practice, and assessment for both Jaqueline Woodson’s poetic memoir, Brown Girl Dreaming and and the short story, The Day You Begin. PDF LINKS to texts, AUTHOR INTERVIEW LINK, LINKS FOR BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH and printables included.
2. *These lessons have been paired with the DIGITAL BIOGRAPHY RESEARCH TEMPLATE to create a full AUTHOR STUDY bundle .

EACH SHORT STORY PREREADING LESSON
• Opening slide
-genre, author photo and short bio.

-INTERVIEW LINK IS INCLUDED

- PDF LINK IS INCLUDED
• 2 setting slides
-Location photos with map
-Time period photos with live link to period music clip!
• Vibrant Vocab slides
-bold photos appear without word for inference making
-vocab word 'slides in' so photo can be first WITHOUT the word
-part of speech
-concise definition
• Context clue worksheets used as a pretest, posttest, or practice
• Quizlet vocab practice link
• Part of speech sort
*Class prediction and word connotation discussion slide

*Word Study organizer

>>>Plus, each ZIP file comes with a PDF folder containing 6 printable worksheets to be used with the PPT lessons.<<<

EDITABLE BIOGRAPHY RESEARCH TEMPLATE

This PowerPoint template has been designed to assist students in creating a well organized nonfiction biography project. The editable slides are highly organized with slide titles needed for a thorough project. Questions and prompts are included so students will always include all critical information.

Teachers can adapt the template to their needs and the needs of their students. The template is perfect to support Special Education students, ESL students, struggling students, or guide the entire class!

Nonfiction design includes elements such as topic, main idea, factual details, paraphrasing, and citations. The slides are logically organized and allow for adding photos or drawings . Slides can be deleted and others added where needed. The end product may be used as a Reading assessment.

This Digital Editable PowerPoint template will allow all students to complete their NONFICTION Biography Project and present an end product they are proud of!

These no prep nonfiction and fiction reading passages with comprehension questions and main idea and key detail graphic organizers are perfect for your second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade students! These reading comprehension worksheets will bring a love of learning back to your reading block. Your students will be engaged while learning!

Do your students DREAD having to read nonfiction texts? Do they moan and groan when it's time to read informational text because they find the topics boring or tiresome? These engaging, nonfiction passages about the animals of the Amazon rainforest, Chinese New Year, Presidents' Day and Arctic Animals will have your readers begging for more!

☀️_Check out my preview for details and click on each product included in this bundle to get a better look at what is inside each one._

With This Resource You'll Get:
★ Engaging nonfiction passages
★ Different formats for students response
★ Main idea and key details graphic organizer
★ Text dependent questions
★ Some multiple choice answers
★ Short answer written response
★ Standards-based tasks

How You Can Use This Resource:
✎ whole group
✎ small group
✎ partner work
✎ independent work
✎ homework
✎ literacy centers
✎ animal research
✎ animal research reports

Check Out What Teachers Are Saying:

❤️Brittney S. says, "Great articles and easy prep!"

❤️Ariane O says, "Interesting passages and solid level given the COVID learning loss.

❤️Wendy W says, "I used this with my class when discussing rainforest habitats. They loved learning about the different animals."

IRelated Products

☀️Monthly Holiday Nonfiction Reading Passages

☀️Arctic Animals Reading Passages
☀️Amazon Rainforest Animals Nonfiction Passages

☀️Chinese New Year Passages

☀️Nonfiction Passages about Presidents and Inauguration Day

⚠️ See Errors or Mistakes:
If you see anything that needs modifying, or if you have any questions, please contact me in the Q&A section.
You may also email me directly at basicbizteaching@gmail.com.

✨ Earn Free Resources:
Leaving feedback provides both of us with something valuable!
I get to learn how to continue creating the resources you and your students will love, and you will receive FREE credits toward your future purchases!

Tons of short stories to explore

These activities not only encourage critical thinking but also help students practice their reading skills in a fun and engaging way. By discussing their answers in pairs or small groups, they can develop communication skills and learn from one another. Ultimately, these reading passages serve as a stepping stone toward becoming confident, independent readers.

The passages are nice and short and engaging. Your students will want to read more.

Growth Mindset Writing Activity: Roll a Story Creative Writing with Story Cubes

Looking for creative writing activities that are engaging and fun? These growth mindset story cubes are perfect for you! Storytelling with dice is a great way to increase student engagement while reinforcing growth mindset concepts.

This roll-a-story activity is perfect for use at literacy stations, as an early finisher activity, or a creative writing assignment.

NOTE: Students must be somewhat familiar with growth mindset concepts and themes in order to utilize this product.

This file includes:

• Teacher Tips
• Student Instructions (for use at literacy stations, for example)
• A variety of planning pages with or without instructions
• Two options for story writing paper (primary and intermediate lines)
• Parts of a story posters (in full color and black-and-white on half sheets)
• 16 CUBE SKINS (4 per component)
• 4 BLANK CUBE SKINS (for students to create their own growth mindset theme, setting, action, and noun)

Please take a look at the preview and thumbnails before you purchase the product to ensure that it is a good fit for your students.

This product is most appropriate for 2nd-5th grade. There are a variety of ways to differentiate this resource to meet the needs of your students.

These growth mindset products pair well with this writing activity:

GROWTH MINDSET PICTURE BOOK BUNDLE:

GROWTH MINDSET PICTURE BOOK BUNDLE

GROWTH MINDSET BELL RINGERS:

GROWTH MINDSET BELL RINGERS FOR 2ND GRADE-3RD GRADE

GROWTH MINDSET BELL RINGERS FOR 4TH GRADE AND UP

GROWTH MINDSET ACTIVITY BUNDLE:

GROWTH MINDSET BUNDLE: AFFIRMATION POSTERS, FLIP BOOKS, AND PRIVACY FOLDER

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Kirsten Tulsian has 18 years of experience in elementary education. She has been a homeroom teacher for first grade, third grade, and fourth grade, as well as ESL. She has also been a school counselor for grades PK-6, an ESL pullout teacher for K-6, and a Reading Recovery Teacher. She received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology from The University of Iowa and a Master’s of Education in school counseling from Sam Houston State University. She believes that students make the most progress when they are engaged in their hearts as well as their minds. Her resources offer relevant, rigorous, engaging content that nurtures the whole child.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Copyright © Kirsten’s Kaboodle. All Rights Reserved.

• Purchasing this product gives the purchaser ONE LICENSE to this product. This allows the purchaser the right to reproduce this product for HIS/HER class ONLY.

• Duplication for an entire team, school, or school district is strictly forbidden.

• If other teachers would like copies of this product, please direct them to my store.

• You may not reproduce, redistribute, or post this item on a blog or website for download (free or paid).

• Copying any part of this product (even for a classroom website) is also in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

• You may not modify, copy, or alter this product in any way.

• Please feel free to spread the word about this product via social media or blog post. A link to the product (or my store) is much appreciated.

Looking for a quick and hassle-free way to get your students into the Thanksgiving spirit? Look no further! Our No PREP Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary & Word Search Ready-to-Use resource has everything you need, including lesson plans, morning work, fiction and nonfiction reading passages, story comprehension color by number, vocabulary cards, and a Let's Find the Match vocabulary activity. This resource is perfect for enhancing your ELA/literacy center activities and will make your Thanksgiving lesson planning a breeze.

This is a comprehensive Language Arts packet and quick options for your short week in November. Celebrate, teach, cover the skills, print, and go. You won't find a better fit for your classroom.

Key Features:

⭐ Vocabulary Enhancement: Students will enhance their vocabulary skills.

⭐ Thanksgiving Fun: With two Thanksgiving pictures waiting to be colored in, this activity adds a festive touch to your November lessons.

⭐ Bonus Word Searches: We've included three Thanksgiving -word searches that tie into the theme, giving students even more word-related challenges to enjoy.

⭐ Aligned with New Jersey Standards: Our resource is designed to align with New Jersey educational standards, ensuring that it supports your curriculum objectives.

⭐Save Time and Engage Students: This resource is a time-saver for busy teachers. Print and Go!

Included:

The Thanksgiving ELA Packet Includes:

Teacher's Resources :

• Lesson Plans
• How to Use
• Table of contents to save on ink and paper
• Answer Keys

Students' Resources:

• 2- Fiction Reading Passages 1 advance and 1 for struggling students
• 2- Non-Fiction Reading Passages 1 advance and 1 for struggling students
• 2- Reading Comprehension Questions
• 2- Color By Number
• 2- Vocabulary Card Sets One for Each Story
• 2- Vocabulary Matching Activity
• 3- Word Search
• 2- Thanksgiving pictures to design their writing.
• 3- Writing pages (Planning and Final Draft)

Check out the preview to see all the Thanksgiving activities you will be getting!

Thanksgiving Vowel Sounds

Thanksgiving Color By Code Editable

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Thank you so much for your support and honest feedback!

All these resources are already done for you, saving you hours and prep time!

Thank you so much for your support and honest feedback!

Follow Literacytales for more engaging resources for grades 2-5!

Let's Connect:

⭐ Instagram

⭐ Facebook Group

⭐ Pinterest

**⭐**Email

Click here for more fun digital resources!

Keywords: Word Search, Reading comprehension, Google Forms, Sound Tap & Write (Phonics)

Thank you so much for all you do for students as educators!

M. Tehfe

Literacy Tales

Where Stories Come Alive**✏️**

Each of the four Who What Where When Why Differentiated Worksheets comes with a digital WH question version of the story. Students will read the Spring, Mother's Day, Easter, and St. Patrick's Day-themed short stories and then answer the Who What Where When Why guided questions.

In the differentiated worksheets, students have the option to fill in the answers or choose from multiple-choice options. The Google Slides digital version has audio support for questions and answers, multiple-choice answers, and self-checking.

This resource includes:

• 1 spring-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 Mother's Day-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 St. Patrick’s Day-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)
• 1 Easter-themed digital short story with guided, self-checking WH questions with 2 printable version worksheets with two differentiated reading comprehension levels (with answer key)

Common Core State Standards: RL.2.1

You might also like:

• Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions 3rd-5th Grade | Animals BUNDLE
• Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions 3rd & 4th Grade | Four Seasons BUNDLE

I’m so glad you stopped by my store and checked out this resource! Follow my store to be updated about new products and sales. Don’t forget to leave feedback to earn credits toward future purchases by heading to MY PURCHASES in your TeachShare account. 

Connect with me!

• Follow my store for resource updates and sales!
• Send me an email at bethanierosesmith@gmail.com

Teacher Bethanie @TaughtOught Homeschooling