3rd Grade Reading Comprehension that Supports Deeper Thinking

When Reading Gets More Rigorous, Planning Gets More Complicated

By third grade, students are expected to think more critically about texts, analyze characters, compare story elements, and back up their ideas with evidence. But meeting these expectations—while keeping students engaged and on track—can be a challenge without the right tools.

Rooted in Reading for 3rd Grade was created to help teachers do just that. With thoughtfully chosen mentor texts, skill-aligned lessons, and engaging response activities, this curriculum equips you to teach comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and response writing—all in one cohesive, literature-rich program.

Rooted in the Science of Reading

Rooted in Reading aligns with the Language Comprehension strand of the Science of Reading by explicitly teaching the skills that strong readers need: vocabulary, background knowledge, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge. These elements, when taught intentionally, support deeper comprehension and critical thinking.

The curriculum reflects the principles behind Scarborough’s Reading Rope, a visual model that shows how skilled reading is formed through intertwined strands of language comprehension and word recognition. Rooted in Reading strengthens the language comprehension strand by weaving together rich texts, meaningful discussions, and direct instruction in reading strategies—all while maintaining student engagement.

Third-Grade Teachers Often Face a Unique Set of Challenges:

• Teaching students to go beyond basic recall and begin analyzing and interpreting texts
• Finding engaging, age-appropriate picture books that support deeper thinking
• Incorporating grammar and writing without pulling from multiple disconnected resources
• Managing time effectively while covering a growing list of standards

Without a strong structure in place, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. That’s why Rooted in Reading is designed to bring consistency, clarity, and comprehension-based instruction to your reading block.

What’s Inside the Rooted in Reading 3rd Grade Curriculum?

This curriculum takes a comprehensive approach to reading instruction by anchoring weekly lessons around one engaging picture book at a time. Here’s what it includes:

• Four Weekly Units Per Month – Each focused on a high-quality picture book paired with specific comprehension and language skills
• Targeted Skill Instruction – Including point of view, cause and effect, character change, theme, main idea, and more
• Vocabulary and Grammar Lessons – Aligned with the weekly text for seamless integration
• Writing Prompts and Activities – Encourage students to respond thoughtfully to literature and build their writing stamina
• Hands-On Resources and Assessments – From interactive notebook pages to comprehension checks and anchor charts

Everything works together to help your students become stronger readers, deeper thinkers, and more confident communicators.

Teachers Are Seeing Results

“This is by far the best reading curriculum I’ve used. My students are engaged and making real progress with comprehension.” – 3rd Grade Teacher

“I love the structure, the skill focus, and the books! My planning is simpler and my students are learning more.” – Upper Elementary Educator

“This is truly a fantastic program. I love the exposure to authentic literature and the engaging activities that go with each read-aloud. My students enjoy learning and look forward to what stories they will hear that week. ” – Ashlee K., 3rd Grade Teacher

Ready to Gain Tools for Deeper Thinking in Your 3rd Grade Reading Block?

You can grab the complete Rooted in Reading for 3rd Grade bundle here:

It includes everything you need for a full year of reading instruction—all thoughtfully organized and ready to use.

Download a Free Sample Week

Curious to see how it works before committing? Try a full week of Rooted in Reading for 3rd Grade—completely free.

Final Thoughts

As expectations grow in third grade, Rooted in Reading helps you meet your students where they are and lead them to deeper comprehension and confidence. With structured lesson plans, rich literature, and skill-based learning rooted in evidence-based reading practices, this curriculum supports both student growth and teacher success—all year long.