Rhode Island Grade 3 English

Separate Your View from the Author’s

Distinguish your point of view from an author’s in an original Grade 3 reading activity. Read the passage, try the task, and use the explanation to check the evidence behind your response.

Curriculum reference: Rhode Island Core Standards for English Language Arts/Literacy, 2021, from the Rhode Island English language arts standards page.

Rhode Island Grade 3 references for this activity

Rhode Island’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education endorsed the Rhode Island Core Standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics on March 9, 2021. This activity links a selected reading reference in RIDE’s 2021 English document. The complete curriculum also includes writing, language, speaking, and listening; check the school’s texts and learning sequence.

These selected reference labels identify an activity focus, with the correct grade and PDF page linked separately. Read the complete standards selected by the school and its learning sequence, including reading, writing, language, speaking, and listening. This short original example does not fulfill the entire curriculum or establish a student’s grade-level proficiency.

How to arrange a reading shelf

This original classroom example is separate from official assessment questions.

Arrange the reading shelf by topic. Put books about animals together and books about space together. A reader who wants a particular topic can see several choices in one place. Keep labels clear so readers can find the group they need.

Try the activity

What arrangement does the author favor, and what reason supports it? A reader says, “I prefer putting books in order by the writers’ names.” Separate that reader’s view from the author’s view without changing either one.

Follow the reasoning

The author favors arranging books by topic. The reason is that readers interested in a topic can find several related choices together. The other reader favors ordering books by writers’ names. That is the reader’s preference, not a statement the author makes. The author’s instructions and reason establish the view in this passage; they do not establish that every other arrangement fails. A clear response might say: “The author recommends topic groups to help readers find related books. I might prefer a different arrangement, but that preference is my view.” Students should name their own actual preference rather than copy the example as a required opinion.

Notice what needs more practice

The invented passage presents one recommendation. It does not report a measured comparison of shelving systems. Agreeing or disagreeing with the author does not change what the author says.

Grade 3 English worksheets

Choose printable practice that matches the skill being taught. Check the task, reading difficulty, and directions before assigning it; the collection is independently published.

Browse Grade 3 English worksheets

Use the next session to build independence

1. State the author’s recommendation.
2. Locate the reason given for it.
3. Write your own view in a separate sentence.

Use a teacher-selected informational paragraph that expresses a view. Explain that view with evidence, then write a clearly labeled personal response.

For more general reading and writing resources, visit the Grade 3 English Online Center.

Rhode Island Grade 3 English: useful planning questions

Must I agree with an author to explain the author’s view?

No. You can describe the author’s position accurately and then state a different view of your own.

Which standards does the school use?

Rhode Island’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education endorsed the Rhode Island Core Standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics on March 9, 2021. This activity links a selected reading reference in RIDE’s 2021 English document. The complete curriculum also includes writing, language, speaking, and listening; check the school’s texts and learning sequence. The school’s sequence also includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language work beyond this example.