The printable reading comprehension worksheets listed below were created specially for students
at a 3rd grade reading level. Each file includes a fiction or non-fiction reading passage, followed
by a page of comprehension questions.
Select the apple core symbol ( ) to view Common Core Standards associated with each reading
activity.
Fiction Stories
Closet Creature (Fiction) Free
When Adam wakes up in the middle of the night to scary sounds coming from his closet, he'll
need help to find out just what kind of creature is trapped inside.
Time Capsule (Fiction) Member
Anna buries a time capsule in her garden with her favorite book, her yo-yo, and other treasured
items. After a short while, she realizes that all of her favorite things are gone and she wants
them back.
Ben's Loose Tooth (Fiction) Member
Ben's sister Kate is trying to help him remove his wiggly tooth, but nothing is working. This is a
high-interest fiction piece that will require your students to read carefully for details.
The Strange Star (Fiction) Member
When Rosie visits the beach with her father, she can't see the nighttime stars she loves. But
when she looks down in the sand, she discovers a new kind of star.
The Haunted Tree (Fiction) Member
Mark and Will hear strange noises coming from a scary-looking tree near their bus stop. When
Mark works up the courage to peek inside a hallowed part of the tree, he is surprised by what he
finds.
Brotherly Love Member
Michael needs to make some extra money to buy a new video game, and with his older brother's
help, he'll make enough in no time. But will Michael get his new game or find a way to repay his
brother?
Birthday Surprise (Fiction) Member
Nobody in class remembered to wish Emma a happy birthday. They're all too busy planning a
surprise party for the school custodian.
Friends Helping Friends Member
Jared has a busy weekend of finishing his science fair project, but when his friends ask him to
help with other things, he doesn't want to disappoint them. Will helping his friends mean he
won't finish his project on time?
Clear Choice (Fiction) Member
Rachel doesn't want her friends to know she has glasses, but when she can't see the board in math
class, her teacher gives her the choice of wearing her glasses or moving her seat away from her
friends.
Birthday Treat Member
Randy can't wait to see what Mrs. Anderson is baking for a special birthday treat. But when he
discovers what the treat is, he's more than a little disappointed. Can his grumbling stomach
change his mind and maybe even his taste buds?
Snow Dance (Fiction) Member
All Adrianna really wanted for Christmas was a new sled, but now that she has one it won't
snow. Will the snow come before winter break is over or will Adrianna's favorite gift sit unused?
Shark Teeth (Fiction) Member
Trina is determined to find a shark tooth before she leaves Myrtle Beach. She finds something
that could be a tooth, but she's not positive. Will the mystery item be enough to satisfy her
search?
Leaf races Member
Kendall's stuck raking leaves and can't imagine anything more boring, but her neighbor, Eli,
shows her just how much fun leaves can really be.
Math Problems (Fiction) Member
Alex is sure he's going to be in big trouble when he has to bring his math quiz home to be signed.
But his failing grade may help him find an answer to his math problems.
Shh! It's a Secret (Fiction) Member
Reagan is tired of keeping all Jennifer's secrets, especially when it hurts her best friend Lena.
Backyard Visitor (Fiction) Member
When a baby deer shows up in the backyard, Sarah wants to treat it like a pet, but when her mom
tells her the dangers of interacting with wild animals, Sarah will have to find another way to
remember her backyard visitor.
Friday the 13th (fiction) Member
Maxine is worried about her math test, and when her best friend, Adam, tells her it's Friday the
13th, Max finds herself worrying even more. Will stepping on cracks and walking under a ladder
be enough bad luck to make Max fail her test?
Carnival Fever (Fiction) Member
When Sophie comes down with a fever on the day of her best friend's birthday party, she couldn't
be more disappointed. The party has a carnival theme with all Sophie's favorite games, and now
she's stuck home in bed. She dreams of the fun she's missing at the party, until her family comes
up with the perfect solution for her carnival fever.
Foul Ball (Fiction) Member
Emmitt is having a great time at the baseball game, except he really wants to catch a foul ball.
But when he gets the chance, the decision he makes will surprise more than just him.
Lunchbox Surprise (Fiction) Member
Mom told Emma to expect a special surprise at lunch. What could the surprise be? Emma and
Emma's friend Alice work to find out.
To the Rescue (Fiction) Member
Jose dream of being a superhero. When Sarah's cat gets stuck in a tree, he may finally have his
chance.
Grandma to All (Fiction) Member
Tamara is excited to spend the weekend with her grandmother, but her best friend Darla doesn't
want to hear about it. When Tamara finds out what's really bothering Darla, she just might have a
way to cheer up her friend.
Weathering the Storm (Fiction) Member
When Sara's birthday party is cancelled due to a hurricane, she can't think about anything else.
But when her mother shows her how others are affected by the storm, Sara has a change of heart.
Someplace Special Member
Brooke's mom is taking her someplace special, but Brooke can't figure out where that could be.
And the answer isn't anything she would've guessed.
Rules of the Playground Member
It's Maddie's first day in a new school, and at recess she can't wait to try out the giant play set.
But according to the rules of the playground set by the fourth graders, Maddie's not allowed on
it. Now she'll have to decide what's more important, playing by the rules or making new friends.
Super Robotoman Member
All Toby wants for his birthday is a new Super Robotoman action figure, and he makes sure
everyone knows it. But when he finally rips into his birthday gifts, he'll get big surprise.
Dragon Trouble (Fiction) Member
Princess Liz and Princess Beth fear that a dragon is coming down the hall.
Garden for One Member
Rebecca loves helping her grandmother in her vegetable garden and dreams of having one of her
own, but her yard isn't big enough. Can her grandmother help her figure out how to have a
garden without a proper yard?
Naturevs Rainbow Member
Jayden doesn't know how his teacher expects him to find every color of the rainbow on their
nature hike, and if he doesn't stop staring at the missing answers on his paper, he'll never finish
the assignment.
Mini-Vacation Member
Lauren is dying to go on a real vacation like her neighbors, the Sandersons. But her parents can't
afford to take the time off work. Can she and her dad find a solution that works for everyone?
Making Fun Member
When Trevor's dad has to work late and can't take Trevor to Game World, he thinks his night
will be boring. But his older brother shows him that sometimes you have to make your own fun.
New Teacher Trouble (Fiction) Member
Liam used to like going to school... but the the new school year means a new teacher, and Liam's
been assigned to Mrs. Chompsky, the strictest teacher in the building.
Kids' Best Friend (Fiction) Member
Damon loves his dog, Prince, but when a new puppy shows up next door, Prince is pushed aside.
Can Damon learn that while puppies are cute, a grown dog can offer friendship?
Pool Party (Fiction) Member
Ava doesn't want to disappoint her best friend Melanie by missing her pool party, but Ava
doesn't want everyone to find out she can't swim either.
Friday Night Football Member
Bobby doesn't like having to give up his Friday nights to watch his brother Nick play football,
but when he finds out he's Nick's good luck charm, he just might change his mind.
Anna's Diary (Fiction) Member
Someone keeps pulling Anna's diary out from under the bed - even when she puts her kitty in
charge of guarding it. Help her solve the mystery to reveal the culprit.
Video Game Mania (Fiction) Member
Paige wants to go outside and play basketball, but her brother Alec is determined to get to the
next level on his video game. Paige decides to join Alec and play the game, but what happens
when she causes him to lose the game?
Oh, Canada! (Fiction) Member
Anthony's mom was born in Canada. When he studies Canada in school, he excitedly races
home to tell her all of the interesting facts about Canada he learned.
The Good Old Days Member
When Patrick interviews his grandmother for a school project, he discovers that she walked to
school as a child, her family didn't have a television set, and couldn't play video games. He
wonders why grandma refers to her childhood as "the good old days."
Time Machine Swing Set (Fiction) Member
Alex's imagination has transformed his swing set into a time machine. But when his neighbor
Becca comes to visit, Alex isn't sure if he should share his secret with her.
Sleepover Nightmares (Fiction) Member
Kayla is worried about her first sleepover. She isn't a night person and is afraid her friends will
make fun of her if she falls asleep first.
Scariest Scarecrow (Fiction) Member
Ben is excited to go to his uncle's farm to pick pumpkins and apples, but when Uncle Darrell
can't keep the crows away from his crops, Ben will have to figure out how to make the scariest
scarecrow to fix the problem.
Friendly Sports Member
Mindy has been practicing for soccer sign-ups, but when all her friends decide to join
cheerleading, Mindy will have to decide if being with them is more important than playing
soccer.
Tomorrow (Fiction) Member
Jimmy is excited to go outside and play on his swing set, but his plans have to change when he
discovers that it's raining outside.
Who's on First? (Fiction) Member
Liam's been working hard getting ready to try out for the position of first baseman, but when his
best friend Eric goes out for the same position, the question becomes "Who's on First?"
Spare (Fiction) Member
When Lena's two best friends plan a bowling trip without her, Lena is determined to find out
why she's left feeling like the spare. But when she shows up at the bowling alley, she'll find out
things aren't always what they seem.
Girls Rule! Boys Drool! (Fantasy) Member
When Ripley is caught spying on his friend Laney, she gets annoyed and yells "Girls rule! Boys
drool!" The magic that happens next teaches Laney an unexpected lesson in manners.
Rainy Day Fun Member
Spencer wants to spend his weekend riding bikes with his best friend, Elton, but the rain ruins his
plans. Or does it? With a little creative thinking, Spencer and Elton may be able to ride after all.
New Neighbors (Fiction) Member
Maura is excited to meet her new neighbors. She hopes a girl her age will move in so she'll have
someone to hang out with over summer break. But when the moving van arrives, Maura
discovers she'll get more than she wished for.
Friends Across Miles Member
Dana doesn't know what to do now that her best friend Elianna moved across the country. Will
the two be able to remain best friends with so many miles between them?
Erin's Four Leaf Clover (Fiction) Member
Erin found a four-leaf clover in her grandparents' backyard, but how will show prove its lucky?
Adventures of Crazy Cat Member
Pam and Myles are crushed when their favorite TV show is canceled, especially since it
reminded them so much of their cat. But their older brother has an idea to make the "Adventures
of Crazy Cat" continue.
Just Be Patient Member
Jared can't wait to get out of the summer sun and into the cool ocean water, but between the
traffic and beach crowd it seems like it's taking forever to finally swim. But he'll learn a lesson in
patience that will work in his favor.
Fossil Treasure Member
When a leak in the water pipes means digging up Colin's old sandbox, he starts to get nostalgic
for the days when he used to dig in the sand hoping to find dinosaur bones. But when the
backhoe reveals a fossil hidden in the dirt, Colin's dreams of discovery may come true after all.
Readers' Theater
Beary Unusual Pet (Readers' Theater) Member
When Robin, Sam, and Chris want a bear for a pet, they are surprised to find out that their
parents think it's a wonderful idea.
Pop, Poppity, Pop! (Readers' Theater) Member
A fun Readers' Theater story about a hungry kickball team whose wish for popcorn is magically
granted.
Poems
Raccoon Rex (Poem) Free
Meet a sneaky, undercover thief who steals sandwiches and hot dog buns from campers during
the night.
What To Feed my Dragon (Poem) Member
When a child gets a pet dragon, she has difficulty finding out what it likes to eat.
Creative Cooking (Poem) Member
A girl's mother lets her play in the kitchen, so she cooks up some wildly creative recipes.
Say Cheese! (Poem) Member
A child borrows his mothers camera and takes hundreds of pictures of animals, family, and
friends.
Sock Balls (Poem) Member
A kid balls up his dirty socks, which frustrates his mother but leads to creative fun.
Walk With My Dog (Poem) Member
Jake the dog walks down the street with his owner, meeting friendly neighbors along the way.
The Race (Poem) Member
A boy loses a running race against his shadow. Read the poem and answer the questions.
Great Catch (Poem) Member
A child tries to catch an earthworm, but what he catches isn't exactly what he expects.
Tree House Tools (Poem) Member
A cute poem about an absent-minded tree house carpenter
Grandma's Garden (Poem) Member
Grandma is able to grow her own spaghetti sauce in her garden.
Soccer Ball (Poem) Member
This poem is written from a soccer ball's point-of-view as it is kicked around a field during a
game.
Fall Fun (Poem) Member
A cheerful poem about the fun things you can do with autumn leaves.
Animals Living Together (Poem) Member
Your kids will enjoy this pretty nature poem about woodland creatures that live in the sky, on
land, and in the water.
Grandma's Attic (Poem) Member
While trying to sleep in Grandma's attic bedroom, the main character of this poem is haunted by
giant, moving shadows.
No Flying in School (Poem) Member
A teacher scolds a student for flying in school, but then she has a change of heart. Students love
this silly poem.
Non-Fiction Articles
Piggy Banks (Non-Fiction) Member
The history of piggy banks and how today's popular design was actually a mistake.
Magician of the Sea (Non-Fiction) Free
Did you know an octopus can vanish in a cloud of smoke, just like a magician? It's just one of
many ways octopuses defend themselves.
Monarch Butterfly (Non-Fiction) Member
The bold colors of a Monarch butterfly serve as a warning symbol to predators. Learn about this
fascinating insect and its life cycle.
Three Types of Bears (Non-Fiction) Member
There are lots of fun facts about Polar Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Giant Pandas in this article.
Holidays Throughout the Year (Non-Fiction) Member
Learn about the similarities and differences between different American holidays.
Giraffes (Non-Fiction) Member
Learn dozens of fascinating facts about giraffes, then answer the comprehension questions.
Camels: One Hump or Two? (Non-Fiction) Member
Why does a camel have humps? It's not to store water, but rather to store fat. Separate camel
facts from fiction with this article.
Solar Energy (Non-Fiction) Member
Learn how we're able to extract electrical energy from the sun.
Migration (Non-Fiction) Member
Discover the reasons animals migrate and read about the places they travel.
Let Go of My Lego! (Fiction with Facts) Member
Discover how Lego blocks got their name in this fun story.
Hibernation (Non-Fiction) Member
Learn about hibernating animals, why they hibernate, and what happens to their bodies during
the winter months.
Camouflage (Non-Fiction) Member
Find out how pattern camouflage, color camouflage, and mimicry can benefit predators and prey.
Bubbly Adventure (Science) Member
Three fun and easy soap bubble experiments kids can try.
Groundhog or Woodchuck? Member
Did you know groundhogs can climb trees? They're great swimmers too! They can also whistle
and bark. Learn many more fascinating facts about groundhogs in this article.
Skunks (Non-Fiction) Member
Learn dozens of fascinating facts about stinky, smelly skunks.
Mountain Ecosystem (Non-Fiction) Member
Read about the many different habitats found within a mountain ecosystem.
Biography
Martin Luther King (Biography) Member
A short article about Martin Luther King, followed by a set of reading comprehension questions.
Short Passages
Cheeky Chipmunks (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
Discover what's unusual about a chipmunk's cheeks, along with other interesting chipmunk facts.
Pencils (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
Brief, non-fiction passage explaining how pencil graphite was discovered, and what the numbers
on pencils mean.
The White House (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
Quick-read paragraph with factual information about the White House.
The Painted Desert (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
What is unique about the trees in this strange place? Students learn the secrets of the painted
desert.
Mount Rushmore (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
A short passage that teaches students about Mount Rushmore.
Egypt (Short, Non-Fiction) Member
Students can discover Egypt's Great Pyramid and the Sphinx in this quick reading
comprehension worksheet.
See Also:
1st Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Reading comprehension passages specially written for students at a 1st grade level.
2nd Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Reading comprehension stories, poems, and articles written at a 2nd grade reading level.
4th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Reading comprehension passages written at a 4th grade reading level.
5th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
More advanced stories, poems, and articles written at a 5th grade reading level.
Literature Circle and Book Club Worksheets
Literature circle role sheets, book bingo printables, book report forms, and other reading
worksheets.
Animal Articles
These non-fiction reading comprehension articles feature all types of animal species. Read level:
3rd through 5th.
Comprehension Worksheet Images
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