Unit Plan 11 (Grade 3 ELA): Comparing Key Details Across Texts

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week teaches students to analyze multiple sources on the same topic and explain how key details and main points are alike and different. Students learn to gather notes from print or digital texts, sort evidence by subtopic, and name/record sources. They also practice using context clues and word parts to clarify domain vocabulary that appears across the texts. By Friday, learners compare two short texts on the same topic, support claims with details from both, and submit brief notes plus a simple sources list.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Identify each text’s most important point and key details on the same topic, then explain alike/different points across texts.
2. Gather information from print or digital sources, take brief notes, paraphrase key ideas, and record source titles.
3. Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues and common affixes, and explain how word choice supports a key idea.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 3

• Reading Informational: RI.3.9 (compare/contrast most important points and key details in two texts on the same topic)
• Writing: W.3.8 (recall/gather information; take brief notes; sort evidence; provide a list of sources)
• Language: L.3.4a–d (determine/clarify word meaning using context, affixes, reference materials)

Success Criteria — student language

• I can tell the most important point for each text in one sentence.
• I can name two supporting details from each text.
• I can state how the texts are alike and different about the topic.
• I can take brief notes in my own words and list where I found the information (titles/sites).
• I can figure out a new word using context or word parts and explain its meaning.