The Broken Swing (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: How can a group share something fairly when there is not enough to go around? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 180 words in 5 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. Page 2 has five questions, three multiple choice and two written. Remind students to answer in complete sentences and to point to the part of the text that proves their answer. Check the work with the answer key.

The Broken Swing gives 3rd grade students a fiction passage of about 180 words about a group of children who need a plan after the playground swing breaks, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and making inferences, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2. An answer key is included.

The Broken Swing is a fiction passage of about 180 words about a group of children who need a plan after the playground swing breaks. It is written for 3rd grade readers (ages 8-9) and has 5 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice the main idea, making inferences, vocabulary in context and cause and effect. Questions include "What is the main idea of this story" and "Why did the children keep the chart after the swing was fixed". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.3.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: How can a group share something fairly when there is not enough to go around? Before reading, ask students to predict what might happen from the title. After reading, have them retell the story in two or three sentences before they answer the questions.

Set aside roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Families can use it for a calm reading session, and teachers can use it as homework, a center or a short formative check of the main idea and vocabulary in context.