FAST 3rd Grade Reading Jeopardy Game

Vocabulary & Figurative Language

Literary Elements

Informational Analysis

Structure & Reasoning

Text Features

100

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Maya stared at the blank white sheet. Tomorrow was the school art fair, and every other student had finished their masterpieces. Maya’s brother, Leo, peeked into her room. "Still nothing?" he asked. "I’m just not an artist, Leo," Maya sighed, her shoulders drooping like a wilted flower. "Everyone else is painting sunsets, but I'm just stuck."

Leo handed her a charcoal stick. "You're trying to be them. Just be you." Maya closed her eyes and thought about the thunderstorm from last night—the jagged bolts of light and the deep, rumbling rhythm. She began to move the charcoal in fast, chaotic strokes. By morning, she had a "stormy soul." She held her head high, finally proud of her unique vision.

What does the simile "drooping like a wilted flower" tell you about Maya’s mood? [R.3.1]

She felt discouraged, defeated, or lacking energy.

100

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Which sentence best summarizes the plot of "The Empty Canvas?" [R.1.2]

A girl finds her own art style after her brother encourages her to be herself.

100

Passage 2: Informational | Lexile: 740L

"Florida’s Living Fossils"

If you walk along the Gulf of Florida’s beaches, you might find a creature that looks like it belongs in a museum: the Horseshoe Crab. These "living fossils" have not changed in over 450 million years!

How They Help Us:

Their eggs provide essential food for migrating birds. Without these crabs, many bird species would go hungry. Also, their blue blood is used by scientists to test the safety of medicines.

Structure of a Survivor:

These crabs have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton and a long, pointed tail. While the tail looks scary, it is actually used to flip the crab over if it gets stuck.

What is the central idea of Passage 2? [R.2.2]

Horseshoe crabs are ancient creatures that are vital to humans and nature.

100

Passage 2: Informational | Lexile: 740L

"Florida’s Living Fossils"

How They Help Us:

Their eggs provide essential food for migrating birds. Without these crabs, many bird species would go hungry. Also, their blue blood is used by scientists to test the safety of medicines.

Structure of a Survivor:

These crabs have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton and a long, pointed tail. While the tail looks scary, it is actually used to flip the crab over if it gets stuck.

What is the text structure of the section "How They Help Us"? [R.2.1]

Cause and Effect

100

Passage 2: Informational | Lexile: 740L

"Florida’s Living Fossils"

How They Help Us:

Their eggs provide essential food for migrating birds. Without these crabs, many bird species would go hungry. Also, their blue blood is used by scientists to test the safety of medicines.

Structure of a Survivor:

These crabs have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton and a long, pointed tail. While the tail looks scary, it is actually used to flip the crab over if it gets stuck.

How do the bold headings in Passage 2 help the reader navigate the text? [R.2.1]

They signal the start of a new section or central idea, so the reader can find information quickly.

200

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Maya stared at the blank white sheet. Tomorrow was the school art fair, and every other student had finished their masterpieces. Maya’s brother, Leo, peeked into her room. "Still nothing?" he asked. "I’m just not an artist, Leo," Maya sighed, her shoulders drooping like a wilted flower. "Everyone else is painting sunsets, but I'm just stuck."

Read this sentence from paragraph 1: "Everyone else is painting sunsets, but I'm just stuck."

Use context clues to define the idiom "stuck." [V.1.3]

Having no ideas or being unable to move forward.

200

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Character Perspective: How does Maya’s view of her art change? [R.1.3]

She starts out feeling like she isn't an artist, but ends up proud and confident in her vision.

200

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees: Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends: This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps: Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

What is the central idea of Passage 4? [R.2.2]

Building log cabins was a difficult process that required specific steps and materials.

200

Passage 3: Poem

"The Clock’s Complaint"

1 I stand upon the classroom wall,

And watch the children grow so tall.

My hands, they race a tireless track,

With never time for looking back.

5 Tick-tock, tick-tock, I loudly cry,

While golden hours hurry by.

I’m older than the wooden desks,

And tired of all these math-class tests!

9 I’d love to stop and take a nap,

Or fold my hands into my lap.

But I must march, the school’s brave knight,

To keep the schedule ticking tight.

Based on the structure, what type of poem is Passage 3? [R.1.4]

Rhymed Verse (It has a consistent AABB/CCDD rhyme scheme).

200

*Refer to the Paper Copy of Passage 2:

Based on the map in Passage 2, where are you most likely to find these crabs? [R.2.1]

Along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

300

Passage 3: Poem

"The Clock’s Complaint"

1 I stand upon the classroom wall,

And watch the children grow so tall.

My hands, they race a tireless track,

With never time for looking back.

5 Tick-tock, tick-tock, I loudly cry,

While golden hours hurry by.

I’m older than the wooden desks,

And tired of all these math-class tests!

9 I’d love to stop and take a nap,

Or fold my hands into my lap.

But I must march, the school’s brave knight,

To keep the schedule ticking tight.

Identify the metaphor used in the final stanza of the poem. [R.3.1]

"The school's brave knight."

300

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

What is the theme of The Empty Canvas? [R.1.2]

Authenticity / It is better to be yourself than to copy others.

300

Passage 2: Informational | Lexile: 740L

"Florida’s Living Fossils"

How They Help Us:

Their eggs provide essential food for migrating birds. Without these crabs, many bird species would go hungry. Also, their blue blood is used by scientists to test the safety of medicines.

Structure of a Survivor:

These crabs have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton and a long, pointed tail. While the tail looks scary, it is actually used to flip the crab over if it gets stuck.

What is the author’s primary purpose for writing Passage 2? [R.2.3]

To inform the reader about the importance and body of horseshoe crabs.

300

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Passage 4 uses which text structure to explain building a cabin? [R.2.1]

Chronological Order/ Chronology (Sequence of steps)

300

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees: Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends: This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps: Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Why did the author put the word "chinking" in italics in Passage 4? [R.2.1]

To signal it is a new or important technical vocabulary word or term. They provide the definition after it in parenthesis.

400

Passage 3: Poem

"The Clock’s Complaint"

1 I stand upon the classroom wall,

And watch the children grow so tall.

My hands, they race a tireless track,

With never time for looking back.

5 Tick-tock, tick-tock, I loudly cry,

While golden hours hurry by.

I’m older than the wooden desks,

And tired of all these math-class tests!

9 I’d love to stop and take a nap,

Or fold my hands into my lap.

But I must march, the school’s brave knight,

To keep the schedule ticking tight.

The clock wanting to "take a nap" is personification. What does this reveal about its feelings? [R.3.1]

It feels overworked, tired, or bored with its routine.

400

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Plot Development: What was the climax (turning point) of Maya's story? [R.1.1]

When she chooses to paint the thunderstorm using charcoal strokes.

400

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Author's Purpose: Why did the author write Passage 4? [R.2.3]

To explain the history and methods of pioneer construction.

400

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees: Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends: This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps: Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Cause & Effect: Why did pioneers need to use "chinking?" [R.2.1]

Because the logs weren't perfectly straight (cause), they needed mud/grass to block the wind (effect).

400

*Refer to the diagram found on the paper copy of Passage 4:

How does the diagram in Passage 4 help the reader understand "Step 2"? [R.2.1]

It provides a visual of how the logs fit together, which is hard to imagine with just words.

500

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Use context clues from Passage 4 to define the word rigorous. [V.1.3]

Hard, difficult, or requiring a lot of effort/work.

500

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Character Development: How did Leo’s advice help Maya succeed? [R.1.1]

He provided the tool (charcoal) and the specific advice Maya needed to change her mindset.

500

Step 2: Notching the Ends

This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs, so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Identify the author's claim in Passage 4 about Notching found in "Step 2." [R.2.4]

That it was the "most important step," because it kept walls stable without nails.

500

Compare Texts: How is the purpose of Passage 1 different from the purpose of Passage 4? [R.3.2]

Passage 1: Literary | Lexile: 680L

"The Empty Canvas"

Passage 4: How-To / Historical | Lexile: 720L

"Building the American Frontier"

Long ago, pioneers didn't have stores to buy wood. They had to clear the land themselves. Building a log cabin was a rigorous process that required many steps.

Step 1: Selecting the Trees: Pioneers looked for straight trees, like pine or cedar.

Step 2: Notching the Ends: This was the most important step. They cut "V" shapes into the ends of logs so they would fit together like a puzzle. This kept the walls stable without using nails.

Step 3: Chinking the Gaps: Logs aren't perfectly straight, so there were always cracks. Pioneers used chinking (a mix of mud, grass, and clay) to fill the gaps. This kept the cold wind out.

Passage 1 is to entertain or tell a story; Passage 4 is to inform or explain a process.

500

Which text feature would you add to Passage 4 to show what a finished cabin looked like? [R.2.1]

A photograph or an illustration of a completed cabin.