CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1c

ELA3rd GradeComprehension and Collaboration

The Standard

Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students listen closely to a classmate and ask a question when an idea or detail is unclear. They keep responses focused and connect them to what others said.
What Mastery Looks Like: During a discussion, students accurately refer to a peer’s idea, ask a relevant question, and contribute a related thought. They can explain how their comment connects.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think any question counts, even when it is unrelated or was already answered. Some repeat a peer without adding detail, or switch topics without connecting their comment.
How to Assess It: After a one-minute partner talk about a shared text, each student says, “You said ___. My question or connected idea is ___.” Listen for an accurate, relevant link.

Lesson moves

Use linking cubes during a read-aloud discussion, adding one cube after naming the previous speaker’s idea and giving a connected comment.
Discuss which classroom rule is fairest, and require each response to begin with “I agree,” “I disagree,” or “I want to add.”
Play Topic Tracker: read comment cards aloud, then teams label each one “connected” or “off topic” and explain their choice.
Have groups plan a class celebration, asking one clarifying question and linking each new suggestion to an idea already shared.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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