South Dakota ELA 3.RL.3

ELA3rd GradeReading Literature

The Standard

Describe the setting and characters in a story and explain how they contribute to the main events.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students notice clues about a story's place, time, and people. They connect those details to what happens next, using moments from the story.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain why the wolf's actions make the pigs flee. They can also explain why the brick house keeps the pigs safe at the end.
Common Misconceptions: Students may name a place or character without explaining how either affects the action. They may list events in order but miss what caused them.
How to Assess It: After reading The Three Little Pigs, ask: “How does one house affect what happens when the wolf arrives, and how does one character's choice affect the ending?”

Lesson moves

Place paper pigs and a wolf on a three-house map; move them as you retell the chase and label why each house matters.
Ask, “Would the ending change if all three pigs built brick houses? What in the story makes you think so?”
Play a card match: pair each pig, the wolf, or a house with an event, then explain each match aloud.
Show a photo of a rain-soaked playground; ask how the wet ground and a classmate's choice could change a recess story.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.RL.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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