Teaming Up for the Science Fair
To: sammy.chen@lincolnelementary.org
From: maya.rivera@lincolnelementary.org
Date: October 14
Subject: Update on our solar system project and plan to meet!
Hi Sammy,
I hope you are having a great weekend! I wanted to send you a quick email about our third-grade science fair project on the solar system. Our presentation is only four days away, so I think we should check in on what we have done and what we still need to finish.
First, here is an update on my half of the assignment. Yesterday, I went to the town library with my older brother. I found two great books about the rocky planets. I read about Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Then, I wrote short informational cards for each one. I made sure to include facts about their size, temperature, and how long they take to orbit the sun. Did you know that a year on Mercury is only eighty-eight days long? It moves around the sun so fast! I also painted the four foam balls to match the real colors of those planets. Earth looks really neat with its blue oceans and white swirl clouds. The paint took overnight to dry, but now they are ready to be attached to the board.
- orbit:
- To travel in a curved path around a star, planet, or moon.
- diorama:
- A three-dimensional model showing a scene with miniature figures or objects.
- sturdy:
- Strong and firmly built so that it will not easily break or fall over.
- assemble:
- To bring together and connect different parts to make a finished object.
- informational:
- Giving true facts and details about a specific topic.
- transportation:
- A way of traveling or carrying people from one place to another.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is Maya's primary reason for sending this email to Sammy?
- 2Which planets did Maya research and prepare cards for?
Where this passage belongs
About this letter / email passage for 3rd Grade
“Teaming Up for the Science Fair” is a letter / email reading passage about science fair project collaboration, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (416 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.