21 Perfect 3rd Grade Reading Fluency Passages (Free)
Looking for the best 3rd grade reading fluency passages? Here are 3 long fluency passages and 18 short fluency passages I know you’ll love!
I LOVE third grade! I taught third grade for four years. It’s the perfect age to teach.
Every week, I gave my students a new fluency passage. Each day I would have them read the weekly passage.
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Practicing the same passage over and over is a great way to improve fluency.
It really helped improve my students’ fluency and I know it will help your 3rd graders too. I’ve written this post of fluency passages to help your students.
I also have posts about class names, classroom procedures, class jobs, attention grabbers, and class reward party ideas. I know they’ll help you too!
Fluency Practice
Fluency practice involves reading the passage multiple times with accuracy, appropriate pacing, and expression. Encourage your 3rd grade students to read aloud regularly and build their reading skills gradually.
Long 3rd Grade Reading Fluency Passages
Here are 3 long reading passages. They can be used for fluency drills, partner reading, choral reading, literacy centers, and independent reading to help student fluency.
Title: The Amazing Adventures of Max
Once upon a time, in a small town called Greenville, lived a curious boy named Max. Max was a third-grader who loved exploring and going on adventures. He had a wild imagination and a big heart.
One sunny morning, as Max was playing in his backyard, he noticed a mysterious map sticking out from under a pile of leaves. Excitedly, he picked it up and saw that it led to a hidden treasure deep in the nearby woods.
Without hesitation, Max grabbed a backpack and packed it with snacks and water. He followed the winding path on the map, overcoming obstacles like fallen trees and slippery rocks. The journey was not easy, but Max was determined to find the treasure.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, Max encountered various animals like squirrels and rabbits. He stopped to talk to them and even helped a little lost bird find its way back to its nest.
Finally, after a long and adventurous hike, Max reached the spot marked on the map. There, under a giant oak tree, he found a treasure chest buried in the ground. He carefully dug it up and opened it with trembling hands.
Inside the chest, Max discovered not gold or jewels, but a collection of old books filled with magical stories and incredible adventures. The treasure was knowledge, and it was more precious to Max than anything he had imagined.
Excited about his discovery, Max ran back home and shared the books with his family and friends. They spent countless hours reading and imagining themselves in far-off lands, just like the characters in the stories.
From that day on, Max’s love for books and learning grew, and he continued to have amazing adventures in the pages of every book he read.
And so, the little town of Greenville knew that they had a true hero among them, a curious and kind-hearted boy named Max, who taught everyone that the greatest treasures were not always made of gold.
The end.
Title: The Amazing Space Adventure
Once upon a time, in a small town named Starville, there lived a curious boy named Alex. Alex was fascinated by the stars and the mysteries of the universe. One night, while gazing at the twinkling sky, he noticed a shooting star streaking across the horizon. But this was no ordinary shooting star – it seemed to be getting bigger and brighter as it approached Earth!
Excited and curious, Alex rushed to his backyard, where he saw a small, silver spaceship landing gracefully in a nearby field. The spaceship’s hatch opened, and out stepped a friendly alien named Zara. Zara was from a distant planet called Nova, and she had come to Earth to explore and learn about our planet.
“Hello, Earthling!” Zara said with a warm smile. “I come in peace. My planet is thousands of light-years away, and I have traveled across the galaxies to visit your beautiful world.”
Amazed and thrilled, Alex invited Zara into his house to learn more about her planet and share stories about Earth. Zara was eager to learn about human customs, culture, and even our favorite foods. They spent hours talking and laughing, becoming fast friends.
As the night grew darker, Zara suggested a fantastic idea: to explore the cosmos together! She invited Alex to join her on a grand space adventure to see the wonders of the universe. Without hesitation, Alex agreed, and they both hopped back into Zara’s spaceship.
The spaceship zoomed into the sky, and in no time, they were soaring among the stars. They visited planets with rings made of ice and moons with oceans of liquid methane. They marveled at the beauty of colorful nebulas and watched distant galaxies collide.
Zara also showed Alex her home planet, Nova, which had stunning purple skies and floating cities. She explained that Nova was a place of peace and harmony, where all beings coexisted in perfect balance.
As they traveled through space, Alex and Zara encountered friendly alien beings from different planets. They shared their knowledge and exchanged gifts as tokens of friendship. It was an extraordinary journey, and Alex realized how vast and diverse the universe truly was.
After what felt like an eternity of exploring, it was time to return to Earth. Alex felt a mix of happiness and sadness as they bid farewell to their newfound friends. Zara promised to visit Earth again someday, and they promised to keep in touch across the stars.
Back in his backyard, Alex waved goodbye as Zara’s spaceship soared back into space. He knew that this extraordinary adventure would be a memory he cherished forever.
From that day on, Alex continued to look up at the night sky with wonder and amazement. He knew that even though he was just a small boy on a tiny planet, he was connected to the vast universe in the most magical way.
And so, the adventures of Alex and Zara became legendary in Starville, reminding everyone that friendship knows no bounds – not even across the infinite reaches of space.
The end.
Title: The Mystery of the Missing Crown Jewels
In the heart of the bustling city of Brightchester, the Royal Castle stood tall and majestic. It was home to the beloved King Benjamin and his family, who ruled the land with kindness and wisdom. The castle was also the safekeeper of the Crown Jewels, a collection of precious gems and ornate crowns that had been passed down through generations.
One sunny morning, as the townspeople were preparing for the grand Summer Festival, an alarming discovery was made – the Crown Jewels were missing! Panic spread through the city as the news reached every corner. King Benjamin called for an immediate investigation, and the best detective in the kingdom, Detective Lily, was summoned to solve the case.
Detective Lily was a smart and resourceful young girl with a keen eye for details. She gathered clues, questioned witnesses, and examined every inch of the castle. Her loyal sidekick, Max, a clever and mischievous cat, was always by her side.
The first clue they found was a strange footprint near the window of the Royal Chamber. It seemed larger than any human foot and had three distinct claw marks. Lily knew this was no ordinary thief – it had to be someone or something with extraordinary abilities.
As they followed the trail of clues, Lily and Max met a quirky group of castle staff. There was Amelia, the kind-hearted maid, who had a passion for baking delicious treats. Next was Thomas, the castle gardener, who had a green thumb and tended to the most beautiful rose garden. Lastly, they met Walter, the castle chef, who was famous for creating mouthwatering dishes fit for royalty.
Each of the staff had an alibi for the time of the theft, and no one seemed to have any motive to steal the Crown Jewels. Lily was puzzled but determined to find the truth.
One evening, as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the castle, Lily noticed a small, shiny object peeking out from behind a bush in the rose garden. She rushed over and found a sparkling gem from the Crown Jewels! Max meowed excitedly, leading Lily to more hidden gems scattered throughout the garden.
The trail of gems led them to a secret passage that only a few knew about. Cautiously, Lily and Max ventured inside, and to their surprise, they discovered a hidden chamber filled with stolen treasures – not only the Crown Jewels but also valuable artifacts and precious heirlooms from the kingdom’s history.
Before they could celebrate their find, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. It was a mysterious character dressed in a black cloak, with glowing eyes that seemed to pierce the night. The thief had been caught red-handed!
With a dramatic flourish, the figure removed the cloak, revealing a surprise that left everyone astonished. It was none other than Amelia, the gentle maid! She confessed that she had stolen the treasures out of desperation. Amelia’s family had fallen on hard times, and she believed that selling the stolen items would solve their financial troubles.
King Benjamin listened with empathy and forgave Amelia for her actions. He understood the difficult circumstances she faced and promised to help her family.
The Crown Jewels were safely returned to their rightful place, and the Summer Festival went on as planned, filled with joy and laughter.
As a reward for her brilliant detective work, Detective Lily was honored with a special medal and a title – “The Saviour of the Crown Jewels.” She and Max continued to solve mysteries together, bringing justice and kindness to the kingdom whenever it was needed.
And so, in the land of Brightchester, the tale of the missing Crown Jewels became a legend of bravery, compassion, and the enduring power of friendship.
The end.
Short 3rd Grade Fluency Passages
Here are 18 short stories for reading practice for 3rd graders.
The Clever Ant
Once in a tiny anthill, there lived a clever ant named Andy. He was always looking for new ways to help his fellow ants. One day, when a big rainstorm flooded their home, Andy quickly thought of a solution. He directed all the ants to work together to build a wall to protect their home from future floods. The ants worked tirelessly, and their anthill became stronger than ever before.
The Amazing Solar System
Our solar system is a fascinating place with planets, moons, and stars. At the center is the Sun, which gives us light and warmth. The eight planets orbit around the Sun, with Earth being the third one. Some planets are big and gassy, like Jupiter, while others are small and rocky, like Mars. Learning about the solar system can take us on a thrilling journey through space.
The Magical Garden
In a hidden corner of the old town, there was a magical garden that no one knew about. A young girl named Lily stumbled upon it one day. As she entered, the garden seemed to come alive with colorful flowers and talking animals. Lily soon discovered that the garden had special powers. It could grant wishes to those who truly believed in the magic of nature.
A Trip To The Zoo
Last Saturday, my family and I went to the zoo. We saw many different animals, like lions, elephants, and giraffes. The zookeeper told us exciting facts about each animal. It was a fun and educational day. I especially liked the playful monkeys swinging from tree to tree. We took lots of pictures and made memories that will last forever.
The Great Invention
Tim was a young inventor with a brilliant mind. One day, he had a fantastic idea for a flying machine. He worked hard in his little workshop, using spare parts and his creativity to build a prototype. After many trials and errors, Tim’s invention finally worked! His flying machine took him on a thrilling ride above the clouds. Tim’s invention was a success, and he became famous for his amazing creation.
In the heart of the Enchanted Forest, there stood a magnificent tree with magical powers. The tree was rumored to grant wishes to those who were pure of heart. A brave young girl named Emily set out on a quest to find the tree. Along the way, she faced challenges and met magical creatures. When she finally reached the tree, she made a selfless wish for the happiness of her family and friends.
The Secret Clubhouse
Tom and his friends had a secret clubhouse in the woods. They spent their summer days playing games, telling stories, and having adventures. They promised to keep the clubhouse a secret, and it became their special place. One day, they discovered a hidden treasure map, and together they followed the clues to find a buried treasure that brought joy to the whole neighborhood.
The Friendly Dragon
In the land of fairytales, there lived a friendly dragon named Spark. Unlike other dragons, Spark loved to make friends with the people in the nearby village. At first, the villagers were scared of him, but Spark showed them his kind heart by helping them with tasks and protecting the village from danger. Soon, the village and the dragon became the best of friends, proving that true friendship can be found in the most unexpected places.
The Friendly Dolphin
One sunny day at the beach, Sarah saw a dolphin swimming close to shore. She waved, and the dolphin waved back! It was a friendly dolphin who loved playing with people. Sarah named him Danny, and they became the best of friends.
The Lost Kitten
In the park, Tim found a tiny, scared kitten. It had no collar or tags. Tim took it home and gave it food and love. He asked around the neighborhood but no one claimed the kitten. Tim decided to keep the kitten and named her Whiskers.
The Magic Seed
Samantha planted a mysterious seed in her garden. Overnight, it grew into a gigantic beanstalk that reached the clouds! Curious, she climbed up and found a magical land above. There, she met a giant who was kind and fun. They became adventure buddies.
The Soccer Championship
At the soccer championship, the teams were tied with only a minute left. Jenny dribbled the ball skillfully and scored the winning goal! Her team cheered with joy, and they won the championship trophy. Jenny felt proud of her hard work and teamwork.
The Silly Robot
Leo built a silly robot named Robo. It had funny dance moves and told jokes. At the talent show, Robo performed, and everyone laughed and clapped. Leo and Robo won the “Most Entertaining” award.
The Enchanted Book
In the dusty attic, Emma found an old, dusty book. As she opened it, she was transported to a magical land. In the land of dragons and fairies, she went on thrilling adventures. Each time she read the book, a new enchanting story unfolded.
The Curious Squirrel
Sam watched a curious squirrel in the park. It hopped from tree to tree, searching for acorns. Sam decided to leave some nuts nearby. The squirrel was delighted and even posed for a photo!
The Superhero Costume
At the costume party, Lily wore her homemade superhero costume. She was “Super Star,” who could fly and shoot starlight. When her friends needed help finding lost toys, Lily saved the day with her special powers.
The Talking Painting
In Grandma’s house, there was a mysterious painting. One day, the subjects in the painting started talking to Tim. They told tales of their time, and Tim learned about history through the talking painting.
The Rainbow Race
On a rainy day, Ben saw a rainbow in the sky. He imagined racing the colors, and the rainbow turned into a colorful track. Ben raced the rainbow, reaching the pot of gold at the end – his imagination!
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Final Thoughts
Please practice fluency with your students this school year. Have them read a reading passage every day.
It is the best way to improve oral fluency skills and reading comprehension skills. It will even help your struggling readers become more fluent readers.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like more fluency resources or passages. Happy teaching!
