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3rd grade sub plans: writing

A 3rd grade writing block for a substitute, 50 minutes: write the prompt on the board (today's is “Tell about a time you helped a friend solve a problem.”), give partners two minutes to talk, then students write a paragraph with a first sentence that says the idea, details and an ending. Volunteers read theirs aloud, and the papers go to the teacher.

Checked October 30, 2026. Made from Peabody Teach's own passages, worksheets and brain break cards.

Make the whole day at 3rd grade ▸

The writing block

Writing

  1. Write this on the board: “Tell about a time you helped a friend solve a problem.”
  2. Give partners two minutes to tell each other their idea out loud before anyone writes.
  3. Students write for 35 minutes. Ask for a paragraph: a first sentence that says the idea, details, and an ending.
  4. Volunteers read theirs aloud at the end. Collect the papers for the teacher.

On the projector: Writing prompts by grade

Break: Snow globe (45 sec, silent). Shake your hands, arms and shoulders like a snow globe that has just been shaken. Then stop and be as still as you can while the snow settles slowly, one breath at a time.

Subbing 3rd grade

Third graders read to learn: they can take a page of text and a set of questions, and most can write a full paragraph. Multiplication facts are often this year's math, so the sheets here are review a class has usually met.

  • Ask them to answer in full sentences that use words from the question.
  • Keep math to practice; if a sheet turns out to be new to them, switch to the warm-up problems on the board.
  • A new adult gets tested gently. Say the plan out loud in the morning, and stick to it.

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