Fall Nonfiction Reading Passages and Questions | No Prep

Bring reading to life this fall with this engaging set of 8 digital and printable nonfiction reading passages with comprehension questions, designed specifically for 3rd grade and fully aligned to the 2024 Virginia Standards of Learning (VA SOLs). These high-interest fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving reading passages are perfect for helping students strengthen essential ELA comprehension skills while exploring fun and seasonal topics.

Each passage includes 5 comprehension questions that encourage students to think deeply, locate text evidence, and build critical reading strategies. Whether you’re teaching in Virginia or following Common Core or TEKS standards, these passages are designed to support your reading curriculum and provide meaningful, standards-based practice.

What’s Included:

-8 nonfiction reading passages featuring fall and seasonal topics

-5 comprehension questions per passage that assess key reading skills

-Digital Google Slides™ version for interactive learning

-3 printable layout options for flexible classroom use

Answer keys for easy grading

List of question types to target specific ELA standards (main idea, inferencing, text structure, and more)

Engaging Fall & Holiday Topics:

-Changing Leaves – Explore the science behind the colors of fall.

-Hurricanes – Learn about powerful fall storms and weather patterns.

-Apples – Discover the history and fun facts about this classic fall fruit.

-Bats – Uncover the truth about these misunderstood nocturnal creatures.

-Peanut Butter Cups – A sweet dive into everyone’s favorite Halloween treat.

-Carving Pumpkins – The origins and fun traditions of jack-o’-lanterns.

-Veterans Day Poppies – Learn the meaning behind this important symbol of remembrance.

-Thanksgiving – A look at the history and traditions of this American holiday.

Multiple Print & Digital Formats

Each passage comes in three printable versions to fit your classroom needs:

-Passage and questions on two pages

-Passage on one full page and questions on another

-Compact version with both passage and questions on one page

-Plus, the included Google Slides version makes assigning and grading simple in Google Classroom or any digital learning platform. Perfect for independent practice, reading centers, morning work, homework, or small group instruction.

Skills Addressed:

-Main Idea and Supporting Details

-Author’s Purpose

-Context Clues and Vocabulary Development

-Text Structure

-Inferencing

-Summarizing Information

-Citing Text Evidence

Aligned to:

-2024 Virginia SOLs (Grade 3)

-CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1 – RI.3.5

-TEKS 3rd Grade Reading Standards

Why Teachers Love This Resource:

✅ Engaging nonfiction topics that capture student interest

✅ Standards-aligned for SOL, Common Core, and TEKS classrooms

✅ No-prep and easy to use — print or assign digitally

✅ Great for test prep, reading comprehension practice, and skill review

✅ Differentiated layouts for flexible classroom needs

Bring the beauty of autumn into your classroom with these 3rd Grade Fall Nonfiction Reading Passages — the perfect mix of seasonal fun and academic rigor!