Reading Worksheet · Grades 3–5
Making Connections in Reading Worksheet
A 3-page worksheet for grades 3-5 that teaches the three classic comprehension connections: text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world. Students read a short fiction passage about a nervous moment before giving a class report, answer five passage-comprehension questions, and then produce one connection of each named type. Includes a strategy reference and a complete answer key with sample connections.
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Subject
Reading
Grades
Grades 3–5
Skill Focus
Making Connections in Reading, reading comprehension
Lesson Length
25 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Strong readers do not just decode words; they actively connect what they read to what they already know. Schema-building through three connection types – text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world – is one of the seven core reading strategies. This worksheet introduces all three in a single workout.
The reference box at the top of page 1 defines each connection type with a generic framing example. T-S links the text to a personal experience, T-T links the text to another book or movie, and T-W links the text to something happening in the wider world. The passage that follows – a short scene of Marcus waiting to give his first class report – is broadly relatable so students can readily make all three connection types.
Section A is five short comprehension items that anchor students in the passage details (what Marcus is about to do, what his damp note cards suggest, what the topic of his report is). Section B is the connection-making workout: one item for each connection type. Each Section B item gets a generous response box so students have room to be specific about both the passage detail they are connecting to and the outside knowledge they are connecting it with.
Page 3 is a complete answer key with sample connections of each type. Because connections are personal, the key explicitly notes that any reasonable answer of the named type is acceptable, and gives one strong sample per item so a teacher can calibrate what ‘reasonable’ looks like.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and ask students to give one quick verbal example of each connection type before they read the passage.
Have students read the Marcus passage independently and circle one or two details that remind them of something from their own life.
Use Section A as a quick comprehension warm-up to ensure all students understand the passage before they make connections.
Walk through Section B together at first – model a T-S connection aloud using your own life so students see the level of specificity expected.
Have students complete Section B independently and then share one connection of each type in pairs or small groups.
Use the answer key on page 3 for student self-check; remind students that any reasonable connection of the named type is correct.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Making Connections in Reading Worksheet
A 3-page worksheet for grades 3-5 that teaches the three classic comprehension connections: text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world. Students read a short fiction passage about a nervous moment before giving a class report, answer five passage-comprehension questions, and then produce one connection of each named type. Includes a strategy reference and a complete answer key with sample connections.
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