Whispering Compass Warmup Packet
Explorer's Journal
STAAR Reading Warm-Up • Grade 3
Name
Date
Tuesday • Day 1 Topic: Character Discovery & Vocabulary
Part 1: The Attic Discovery
Leo crept into the dusty attic. Sunlight slipped through a tiny round window, lighting up stacks of cardboard boxes and old furniture. He was searching for his grandfather's old camping gear, but instead, his toe stubbed against a heavy wooden chest. Leo knelt down and brushed off a thick layer of gray dust. With a loud squeak, the lid swung open. Inside lay a small, round object wrapped in faded blue cloth. Leo unwrapped it to find a brass compass. The metal was tarnished and dark, but when the light hit it, the needle began to spin wildly. It did not point north at all. Instead, it spun in crazy circles before stopping directly toward a bookshelf in the corner. Leo felt a shiver of excitement. This was no ordinary compass.
Read this sentence from the story.
"The metal was tarnished and dark, but when the light hit it, the needle began to spin wildly."
What does the word tarnished mean in this sentence?
A Polished and bright
B Brand new
C Dirty and lost its shine
D Broken into tiny pieces
Based on the story, what can the reader conclude about Leo?
A He is easily scared of dark places.
B He is curious and likes to explore.
C He is looking for items to sell.
D He does not like spending time indoors.
- Short Constructed Response
Explain why Leo is excited about finding the compass. Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Unit: Mysterious Discoveries STAAR Practice Packet Page 1 (Tuesday)
Explorer's Journal
STAAR Reading Warm-Up • Grade 3
Name
Date
Wednesday • Day 2 Topic: Author's Craft & Graphic Evidence
Part 2: The Hidden Map
The next afternoon, Leo’s sister, Maya, joined him in the attic. Leo showed her the spinning compass. Maya’s eyes went wide. She loved puzzles. "Let’s see where it points," she whispered. The compass needle trembled, then pointed straight toward a dusty green book titled Texas Trails. Maya carefully pulled the book from the shelf. As she opened it, a folded yellow paper slipped out and fluttered to the floor. Maya unfolded it gently. It was a hand-drawn map of their backyard! But the map showed a large oak tree that wasn't there anymore, marked with a small red "X" and the words The Explorer's Cache. "Leo, look!" Maya gasped, pointing to the paper. "This map is sixty years old! Our house wasn't even built yet!" They both stared at the map, ready to solve the mystery.
Why does the compass point to the book titled Texas Trails?
A The book is made of magnetic metal.
B It wants to guide them to the secret map inside.
C Their grandfather told them to read that exact book.
D The compass needle only works inside books.
Why does the author include the details that Maya "carefully" pulls the book and "gently" unfolds the paper?
A To show that Maya is clumsy in the dusty attic.
B To prove that Maya did not want Leo to see the items.
C To highlight that the old book and map are delicate.
D To explain why Maya was moving so slowly.
- Short Constructed Response
What does Maya's reaction to the compass and map reveal about her character? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Unit: Mysterious Discoveries STAAR Practice Packet Page 2 (Wednesday)
Explorer's Journal
STAAR Reading Warm-Up • Grade 3
Name
Date
Thursday • Day 3 Topic: Theme & Compare/Contrast Synthesis
Part 3: The Secret Treasure
On Thursday morning, Leo and Maya carried the map and compass out to the yard. The compass needle pointed directly to the flowerbed where the old oak tree used to stand. Working together, they dug a small hole in the soft soil. Soon, Maya's trowel hit something hard. It was a small metal box. They opened it and found a collection of old coins, a pocket watch, and a handwritten note from their grandfather as a boy. It read, "To the future explorers who find this: never stop searching." Leo and Maya smiled at each other, their adventure complete.
What is the main message or theme of this story?
A Treasures must be kept secret from other family members.
B Curiosity and teamwork can lead to exciting discoveries.
C Old maps are always highly valuable to collectors.
D It is best to leave ancient wooden chests untouched.
How are Leo and Maya similar in the story?
A Both are eager to solve the mystery of the compass.
B Both would rather read inside books than play outside.
C Both are extremely hesitant about entering the attic.
D Both wish they had found standard coins instead of a note.
- Short Constructed Response
Explain how Leo and Maya used teamwork to find their grandfather's treasure. Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Unit: Mysterious Discoveries STAAR Practice Packet Page 3 (Thursday)
Whispering Compass Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key
Whispering Compass Reading Packet
Grade 3 STAAR Standards
TEKS TARGETS Vocabulary (3.3B)
Inference (3.6F)
Author's Craft (3.10A)
QUESTION TYPES 6 Multiple Choice
3 Short Constructed
Response (SCR)
GRADING GUIDE MC: 1 Pt Each
SCR: Up to 2 Pts
(1 Pt Claim, 1 Pt Evidence)
Tuesday • Day 1
The Attic Discovery
1 Correct Answer: C
Tarnished refers to metal that is dirty and has lost its shine.
2 Correct Answer: B
Leo's active search through the dark attic and curiosity about the chest show he loves exploring.
3 Model SCR (2 Pts)
Claim: Leo is excited because the compass is mysterious and unique.
Evidence: The text states the needle spun wildly and stopped pointing directly toward a corner bookshelf.
Wednesday • Day 2
The Hidden Map
4 Correct Answer: B
The compass is guiding the children directly to the old map tucked safely inside the Texas Trails book.
5 Correct Answer: C
Handling the items "carefully" and "gently" highlights that they are fragile artifacts of great historical value.
6 Model SCR (2 Pts)
Claim: Maya is extremely puzzle-loving and quick to act.
Evidence: Her eyes go wide, and she whispers "Let's see where it points," showing her passion for mysteries.
Thursday • Day 3
The Secret Treasure
7 Correct Answer: B
The overarching lesson is that combined efforts and curiosity make discovering exciting things possible.
8 Correct Answer: A
Both children work eagerly as partners, showing identical interest and excitement in solving the riddle.
9 Model SCR (2 Pts)
Claim: Leo and Maya use their separate strengths together.
Evidence: They combine the compass and map to locate the spot in the garden, then dig the hole together.
Instructional Recommendations
Warm-Up Routine: Allocate 8-10 minutes each morning. Give students 5 minutes to read and solve independently, followed by 3-5 minutes of guided review emphasizing context clues and text evidence.
Scoring SCRs: Have students trade packets on Thursday and grade each other's SCRs using the 2-point model. Prompt them to physically highlight the "Claim" and "Evidence" in different colors!
RACE Writing Journal Packet
STAAR Paragraph Builder
Daily Standalone Writing Journal • Grade 3
Name
Date
Monday • Topic & Brainstorm Step 1: Focus & Central Idea
STAAR Standalone Prompt
READ: Everyone has a favorite place where they feel happy, relaxed, or excited.
WRITE: Write about your favorite place to spend time. Explain why it is special to you.
Brainstorm Web
Idea 1: ____________
Idea 2: ____________
Idea 3: ____________
Jot down 3 possible favorite places
Write Your Central Idea
Combine your topic and favorite place into a strong claim sentence. (Example: "My favorite place is my grandmother's kitchen because...")
Partner Share Check
Read your central idea sentence to a partner. Check these off:
States favorite place clearly Gives a clear "because" reason
Standalone Writing System STAAR Paragraph Builder Page 1 (Monday)
STAAR Paragraph Builder
Daily Standalone Writing Journal • Grade 3
Name
Date
Tuesday • Reason & Transitions Step 2: Developing Details
Transition Starters
Use a transition word to start your first main detail! Try: "First of all," "To begin with," or "One reason this place is special..."
Descriptive Details
Write down exactly what you see, hear, or feel at your favorite place. This makes your writing come to life!
Tuesday's Prompt:
Write 2-3 sentences describing your first big reason why this place is so special. What do you do there? Use a transition starter!
Write your first reason and details:
Partner Share Check
Read your detail sentences to a partner. Check these off:
I used a transition word I described an activity or sight
Standalone Writing System STAAR Paragraph Builder Page 2 (Tuesday)
STAAR Paragraph Builder
Daily Standalone Writing Journal • Grade 3
Name
Date
Wednesday • Sensory Details Step 3: Vivid Descriptions
Second Detail Transition
Start your second detail with transition words like: "Additionally," "Another reason," "Next," or "Also,".
Show, Don't Tell
What can you smell or hear in this place? Describe the sounds of laughter, the smell of pizza baking, or the soft wind.
