Checkpoint Challenge Packet
iLearn Review • ELA Checkpoint 2
Checkpoint Challenge Packet
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Informational Text & Chronological Order
Standards: 3.RN.2.1 • 3.RN.2.2 • 3.RN.3.1
The Flight of the Scout Bee
Lexile Level: Grade 3
[1] Inside a bustling beehive, worker bees have different jobs. First, an older worker bee becomes a scout. Early in the morning, the scout leaves the dark hive to search the meadows for sweet clover blossoms.
[2] Next, after finding a patch of flowers, the scout sips nectar and memorizes the direction of the sun. Then, she immediately flies back to her colony to share the news.
[3] Finally, the scout performs a special “waggle dance” on the honeycomb. Her dance movements tell the other bees exactly how far away the flowers are. Soon, hundreds of worker bees fly directly to the feast!
Q1 What is the main idea of "The Flight of the Scout Bee"?
A Scout bees prefer sweet clover flowers over all other blossoms in the meadow. B A scout bee finds food and uses a dance to guide the hive to the flowers. C Worker bees spend most of their lives resting inside dark honeycombs. D Beehives require hundreds of scouts to fly during stormy weather.
Q2 Chronological Order: Number the events from 1 to 4 to show the order they happen in the passage.
The scout bee dances on the honeycomb to share directions.
The scout leaves the dark hive early in the morning.
Hundreds of worker bees fly toward the clover blossoms.
The scout sips nectar and notes where the sun is located.
Q3 Which sentence from paragraph 3 provides text evidence that other bees understand the scout's waggle dance? Write the sentence on the lines below.
Grade 3 ELA • Checkpoint 2 Review Page 1 of 4
Part 2: Literary Elements, Theme & Point of View
Standards: 3.RL.2.1 • 3.RL.2.2 • 3.RL.3.2
The Whispering Oak
Fiction Story
[1] Mia stared at the giant oak tree in her grandfather’s backyard. Its lowest branch stretched high above her head. Yesterday, she had tried to climb it, but her foot slipped and she scraped her knee.
[2] “I give up,” Mia grumbled, crossing her arms. “That tree is impossible.” Her grandfather smiled gently and handed her a sturdy pair of work gloves. “A tree doesn't grow in a day, Mia,” he said softly. “You just need to choose a different foothold and take your time.”
[3] Mia took a deep breath. She pulled on the gloves and examined the rough bark closely. This time, she spotted a knot in the trunk she hadn't noticed before. Carefully, she placed her sneaker on it and pushed up. With one strong pull, Mia was sitting proudly on the wide branch, gazing over the garden fence!
Q4 What point of view is used in "The Whispering Oak"? Explain how you know.
A First Person (a character says "I" and "me") B Third Person (a narrator uses "Mia" and "she")
Clue word from the story that proves your answer:
Q5 How does Mia’s attitude change from paragraph 2 to paragraph 3?
A She starts out excited and happy, but becomes angry at her grandfather. B She feels discouraged at first, but decides to try again with patience. C She refuses to listen to advice and decides to plant flowers instead. D She is afraid of heights and decides never to enter the backyard again.
Q6 What is the central message or theme of this story?
A Old oak trees should only be climbed when adults are not watching. B Perseverance and trying a new approach can help you overcome challenges. C Grandparents always know how to build treehouses for their family. D It is better to walk away from hard tasks before getting hurt.
Grade 3 ELA • Checkpoint 2 Review Page 2 of 4
Part 3: Vocabulary, Context Clues & Word Analysis
Standards: 3.RV.2.1 • 3.RV.2.2 • 3.RV.2.4
A Context Clue Clues: Use clues in the sentence to determine the meaning of the bold word.
- When the sudden rainstorm soaked the playground, the puppy was reluctant to step outside into the chilly puddle.
What does reluctant mean in this sentence?
A Unwilling or hesitant B Thrilled and energetic C Curious to swim D Sleepy and warm
- The old museum map was so fragile that we had to handle it with extreme care so the paper wouldn't tear.
What does fragile mean in this sentence?
A Heavy and thick B Easily broken or torn C Bright and colorful D Easy to read
B Affix Breakdown: Break each word into its prefix/suffix and base root word.
| Whole Word |
Prefix / Suffix |
Root Word |
Meaning of New Word |
| disagree |
Prefix: dis- (not) |
agree |
to not agree with someone |
| fearless |
Suffix: -less (without) |
|
|
| rebuild |
Prefix: re- (again) |
|
|
| hopeful |
Suffix: -ful (full of) |
|
|
C Word Relationships: Match each word pair to whether it is a Synonym (S) or Antonym (A).
1. courageous / brave
(S or A)
2. ancient / modern
(S or A)
3. conceal / hide
(S or A)
4. frigid / scorching
(S or A)
Grade 3 ELA • Checkpoint 2 Review Page 3 of 4
Part 4: Language Conventions & Short Written Response
Standards: 3.W.3.2 • 3.W.6.1 • 3.W.6.2
A Sentence Doctor: Rewrite each sentence correcting capitalization, commas, or irregular verbs.
1. Incorrect: on tuesday, my family and i visited indianapolis indiana.
Corrected Sentence:
2. Incorrect: The three wolves runned through the snow and catched two rabbits.
Corrected Sentence:
B Short Constructed Response: Write 3–4 complete sentences using text evidence.
Scored Rubric: 3 Points
Prompt: In "The Whispering Oak" (Page 2), how did Grandfather's advice help Mia solve her problem? Use at least ONE detail from the text to support your answer.
✓ Restate & Answer ✓ Cite Evidence ("In the story...") ✓ Explain Your Thinking
Writer's Checklist:
Capital letters & periods Included story evidence Re-read for complete sense
Grade 3 ELA • Checkpoint 2 Review Page 4 of 4
Checkpoint Master Key
Teacher Resource • Indiana iLearn ELA Checkpoint 2
Checkpoint Master Key
Total Packet Points: 20 pts Passing Benchmark: 16+ pts (80%)
Part 1 Solutions: Informational Text & Chronological Order 3.RN.2.1 • 3.RN.2.2 • 3.RN.3.1
Q1: Main Idea Correct: B (1 pt)
Rationale: Option B accurately summarizes the entire passage (finding food and guiding the hive). Option A and C focus on minor details or inaccurate statements; D mentions weather not found in the text.
Q2: Chronological Sequence (1–4) Correct Order: 3, 1, 4, 2 (2 pts)
• [Step 1] Scout leaves dark hive early in morning (Para 1)
• [Step 2] Scout sips nectar and notes sun position (Para 2)
• [Step 3] Scout dances on honeycomb for hive (Para 3)
• [Step 4] Hundreds of worker bees fly to clover (Para 3)
Scoring: 2 pts for all 4 correct; 1 pt if 2 are in correct relative sequence.
Q3: Text Evidence Citation Acceptable Quote (1 pt)
Acceptable Student Responses:
• "Her dance movements tell the other bees exactly how far away the flowers are." OR
• "Soon, hundreds of worker bees fly directly to the feast!"
Criteria: Student quotes or directly references how other bees learn the location or take action based on the dance.
Part 2 Solutions: Literary Elements, Theme & Point of View 3.RL.2.1 • 3.RL.2.2 • 3.RL.3.2
Q4: Point of View & Evidence Correct: B (Third Person) (2 pts)
1 pt for selecting B; 1 pt for valid clue word: Narrator uses third-person pronouns ("she", "her", "Mia"). Note: Common misconception is students thinking dialogue with "I" ("I give up") makes the whole story first person. Clarify that outside dialogue tags determine narrator POV.
Q5: Character Trait Shift Correct: B (1 pt)
Rationale: Mia begins paragraph 2 feeling frustrated and discouraged ("I give up... impossible"), but heeds grandfather's advice, examines the bark calmly, and tries again.
Q6: Central Message / Theme Correct: B (1 pt)
Rationale: The underlying universal lesson is perseverance and adapting strategy ("choose a different foothold and take your time"). Options A, C, and D reflect misinterpretations of surface details.
Checkpoint Master Key • Indiana Grade 3 ELA Page 1 of 2
Master Key: Vocabulary, Conventions & Rubric
Parts 3 & 4
Part 3 Solutions: Vocabulary & Word Analysis (5 pts total) 3.RV.2.1 • 3.RV.2.2 • 3.RV.2.4
Q7: Context Clue (reluctant)
Answer: A (Unwilling or hesitant). Clues: soaked playground, chilly puddle.
Q8: Context Clue (fragile)
Answer: B (Easily broken or torn). Clues: handle with extreme care, wouldn't tear.
Section B Affix Breakdown Answers:
fearless: Root: fear
Meaning: without fear / brave
rebuild: Root: build
Meaning: to build again
hopeful: Root: hope
Meaning: full of hope
Section C Pairs: 1. courageous / brave: Synonym (S) 2. ancient / modern: Antonym (A) 3. conceal / hide: Synonym (S) 4. frigid / scorching: Antonym (A)
Part 4 Solutions: Language & Short Constructed Response (5 pts total) 3.W.3.2 • 3.W.6.1 • 3.W.6.2
Sentence 1 Correction:
"On Tuesday, my family and I visited Indianapolis, Indiana."
Errors fixed: Capitalize On, Tuesday, pronoun I, city Indianapolis, state Indiana, plus comma after city.
Sentence 2 Correction:
"The three wolves ran through the snow and caught two rabbits."
Errors fixed: Irregular past tense verbs: ran (not runned) and caught (not catched).
3-Point Short Constructed Response Scoring Rubric
| Score |
Scoring Criteria & Look-Fors |
| 3 Points |
Clear answer that directly explains how Grandfather's advice helped Mia, accurately cites at least one detail/quote from the story, and maintains correct grade-level conventions with complete sentences. |
| 2 Points |
Answers the question correctly and references story events, but evidence may be vague or general; minor convention errors that do not hinder understanding. |
| 1 Point |
Incomplete response; provides an answer without text evidence or copies a sentence without explaining how it connects to the prompt. |
Exemplar 3-Point Student Response:
"Grandfather's advice helped Mia by teaching her to be patient and try a different strategy instead of giving up. In the story, he tells her to 'choose a different foothold and take your time.' Because of this advice, Mia stopped being discouraged, looked closely at the oak tree, and found a new knot to climb up."
Checkpoint Master Key • Indiana Grade 3 ELA Page 2 of 2
