3rd Grade Writing Question of the Day

1. AFTER (correct answer)
2. BEFORE
3. ANOTHER
4. THEREFORE

Explanation: This question tests 3rd grade narrative writing skill of using temporal words and phrases to signal event order (CCSS.W.3.3.c). Temporal words and phrases signal WHEN events happen and show the ORDER of events in a story. Key narrative temporal words: FIRST/At first (beginning), NEXT/Then/After that (continuing sequence), BEFORE/AFTER (time relationships), FINALLY/At last (ending). These differ from informative linking words (also, another) which connect facts, and opinion linking words (because, therefore) which connect reasons. Temporal words help readers follow the story sequence through time, making clear which event happens first, next, and last. In this scenario, Carlos's story includes multiple events in sequence: having the hat before recess, playing tag during recess, and not finding the hat after. The temporal word 'AFTER' signals when the missing hat event happened in the sequence. Choice A is correct because it uses AFTER to show time relationship. Specifically, 'AFTER' clarifies that not finding the hat happens later relative to recess, helping readers follow the story events in order and understand the timeline. Choice B uses BEFORE, which contradicts event order by placing it earlier. This is common when students think any order word works anywhere. This happens because students learn different linking words for different purposes (opinion, informative, narrative) and may confuse them, or may not understand that temporal words have specific positions (first for beginning, finally for ending). To help students use temporal words in narratives: Create Temporal Words Anchor Chart for STORIES: Beginning (First, At first, One day), Middle (Next, Then, After that, Soon, Later), Before/After (Before [event], After [event]), Ending (Finally, At last, In the end). Teach position: FIRST = beginning event, NEXT/THEN = continuing events, FINALLY = ending event. Distinguish from other linking words: NARRATIVE temporal (first, next, finally) vs INFORMATIVE linking (also, another) vs OPINION linking (because, therefore) — match word type to writing type. Practice sequencing: Give story events without temporal words, have students add appropriate temporal words. Model variety: Don't use THEN for every event; use First → Next → Then → Finally chain. Use timeline visual: draw line with events, add temporal words showing time relationships. Practice BEFORE/AFTER: 'Before school, she practiced. After school, she performed.' Teach common chains: First-Next-Then-Finally, One day-Later-At last, In the morning-After lunch-In the afternoon. Compare stories with/without temporal words to see clarity difference. Watch for: Using opinion words (because) or informative words (also) in narratives. Using FINALLY at beginning or FIRST at end. Missing temporal words between events. Overusing THEN repeatedly (vary: first, next, later, finally). Confusing temporal words for different writing types. Praise: 'You used FIRST to show the beginning event, NEXT for the middle, and FINALLY for the ending!'