Free Third Grade Readers
Are you looking for quality readers for third grade? These vintage school readers, published in the late 1800s and early 1900s, are now in the public domain and free online. You’ll find well-known classics like McGuffey, Elson, and Treadwell, as well as many other lesser-known series. You may download the books for your child to read on a computer or tablet or print the books.
Why Choose Vintage Readers
Vintage readers offer beautiful classic literature, rich vocabulary, and charming illustrations. The stories are age-appropriate and typically encourage strong moral values. There’s also something special about reading a book that’s been used in schoolhouses and homes for over a hundred years. Perhaps your child’s grandparents or great-grandparents enjoyed some of these same readers when they were in school.
Free Third Grade Readers
The grade levels some of these vintage readers were intended for may not line up exactly with current grade-level expectations or your child’s reading level. So, in addition to the third grade readers listed below, I’d recommend taking a look at other grade levels, too. Our Vintage Graded Readers page includes readers for primer level through eighth grade.
Readers Published in the 1900s
These 3rd grade readers were published between 1900 and 1924.
The Aldine Readers: A Third Reader
The American School Readers: Third Reader
Appletons’ School Readers: The Third Reader
The Carrol and Brooks Readers: A Third Reader
Child Classics: The Third Reader
The Child’s World: Third Reader
Classics for Children: A Third Reader
Classics Old and New: A Third Reader
Elson Primary School Reader: Book Three
Everyday Classics Third Reader
The Golden Rule Series: The Golden Ladder Book
Golden Treasury Readers: Third Reader
Graded Literature Readers: Third Book
The Heath Readers: Third Reader
Holton-Curry Readers: The Third Reader
The Horace Mann Readers: Introductory Third Reader
The Jones Readers by Grades: Book Three
The Kendall Series of Readers: Third Reader
The New Barnes Readers: Book Three
The Summers Readers: Third Reader
Treadwell’s Reading-Literature Series: The Third Reader
Wheeler’s Graded Readers: A Third Reader
The Summers Readers: Third Reader (1914)
Readers Published in the 1800s
Most of these 3rd grade readers were published in the late 1800s, though a few are from the mid 1800s.
Baldwin’s School Reading by Grades: Third Year
Chambers’s Narrative Series of Standard Reading Books: Book III
Chambers’s National Reading Books: Book III
Hans Anderson’s Fairy Tales: Adapted to Children Reading the Third School Reader
McGuffey’s Third Eclectic Reader
The Metcalf-Call Readers: A Third Reader
The Normal Course in Reading: Third Reader
The Normal Course in Reading: Alternate Third Reader
Pollard’s Synthetic Third Reader
Sanders’s School Reader: Third Book
Sanders’s Union Reader: Number Three
Swinton’s Advanced Third Reader
Time-Tested Teaching Tips
In 1873, author Lewis B. Monroe began The Third Reader with the following list of Hints to Teachers. Generations later, these practical tips still ring true.
Hints to Teachers
1. The more the reading sounds like pleasant talking, as a general rule, the better it is.
2. A good style in reading is not a matter of precept but of example. Children will catch the style that they hear, good or bad.
3. It is better for a pupil to express the idea, even if he miscalls a word now and then, than to read all the words and have no idea. A wrong idea is better than none at all.
4. Do not find fault with a child’s reading, nor tell him it is bad, unless you clearly show where the fault lies, and point out a better way.
5. Encourage a pupil by pointing out the good things in his reading rather than discourage him by ridiculing the bad qualities.
6. Require the class to listen to individual readers, and tell what is well done, rather than to pick flaws.
7. The teacher should not always have the book in hand when conducting a reading lesson, but depend sometimes upon the ear alone for criticism.
8. It is time and labor saved on all the other studies if pupils are taught to read intelligently; inasmuch as intelligent reading is the key to all knowledge.
9. Care in reference to reading should not be limited to the use of the reading book. When reading from an arithmetic or any other text-book, it should be done properly—never in a careless or indifferent manner.
Timeless Learning
Vintage readers offer more than just stories. They help build a strong vocabulary and often teach important lessons and values. What makes them truly special is their long history. Families have loved them for generations. So, while browsing the internet for free homeschool resources, don’t overlook these gems. Whether it’s the familiar tales or the charming illustrations accompanying them, these vintage readers are a treasure trove waiting to be rediscovered.
More Resources for 3rd Grade
- 3rd Grade Reading List with free lessons for each book
- Free 3rd Grade Christian Homeschool Curriculum
- Free Language Arts Curriculum
Note: This post was originally published on November 9, 2021, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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