Does rereading the same passage help?

It does. The first pass struggles with words; by the third the sense comes clear, and that is how retention builds.

How do I help new words stick?

Have them draw a small picture beside the word. At this age a picture does what a list cannot.

Is a one-word answer acceptable?

It passes, but encourage a full sentence — that is where the foundation for writing comes from.

Class 3 English Book

বাংলায় পড়তে চাও? দেখো: তৃতীয় শ্রেণির ইংরেজি বই

In class 3 English the lessons move from single sentences to short passages, and for the first time you are asked questions about what you read. Reading is no longer only pronunciation but comprehension.

Reading a passage begins

Reading a passage differs from reading a sentence: you must hold the first line in mind to reach the last. That holding is built by habit, and the simplest route is reading the same passage several times. The first pass is a struggle with words; by the third the sense comes clear.

Download the book

The class 3 English textbook.

English For Today — PDF

NCTB publishes one PDF for both versions of this subject, so there is a single link here.

How to help at home

Let them read the same passage three times.
Ask one easy question in English afterwards.
Let them note new words with a small drawing.
Encourage answering in a full sentence.

The vocabulary habit

At this age the most effective way to hold a word is a picture — a small drawing beside it does for a child’s memory what a list does not. Better still if they build the notebook themselves, because writing and drawing processes the word twice. Two words a day is enough, but daily.