Working toward the goals of reading with comprehension, writing with skill, and communicating effectively and responsibly, each third grader will learn to:

Reading:

• Read to learn vs, learning to read (as he/she did in previous grades).
• Build vocabulary through listening to a variety of readings.
• See reading as a source of information and as a leisure-time activity.
• Extend phonics by applying word-attack skills to new or complex words.
• Use non-fiction sources (encyclopedias, biographies, software, etc.).
• Identify and read different types of fiction (folk tales and poems).
• Read with fluency and expression which demonstrates understanding of the story.
• Identify the critical elements of the story (characters, setting, and theme, plot, climax, and ending).
• Build vocabulary by using context clues, dictionaries, glossaries, and thesaurus.

Reading Quick Check: Does your child:

• Use a variety of skills flexibly and confidently?
• Think and talk about the author’s intended purpose?
• Pursue interests through the written word?
• Make time to read for pleasure?
• Summarize text with clarity and well supported opinions?

Writing:

• Use legible cursive writing in daily assignments as taught at school.
• Use the writing process: plan, draft, revise, edit and publish.
• Consistently spell frequently used words correctly.
• Write a paragraph using a topic sentence supported by details.
• Improve effectiveness of writing by using descriptive language, while varying sentence type and length (fluency).
• Use a variety of writing forms (poetry, letters, etc.)
• Use technology as appropriate.
• Keyboarding (Hertzog method to build on alphabet skills).
• Assess writing for strengths and weaknesses in the areas of voice and word choice.
• Identify and use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns, in context.
• Use editing marks to revise written work.

Communication:

• Give informal oral presentations (current events).
• Continue developing listening and communications skills.
• Integrate reading, writing, and communication skills to produce projects and/or oral presentations on topics covered in math, science, and social studies.