Third Grade Reading  

Standard 1: Learners demonstrate skill in reading a variety of materials for a variety of purposes.

Benchmark 1: The proficient reader comprehends whole pieces of narration, exposition, persuasion, and technical writing.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. identify a correct restatement of the main idea.

D 2. identify details to support their understanding.

° 3. identify author's purpose.
D 4. connect predictions with information read.

D 5. identify characteristics of narrative text and expository text.

° 6. reread as necessary for understanding.
D 7. compare and contrast information in texts.

D 8. link causes to effects.

° 10. recognize problem and solution.
D 11. use various parts of a book such as table of contents, and glossary, to locate information.

D 12. identify text organizers such as headings, topic and summary sentences, and graphic features.

Benchmark 2: The proficient reader decodes accurately and understands new words in reading materials.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. use context clues such as definition, restatement, and example to determine meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.

D 2. use synonyms, antonyms, homographs, and homophones.

D 3. use a dictionary or a glossary to determine the meaning of vocabulary.
° 4. use phonetics including rimes (phonograms) and structural analysis to determine meaning of unfamiliar words.
D 5. identify figurative language (similes, metaphors, and idioms).

Benchmark 3: The proficient reader reads fluently.

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. demonstrate rhythms of natural speech in oral reading.
° 3. use vocabulary, punctuation, and sentence structure to assist in reading fluently with comprehension.

Benchmark 4: The proficient reader uses what he/ she already knows about the topic and the
type of text to understand what is read.

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. use patterns such as cause and effect and comparison and contrast to understand expository text.
° 2. use elements of story, such as setting, character and plot, to understand narrative text.
° 4. draw on past experiences ¤ to make connections to the text.

Benchmark 5: The proficient reader draws conclusions supported by the text.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. identify common topics in different texts.

D 2. draw conclusions from the text.

Standard 2: Learners write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts.

Benchmark 1: A proficient writer uses ideas that are well developed, clear and interesting.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. select a topic from a generated list of ideas.

D 2. maintain focused writing throughout the text.

Benchmark 2: The proficient writer uses authentic and appropriate voice.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. show personal expression in their writing.

Benchmark 3: The proficient writer uses organization that enhances the reader's understanding.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. write a cohesive piece with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

° 2. use a variety of organizational strategies, which may include webbing, concept mapping , graphic organizers , clusters, and brainstorming.
° 3. use transitions to allow ideas to flow smoothly within paragraphs.

Benchmark 4: The proficient writer uses effective word choice.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. choose words and phrases appropriate for purpose and such audiences as peers, teachers, and community.

° 2. use specific nouns, powerful verbs, vivid adjectives, adverbs, and descriptive phrases in writing.

Benchmark 5: The proficient writer uses clear and fluent sentences.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. use a variety of sentence structures (including simple and compound) and introductory phrases.

Benchmark 6: The proficient writer uses standard American English conventions.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. use accurate punctuation including end marks and commas.

D 2. use accurate capitalization and correct spelling.

D 3. write complete sentences.

D 4. use appropriate paragraphing.

Benchmark 7: The proficient writer uses a writing process that includes preparation, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing to produce a written document.  Students are taught and given practice using a writing process at each grade level with content and expectations that are progressively more challenging and appropriate for that grade level.

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. generate ideas and select one topic on which to write.
° 2. organize their thoughts about the selected topic.
° 3. write a draft about the selected topic.
° 4. revise the draft and edit for content and conventions , including spelling.
D 5. generate a legible final copy for presentation.

Benchmark 8: The proficient writer uses writing as a tool for learning throughout the curriculum.

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. write journal entries, and research reports while studying in content areas.

Benchmark 9: The proficient writer uses a variety of modes of writing for different purposes and audiences ¤ .

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. write descriptive pieces, which may include poetry, ballad, and journal entry.
° 2. write narrative pieces, which may include creative story, personal narrative, and folklore (such as fairy tale and tall tale).
° 3. write expository pieces, which may include written direction, book and research report.

Standard 3: Learners demonstrate knowledge of literature from a variety of cultures, genres, and time periods.

Benchmark 1: The proficient reader demonstrates knowledge of the effects of cultures on literature.

Indicators:
The students:
° 1. recognize the impact of culture on a character.
° 2. compare and contrast customs and ideas within literature from a variety of cultures. (open house)

Benchmark 2: The proficient reader identifies characteristics of a wide variety of literary genres in various formats.

Indicators:
The students:
D 1. identify fiction and nonfiction and a variety of genres, such as folklore (fable and hero tale), fantasy, poetry, historical fiction, realistic fiction, biography, and informational text.

Standard 4: Learners demonstrate skills needed to read and respond to literature.

Benchmark 1: The proficient reader uses literary concepts to interpret literature.
Indicators:
The students:
D 1. identify elements of fiction and drama, such as character, setting, plot, resolution, and theme.

D 2. identify text structure in expository literature, such as cause and effect, comparison and contrast, description, sequence, and problem and solution.

  Benchmark 2: The proficient reader evaluates literature with criteria based on purposes for reading and derived from time periods and cultures.

Indicators:
The students:
° 3. select literature from various time periods and cultures based on purposes for reading.

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