for families

This Parent Guide is designed to highlight student grade-level expectations. These expectations have been aligned with the Washington State “Essential Academic Learning Requirements”(EALRs) and the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). These expectations provide specific learning standards for students in grades K-10. They clarify the skills and strategies all students need to demonstrate proficiency in each content area.

Additionally, the assessments used to determine student achievement are outlined for reading, writing, and math.

Reading
In third grade, students select and combine skills to read fluently with meaning and purpose. They apply comprehension and vocabulary strategies to a wider variety of fiction and nonfiction. They read for pleasure and choose books based on personal preference, topic, or author.

Grade Level Expectations
Students are expected to meet one of the two following expectations by the end of the year:

Writing
Third graders will expand their writing skills. They will learn that capable writers have good ideas, use some form of organization to communicate their ideas, pay attention to sentence fluency, and use correct conventions. Additionally, at third grade students will learn about the voice, and word choice to enhance their writing. Children learn to pre-write their ideas, draft their thoughts, revise and edit their writing, and publish their work.

Grade Level Expectations
Students are expected to meet one of the two following expectations by the end of the year:

Math
Third graders develop their fluency with addition and subtraction while beginning to understand multiplication and division. Students use standard units to measure temperature, length, volume, and weight. Algebraic sense grows through their understanding of equality and by identifying missing numbers in addition and subtraction equations.

Grade Level Expectations
Students are expected to meet the following expectations by the end of the year:

Glossary

Degrees of Reading Power (DRP)
A standardized assessment given to determine how well they understand what students read.

Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
The DRA helps teachers pinpoint students' strengths and reading abilities in a one-on-one conference.

Six Trait Writing
In the Sumner School District six distinct traits of writing are taught and assessed:

Ideas

When ideas are strong, the message is clear and easy to follow. Things make sense because the writer includes detail.

Organization

Organization is the structure of writing. A writer with strong organization stays focused on the main idea. They have a sense of sequencing and the reader sees a distinct beginning, middle, and end.

Conventions

Conventions fall under the heading of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization. Neatness, while important, is not considered part of the six-trait model.

Voice

Voice is the uniqueness of each writer. Voice lets the reader know the writer is personally engaged in the topic and is aware that they are communicating with an audience.

Word Choice

Word Choice is the use of rich, colorful, and precise language. It is free of awkward sentences that slow a reader down. Strong word choice paints a picture in the reader’s mind. It uses everyday language naturally and in a fresh or unexpected way.

Sentence Fluency

Sentence Fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language. Sentences vary in length and style and are so well crafted that reading aloud is a pleasure.

Parent Guide To Student Learning Grade 3

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