It’s essential to know the most important 3rd grade ELA standards so you can help your child make the most of their experience. I’ve created a guide to get you covered!
Understanding 3rd Grade ELA Standards: A Guide for Parents
As your child progresses through elementary school, their reading and writing skills continue to develop in significant ways. Understanding the key 3rd grade ELA standards can help you support your child’s learning at home.
It’s a big year for students because this is the first year when students will take the SBA exam. It’s a difficult exam for students. It’s stressful, and it is the first time students will likely experience a testing environment. As educators and parents, we want the experience to be as painless as possible while ensuring their success.
That’s why I’ve broken down the most important 3rd grade ELA standards in California, along with how they differ from 2nd grade standards, and tips on how you can help your child succeed. By the end of this comprehensive guide, you will be prepared to help your child tackle the 3rd grade!
Key 3rd Grade ELA Standards
In 3rd grade, students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. They are expected to ask and answer questions by referring explicitly to the text, identify main ideas and details, and describe characters and events in greater depth.
Writing standards emphasize the ability to create opinion pieces, informative texts, and narratives with clear sequences and detailed descriptions. These are all skills that build upon the content they learn in the 2nd grade. This is really where standards begin to differentiate styles of writing. Writing is a major focus of the 3rd grade ELA standards. Opinion, Narrative, and Informational essays are major parts of testing in subsequent grades, so starting with a solid foundation will serve children well in the long term.
Additionally, 3rd graders engage more deeply in discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own thoughts clearly. They also expand their vocabulary and language use, utilizing strategies to understand complex words and phrases.
1. Understanding Texts (RL.3.1 and RI.3.1)
- Standard: Your child will ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for their answers.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students answer questions using key details from the text. In 3rd grade, they need to refer back to the text more explicitly to support their answers. This means your child will be more actively engaged in finding evidence within the text to support their responses.
The 3rd grade ELA standards here are similar to what they will experience later. In middle school and high school, students will need to cite evidence using the texts they read. This skill is one of the most important ELA skills for students.
2. Finding the Main Idea and Details (RI.3.2)
- Standard: Your child will determine the main idea of a text and recount the key details to explain how they support the main idea.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text. In 3rd grade, they are expected to find the main idea and explain how the details support it, developing a deeper understanding of how information is organized.
This is probably the second most important standard in ELA. Students need to be able to understand the main point of a given text. I think as reading gets more detailed and stories get more complicated, this will be one of the most important 3rd grade ELA standards your student will learn this year.
3. Describing Characters and Events (RL.3.3)
- Standard: Your child will describe characters in a story, such as their traits, motivations, or feelings, and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students describe how characters respond to major events and challenges. In 3rd grade, they go deeper into character analysis, understanding how these details drive the story and contribute to the plot.
Understanding the story arc is one of the most important 3rd grade ELA standards because it will help them in middle school. Children who enjoy writing or talking about superheroes, or who like to makeup stories, do well with this standard. That’s why it’s important to encourage your child to tell stories, draw, and read.
4. Writing Opinion Pieces (W.3.1)
- Standard: Your child will write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students write opinion pieces with simple reasons. In 3rd grade, they are expected to support their opinions with more detailed reasons and explanations, demonstrating a clearer and more logical thought process.
As I mentioned earlier, the SBA exam begins in the 3rd grade. It’s one of the most important tests your student will take because it tells teachers and parents how their child is progressing in school. The exam will focus on these 3rd grade ELA standards because these are the standards that students will learn throughout their education. While exams aren’t the only measurement of growth, students will feel the pressure of the SBA. It’s very important for students to be able to write down their opinions in opinion essays.
Encourage children to explain how to they feel and why. The “why” is really important because they have to be able to articulate their opinions with clear reasoning.
5. Writing Informative Texts (W.3.2)
- Standard: Your child will write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students write informative texts by introducing a topic and using facts and definitions. In 3rd grade, they need to develop the topic more fully with facts, definitions, and details, providing a more comprehensive understanding.
Students have to be able to write to inform or explain. Science experiments, or cooking whilst writing down recipes are great to to help with this kind of writing. Writing how things work, things they noticed, and step-by-step instructions will help your child master this 3rd grade ELA standard.
6. Writing Narratives (W.3.3)
- Standard: Your child will write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students write narratives with a clear beginning, middle, and end. In 3rd grade, they are expected to include more detailed descriptions and a logical sequence of events, enhancing their storytelling abilities.
I think most students enjoy writing narratives. The 3rd grade ELA standards allow for real or imagined experiences, so students can write about superheroes or princesses or themselves. The 3rd grade ELA standards want students to be able to write a short story about an experience. At our school, in the 7th grade we focus on real experiences, and the 8th grade focuses on imaginary experiences.
7. Engaging in Discussions (SL.3.1)
- Standard: Your child will engage in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students participate in collaborative conversations. In 3rd grade, they are expected to build on others’ ideas and express their own thoughts more clearly, fostering better communication and critical thinking skills.
Not every student loves talking, but in the 3rd grade students are encouraged to speak more in school. Learning to speak confidently will help students in subsequent grades. Give your child time to speak about academic topics, things they’ve learned, or noticed about the world, because it will help them to be able to participate in academic topics at school.
8. Vocabulary and Language Use (L.3.4)
- Standard: Your child will determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- Difference from 2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students use context to determine word meanings. In 3rd grade, they use a wider range of strategies, including root words and prefixes, to understand more complex vocabulary.
The 3rd grade ELA standards specifically want students to be able to work through unfamiliar vocabulary. It’s a skill they will need forever, and it is a heavily tested skill. The easiest way to support vocabulary development in your child is with reading. Experiences are also helpful. Taking your child to the zoo or even Shakespeare in the park, will help them learn new vocabulary.
How to Support Your Child
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping their children succeed in their comprehension of 3rd grade ELA standards. Around this age, children are learning to become more independent. I think it’s important to let your child grow into themselves, but they still need guidance.
You can help your child continue to develop their reading skills by:
Encourage Reading: Provide a variety of reading materials and encourage your child to ask questions about the stories and information they read. This helps them practice finding evidence in the text and understanding the main ideas.
Tips: This is about the time when your child has specific interests. Are they into bugs? Get them books on lifecycles and insects. Do they like fairy tales, find kid-friendly fairy tale book. There are books on everything! Even the quirkiest children can find something to read. Go to the library and check out books. They will help you master these 3rd grade ELA standards.
Discuss Books and Stories: Talk about the characters, settings, and plots of the books your child is reading. Ask them to explain their thoughts and opinions about the story, which helps them articulate their understanding and develop deeper comprehension skills.
Tips: Keeping a reading journal will help your child naturally develop their reading comprehension. Reading journals can help your child make strides in their progress towards 3rd grade ELA standards.
Practice Writing: Encourage your child to write stories, opinion pieces, and informative texts at home. Provide feedback and help them organize their thoughts clearly. Writing regularly helps them become more confident and proficient.
Tips: Write letters! Did you go to the aquarium? Write a letter to the staff telling them how they enjoyed the experience. Staff will LOVE the letter and your child will develop their writing skills. It’s a win-win for good will. The SBA does include letter writing so this activity will also help your child get ahead in their 3rd grade ELA standards mastery.
Engage in Conversations: Have regular discussions with your child about different topics. Encourage them to express their ideas clearly and listen to others. This improves their speaking and listening skills, essential for effective communication.
Tips: Learn about new things together! I read a lot. Friday mornings, I usually ask students what they learned that week. I tell them what I learned that week. It gives students a chance to use new vocabulary, engage in academic discussion, and will help them flesh out ideas for writing. Academic discussion is not easy to facilitate if students don’t have exposure to it at home. That’s why it’s important for you to speak to your child about a range of topics in order for your child to master these 3rd grade ELA standards.
By focusing on these key areas, your child will develop a strong foundation in 3rd grade ELA standards, preparing them for future academic success. Supporting your child’s learning at home can make a significant difference in their progress and confidence.
Conclusion: 3rd Grade ELA Standards
By focusing on these key areas, your child will develop essential reading and writing skills that are crucial for mastering the 3rd grade ELA standards. Your active involvement in their education will not only boost their confidence but also foster a love for learning. Remember, your support at home is a powerful tool in helping your child reach their full potential in English Language Arts.
Discuss books, stories, and informational texts together. Practice writing and engage in meaningful conversations to enhance their communication skills. It is a great way to bond with your child. It will also give you the opportunity to be an important conduit for your child’s education.
Have a wonderful year! 🙂
