A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Most third grade students can do the following:

1. The student reads for enjoyment and information, and:
   • pursues own reading interest.

   • has favorite authors and types of books.

   • reads primary-level fiction and nonfiction, including books with chapters.

   • reads a variety of texts, including books, magazines, newspapers, and textbooks in all content areas.

   • uses context clues to expand vocabulary.

2. The student improves his or her comprehension while reading a variety of simple texts, and:
   • talks and writes about what he or she has read.

   • thinks about what he or she already knows and relates it to literature or personal experience.
     

   • makes, confirms, and revises predictions while reading.

   • re-reads to clarify meaning or correct a misinterpretation.

   • begins to make inferences.

   • retells story events in proper sequence.

3. The student is a proficient reader who uses word-analysis skills to improve vocabulary and reading fluency, and:
   • uses phonics and simple context clues to figure out unknown words (sounds words out, breaks words into smaller parts, looks at prefixes and suffixes, looks at surrounding words).

   • learns to recognize letter/sound patterns as syllables.

   • reads aloud with rhythm and information that sounds like natural speech.

   • begins to correct own errors when reading aloud.

4. The student understands elements of literature such as author, illustrator, character, plot, and setting, and:
   • draws conclusions about events, characters, and settings in stories.

   • compares settings, characters, and events in different books.

   • explains reasons for characters acting the way they do.

   • evaluates whether or not a plot is realistic.

   • recognizes that each piece of literature has a theme or main point.

5. The student understands the characteristics of various simple genres ­ fables, nonfiction, poetry, and realistic, historical, and science fiction ­ and:
   • can explain the similarities and differences among the genres.

   • writes stories that contain characteristics of selected genres.

6. The student uses appropriate language conventions in written work, and:
   • spells many common words correctly.

   • checks for common capitalization and end punctuation.

   • begins to note errors in own work.

   • writes legibly in print or cursive letters.

   • makes appropriate and varied word choices.

7. The student writes to communicate information and ideas.
   • generates and organizes ideas for writing.

   • writes in a variety of modes (reports, poetry, letters, stories).

   • begins to format writing according to purpose and audience.

   • constructs several sentences on one topic in a logical order.

   • includes main ideas, supporting details, and descriptive words.

   • uses a variety of sentence structures.

   • edits to improve his or her own work.

A student who has successfully mastered these skills should be able to read and understand the following excerpts:

First Grade:

Franklin is Bossy, by Paulette Bourgeois

In his room, Franklin built a castle. He made a cape to be brave in. He made shields and swords and suits of armor. He drew pictures. He played house. He read stories. He played by himself for one whole hour, and then he didn't know what to do. So, Franklin went looking for company. His friends were in the river, cooling off.

Books to read at this level:^*

Amelia Bedelia, by Peggy Parish
Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Norman Bridwell
Freight Train, by Donald Crews
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle

Second Grade:

Curious George, by H. A. Rey

The hat had been on the man's head. George thought it would be nice to have it on his own head. He picked it up and put it on. The hat covered George's head. He couldn't see. The man picked him up quickly and popped him into a bag. George was caught. The man with the big yellow hat put George into a little boat, and a sailor rowed them both across the water to a big ship.

Books to read at this level:^*

Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Ira Sleeps Over, by Waber Barnard
Bony-Legs, by Joanna Cole
Where is Cuddly Cat? by June Woodman
Frog and Toad are Friends, by Arnold Lobel
There's an Alligator Under My Bed, by Mercer Mayer
Bedtime for Frances, by Russell Hoban
Freckle Juice, by Judy Blume

Third Grade:

Sarah, Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan

I held my breath and floated at last, looking up into the sky, afraid to speak. Crows flew over, three in a row. And I could hear a killdeer in the field. We climbed the bank and dried ourselves and lay in the grass again. The cows watched, their eyes sad in their dinner-plate faces. And I slept, dreaming a perfect dream. The fields had turned to a sea that gleamed like sun on glass. And Sarah was happy.

Books to read at this level:^*

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, by Donald J. Sobol
The Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl
The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

*Books recommended by the American Library Association.

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[Kindergarten Students]

[Sixth Grade Students]