Grade 3 Writing Curriculum

Family-facing version of the grade 3 writing curriculum

Quarterly Overview of Grade 3 Writing

The objectives and outcomes for each unit are common across FCPS and based on the Virginia Standards of Learning. The pacing by quarter and by week provides an example of how the curriculum can be organized throughout the year. Teacher teams may adjust the pacing or order of units to best meet the needs of students.

Units and Details

Unit 1: Building a Community of Writers

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly. 
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience. 
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies. 
    • Participate in collaborative discussions. 
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. 
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support. 
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas.
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.

Unit 2: Personal Narratives

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in group activities:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing. 
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. 
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support. 
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Use complete sentences.
    • Use the word I in compound subjects.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Unit 3: Nonfiction: All About Books

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. 
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository.
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Use present verb tense.
    • Use commas in a simple series.
    • Use correct spelling including irregular plurals.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency

Unit 4: Story Innovations

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions. 
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository. 
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure. 
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information. 
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English.
    • Use singular possessives.
    • Use apostrophes in contractions with pronouns and in possessives.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions. 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas.
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points.
    • Use specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills.
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Unit 5: Content Area Research

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Present accurate directions to individuals and small groups.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Use simple abbreviations.
    • Indicate paragraphing by indenting or skipping a line. 

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Unit 6: Realistic Fiction

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Present accurate directions to individuals and small groups.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository.
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type. 
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  •  Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Use adjectives correctly.
    • Use correct spelling including irregular plurals.
    • Indicate paragraphing by indenting or skipping a line.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Unit 7: Poetry

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Present accurate directions to individuals and small groups.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English.
    • Use past and present verb tense.
    • Use correct spelling including irregular plurals.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    •  Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    •  Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency

Unit 8: Persuasive Reviews

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.  
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly.
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
  • Write legibly in cursive:
    • Write capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
    • Sign his/her first and last names.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea.
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support.
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Use the articles a, an, and the correctly.
    • Use correct spelling, including irregular plurals.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Unit 9: Independent Writing Projects

Students will be able to: 

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings: 
    • Use active listening strategies including but not limited to making eye contact, facing the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing.
    • Present accurate directions to individuals and small groups.
    • Ask and respond to questions from teachers and other group members.
    • Orally summarize information expressing ideas clearly. 
    • Use language appropriate for context and audience.
    • Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
    • Participate in collaborative discussions.
    • Work respectfully with others in pairs, diverse groups, and whole class settings. 
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository.
    • Engage in writing as a process.
    • Identify audience and purpose.
    • Use a variety of prewriting strategies. 
    • Use organizational strategies to structure writing according to type.
    • Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea. 
    • Elaborate writing by including supporting details. 
    • Use transition words to vary sentence structure. 
    • Express an opinion about a topic and provide fact-based reasons for support. 
    • Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea. 
    • Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information. 
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English.
    • Use correct spelling including irregular plurals.
    • Indicate paragraphing by indenting or skipping a line.

Extended Standards: In addition to the Virginia Standards of Learning named above, students who receive full-time Advanced Academic (AAP Level IV) Services engage with these extensions.

  • Use effective communication skills in a variety of settings:
    • Lead and contribute to discussions and viewpoints with others across content areas and in seminars. 
    • Ask clarifying questions and take notes when listening to a speaker.
    • Develop listening/oral communication skills.
    • Participate in group discussions as a listener and a speaker in seminars.
    • Pose and respond to open ended questions, clarifying and challenging ideas. 
    • Understand and encapsulate the speaker’s main points. 
    • Use specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
    • Use word origins and stems to expand vocabulary.
    • Articulate understanding of a reading to a partner. 
    • Engage in discussions with others by exchanging ideas, asking questions, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully to the comments of others.
  • Write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository:
    • Reflect individuality through word choice and style.
    • Select a topic and develop a plan for writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
    • Develop persuasive writing skills. 
    • Focus, organize, and elaborate to create an effective message.
    • Group ideas related to the topic.
    • Use description, details, and examples that support the main idea.
    • Evaluate the effective use of words, sentences, and paragraphs in context. 
    • Provide evidence and data to support a claim, issue, or thesis sentence.
    • Revise based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation by adding, deleting, and changing information.
    • Use the elements of reasoning to develop strong, convincing arguments in persuasive writing.
    • Synthesize author techniques to improve or create a new piece of writing.
    • Complete various pieces of writing using a three-phrase revision process based on peer review, teacher.  
  • Edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English:
    • Develop sentences into paragraphs.
    • Develop linguistic competency.

Virginia Department of Education Resources

Assessments

Student assessments are part of the teaching and learning process.

  • Teachers give assessments to students on an ongoing basis to
    • Check for understanding 
    • Gather information about students' knowledge or skills.
  • Assessments provide information about a child's development of knowledge and skills that can help families and teachers better plan for the next steps in instruction.

For testing questions or additional information about how schools and teachers use test results to support student success, families can contact their children's schools.

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), grade 3 tests focus on measuring content knowledge and skill development.

Looking for other grade 3 information?