In this unit, students will continue to build writing stamina and the routine of writing by drafting, revising, and editing informative or explanatory texts on a range of topics. Students will include introductions, facts, definitions, text evidence, text features to enhance their ideas, transitions words, and conclusions.
Topics:
Pygmy Hippos
Mars
Arctic Life/Inuit
Black Holes
Stress
Food and Exercise
Solar Eclipses
W.IW.3.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
A. Introduce a topic clearly.
B. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and concrete details, text evidence, or other information and examples related to the topic.
C. Include text features (e.g.: illustrations, diagrams, captions) when useful to support comprehension.
D. Link ideas within sections of information using transition words and phrases (e.g., then, because, also, another, therefore).
E. Provide a conclusion related to the information or explanation presented.
W.WP.3.4. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
A. Identify audience, purpose, and intended length of composition before writing.
B. Consider writing as a process, including self-evaluation, revision and editing.
C. With adult and peer feedback, and digital or print tools such as a dictionary, thesaurus, and/or spell checker, find and correct errors and improve word choice.
W.WR.3.5. Generate questions about a topic and independently locate related information from at least two reference sources (print and non-print) to obtain information on that topic.
W.SE.3.6. Use discussion, books, or media resources to gather ideas, outline them, and prioritize the information to include while planning to write about a topic.
W.RW.3.7. Engage in independent and task-based writing for both short and extended periods of time, producing written work routinely.
SL.PE.3.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.II.3.2. Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
SL.ES.3.3. Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
SL.PI.3.4. Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.