3rd Grade ELA

Reading: 

• Read with fluency, accuracy, and expression.

  • Watch this GoNoodle video to review how to read with expression and NOT like a robot.  Then, pick one of your favorite books.  Practice reading it aloud several times, making sure to read all of the words correctly, vary your voice to show expression, and don't read too fast or too slow.   When you are ready, read the book aloud to a friend or family member as if you were their teacher.  

  • Practice reading aloud by using puppets or stuffed animals.  Create silly voices for the characters and perform for your family or just for yourself! 

• Use phonics skills and context clues to understand unknown words.

  • Make a "Summer Reading Dictionary" by stapling several sheets of notebook paper together or use a spiral/composition notebook.  As you read books this summer and come across words you don't know, write them down in your dictionary.  Ask your parents if you can use their phone to ask "Siri" the meaning of the word (or look it up on a computer or in a dictionary).  Then, in your dictionary, you can write down the definition, and a synonym of the word, draw a picture of the word, and copy the sentence from the book with the word in it.  As the summer progresses, you'll be amazed at how many new words you know.

• Read a grade-level text independently and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions related to the text.

  • Read for at least 20 minutes every day.  

  • Select a book you've never read before.  Using the title and front cover, write down a prediction about what might happen in the book.  After reading the book, check to see if your prediction was correct.  

  • Call or text a friend from school and decide on a book in myOn that you both want to read.  Both of you should read the book by yourselves and then create a short quiz asking who, what, when, where, why, and how questions related to the book.  Test your comprehension by taking each other's quizzes.

• Describe how characters in a story respond to major events. Watch this video for an example.

  • Read a chapter book and use sticky notes to mark places in the book when a major event or challenge occurs and how the character responds to it.  When you finish the book, create a chart by folding a piece of paper in 1/2.  Label one side of your chart "Major Events and Challenges" and the other side "Character's Response."  Complete your chart by going back through your book and stopping at the sticky notes.  Reread those parts of the story and use the information to fill in your chart.

• Identify rhyme, rhythm, and repetition in poems.

  • Read a poem (several in myOn) and write down sets of rhyming words used in the poem.  Create your own rhymes using some of the rhyming words you found in the poem.   

• Identify and describe the parts of a story.

  • Watch this video as a review of the parts of a story.

  • Read a story and do a five-finger retelling.  This video will explain how.

    • thumb - characters

    • pointer - setting

    • middle finger- problem or what happened

    • ring finger - ending

    • pinky - favorite part

• Write to retell the events of a story and provide a central message.

  • • Watch this video to review how to retell a story.

    • Watch this video for steps in how to determine the central message, lesson, or moral.

    • Read a fable, fairy tale, or folktale.  Then write a retelling of the story in your own words.  Include the central message, lesson, or moral.  

Writing:

• Identify common prefixes and suffixes.

  • Prefix & Suffix video

• State and support an opinion

  • Watch these one-minute videos to review the steps for opinion writing:  *Video 1     *Video 2     *Video 3         *Video 4     *Video 5     *Video 6     *Video 7     *Video 8

  • Select a topic below and write an opinion paper about it.  Make sure to state your opinion and support it with details.  Don't forget your concluding statement.

    • • • Do you think kids should get paid for making good grades?  

        • What is the best holiday?  

        • Should digital learning continue in August?

• Write an informational/explanatory text.

  • Brainstorm a list of topics that you know a lot about (an animal, a video game, dancing, a sport, etc.).  Choose the topic on your list that you know the most about and create an informational book on your topic (watch this video on how to make your book).  On the front cover, include the title (topic), author (you), and illustrator (also YOU).  The first page should introduce the topic.  The next several pages should include information about your topic.  The last page should be your conclusion.  Add illustrations to make it more interesting.    

  • Read a nonfiction book. Write one sentence that tells the main topic of the text. Write four sentences that tell details to support the main topic.

• Write a story that includes a clear beginning, middle, and end.  Use transition words to help sequence your story.

  • Watch this video to review transition words. 

  • Write about what happened on your favorite birthday.

  • Write about a time when you felt scared.

  • Write a fantasy story about an adventure with your favorite cartoon character.