Literacy

Overview

The Farmington reading program is a comprehensive one designed to develop skills, strategies, and habits to foster life-long reading in accordance with the Science of Reading. Students read and discuss high quality texts with teacher guidance and independently read self-selected books. Students also read a variety of content texts in other curriculum areas, such as science, social studies and mathematics.

Writing is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum. Students write in a variety of forms to communicate information, express opinions, and explore personal understanding of the world. Students also engage in the process of writing by developing prewriting strategies, composing drafts, revising, editing and reflecting upon finished work. Students are also provided with opportunities to develop library, technology, and research skills.

All literacy instruction is based on the following essential understandings:

● Reading and writing require a fundamental knowledge of sounds, letters, words and the conventions of language to read, write and speak effectively;

● Reading is a thinking process used to construct meaning; and

● Writing is a thinking process used to generate, clarify and communicate ideas.

Reading

The third grade literacy program further develops the skills and strategies necessary for reading and understanding texts independently while also nurturing interest in a variety of genres. Through a program rich in fiction and non-fiction, students continue to acquire vocabulary and word recognition skills. They use multiple reading strategies while fluently reading increasingly more complex texts. During the year, students participate in units of study when they learn specific strategies to enhance understanding of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry selections.

Third grade students continue to develop the ability to comprehend a variety of texts. They read silently most of the time and begin to focus on the deeper meaning of the text. Readers are able to sustain silent reading and understanding over longer periods of time as well as through longer texts. Readers begin to show interest in a wide variety of genres including realistic fiction, biography, historical fiction, science fiction and informational text. Third graders are able to integrate a variety of reading skills and strategies to enhance understanding of text. They write about text-related ideas and participate in discussions to share interpretations with others.

Writing

Third grade writers continue to learn the craft of writing: structure, development and language conventions. Students become increasingly familiar with the recursive nature of the writing process as they think (brainstorm for ideas and topics), plan, draft, revise, edit and share their writing with others. Students have the opportunity to write for different audiences, for a specific purpose and in a variety of forms including narrative, opinion, and informational writing.

CT English Language Arts Standards

Literacy Units

Reading

Building Reading Strategies through Mysteries
Developing Theories about Characters
Habitats, Organisms, and Adaptations (Frogs)
Water Around the World

Writing

Narrative - Realistic Fiction and Fairy Tales
Informational Writing - Nonfiction Essays
Opinion Writing - Personal and Literary Essays
Integrated Fiction and Informational Writing

Ways to Support Your Child In Literacy

There are many things that families can do to encourage children to read and develop strong reading and writing skills.

Read Together Daily: Spend time each day reading with your child. Choose a variety of books that interest them and are appropriate for their reading level. Help your student build strong foundational reading habits.
Create a Reading Space: Set up a cozy, quiet area in your home where your child can read comfortably. Fill it with books and magazines.
Visit the Library: Regularly visit the local library to check out new books. Participate in library programs and events for children. Ask your student about their time at their school library.
Give Recommendations: At this age, your child may start to have certain authors, genres or subjects they like to read about. The librarian at school or the public library can give great recommendations for book series which will provide more reading material.
Encourage Writing: Provide your child with writing materials like notebooks, pens, and markers. Encourage them to write stories, letters, or keep a journal. Show your child how writing and reading can be meaningful and impactful.
Model Good Reading Habits: Let your child see you reading books, magazines, and newspapers. Show that reading is enjoyable and important.
Play Word Games: Engage in word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or word ladders to make learning fun and interactive. Ask students about what word study topics they have been focusing on, and integrate that into engaging games.
Talk About Books: Discuss the books your child is reading. Ask questions about the story, characters, and their favorite parts.
Use Technology: Utilize educational apps and websites that promote reading and writing skills. Ensure screen time is balanced with other activities.
Create a Word Wall: Put up a wall or board where you can display new vocabulary words. Review and use these words in daily conversations. Use word rules and spelling patterns to build and sort different words.
Set Goals: Help your child set reading goals, like reading a certain number of books each month. Celebrate their achievements. See if your student has set goals in their classroom, and help encourage these goals at home.
Engage in Storytelling: Encourage your child to tell stories, whether real or imagined. This helps develop their creativity and narrative skills.
Provide Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child's reading and writing efforts. Celebrate their progress and milestones.

By integrating these practices into daily life, parents can play a crucial role in nurturing their child's love for reading and supporting their development as confident readers.

Finding Books for Your Child