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The third-grade units of study extend students’ work with personal narrative while engaging them more fully in the complete writing process, with increasing emphasis on drafting and revising their work. Students will write chapter books about topics on which they have firsthand, personal knowledge. They will synthesize a wide variety of information, and they learn to section their topics into subtopics. Third graders gather and organize information to persuade people about causes the children believe matter. Using familiar fairy tales to explore techniques of fiction writing such as writing in scenes, employing a narrator to orient readers, using story structure to create tension, and crafting figurative language to convey mood are addressed.
The third-grade units of study extend students’ work with personal narrative while engaging them more fully in the complete writing process, with increasing emphasis on drafting and revising their work. Students will write chapter books about topics on which they have firsthand, personal knowledge. They will synthesize a wide variety of information, and they learn to section their topics into subtopics. Third graders gather and organize information to persuade people about causes the children believe matter. Using familiar fairy tales to explore techniques of fiction writing such as writing in scenes, employing a narrator to orient readers, using story structure to create tension, and crafting figurative language to convey mood are addressed.
Units of Study
Units of Study
Unit 1: Crafting true stories
Unit 1: Crafting true stories
In this unit students invest time in rehearsal for writing, collecting quick drafts of possible stories in notebook entries, and later select one to take through the writing process. Students will develop stories that are driven by characters’ experiences and their responses to those experiences. Emphasis will be placed on volume of writing as third graders should be able to write a page-long entry in one sitting.
In this unit students invest time in rehearsal for writing, collecting quick drafts of possible stories in notebook entries, and later select one to take through the writing process. Students will develop stories that are driven by characters’ experiences and their responses to those experiences. Emphasis will be placed on volume of writing as third graders should be able to write a page-long entry in one sitting.
Unit 2: The art of information writing
Unit 2: The art of information writing
This unit builds upon the skills students have learned as writers of information in 2nd grade. It is centered on a particular type of information writing--a structured, written-to-teach, expert-based project. During the unit Students will learn to write introductions, organize information, and include text features that help their readers. Students will also be taught many different ways to elaborate on their topics through the use of facts, definitions, and other important details, but also through the use of descriptions and anecdotes. Initially, students will be guided through the writing process, with guidance from teachers. There is an extensive amount of time spent teaching students various strategies for “planning, revising, and editing”. By the end of the unit, students will be pushed toward independence and transference.
This unit builds upon the skills students have learned as writers of information in 2nd grade. It is centered on a particular type of information writing--a structured, written-to-teach, expert-based project. During the unit Students will learn to write introductions, organize information, and include text features that help their readers. Students will also be taught many different ways to elaborate on their topics through the use of facts, definitions, and other important details, but also through the use of descriptions and anecdotes. Initially, students will be guided through the writing process, with guidance from teachers. There is an extensive amount of time spent teaching students various strategies for “planning, revising, and editing”. By the end of the unit, students will be pushed toward independence and transference.
Unit 3: Changing the world: persuasive speeches, petitions and editorials
Unit 3: Changing the world: persuasive speeches, petitions and editorials
Third graders are full of opinions and are eager to persuade others. This unit channels those opinions into writing that can make a difference. In this unit, students learn to introduce topics, support these by listing reasons, using transition words to connect the various parts of their pieces and to conclude. This unit moves writers from writing opinion speeches to forming cause groups to support various causes. Across the unit, there is a focus on considering audience and considering word choice in light of audience.
Third graders are full of opinions and are eager to persuade others. This unit channels those opinions into writing that can make a difference. In this unit, students learn to introduce topics, support these by listing reasons, using transition words to connect the various parts of their pieces and to conclude. This unit moves writers from writing opinion speeches to forming cause groups to support various causes. Across the unit, there is a focus on considering audience and considering word choice in light of audience.
Unit 4: Once upon a time: adapting and writing fairy tales
Unit 4: Once upon a time: adapting and writing fairy tales
In this unit, children learn to become better fiction writers. This unit will push students to use a strong storyteller’s voice, write with a story arc, create the world of a story, and bring characters to life. Students will learn the importance of clear event sequence, and language that signals event order. Students will also be pushed toward 4th grade standards by helping them name some of the ways authors use words with alliteration and sensory language to create effects.
In this unit, children learn to become better fiction writers. This unit will push students to use a strong storyteller’s voice, write with a story arc, create the world of a story, and bring characters to life. Students will learn the importance of clear event sequence, and language that signals event order. Students will also be pushed toward 4th grade standards by helping them name some of the ways authors use words with alliteration and sensory language to create effects.
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