3rd Grade
Unit 3 Module A: Seeking Explanations
Early January - Early February: 2nd Trimester
3rd Grade
Unit 3 Module A: Seeking Explanations
Early January - Early February: 2nd Trimester
Module Overview
Readers understand that stories have important central messages, lessons, or morals.
Writers understand that opinion writing supports a point of view with reasons.
Learners understand that oral histories have transmitted experiences, explanations, and wisdom for generations.
How do readers determine the central message, lesson, or moral of a story?
How do writers support a point of view when writing an opinion?
Readers will recount stories to determine the central message, lesson, or moral.
Writers will support a point of view with reasons.
Learners will understand how people use stories to explain the world.
Opinion Task: Write About the Power of Stories
Students will state and support their opinion about which text, Storm in the Night or Knots on a Counting Rope, has a more powerful central message.
Standards Addressed
The highlighted evidence outcomes are the priority for all students, serving as the essential concepts and skills. It is recommended that the remaining evidence outcomes listed be addressed as time allows, representing the full breadth of the curriculum.
Evidence outcomes in bold are those that are expected to be mastered in trimester 3
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. (CCSS: SL.3.1a)
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. (CCSS: SL 3.2)
Speak clearly, using appropriate volume and pitch for the purpose and audience.
Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. (CCSS: SL.3.5)
Evidence outcomes in bold are those that are expected to be mastered in trimester 2
Prioritized Evidence Outcomes:
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. (CCSS: RL.3.2)
Supporting Evidence Outcomes:
Summarize central ideas and important details from a text.*
Use signal words (such as before, after, next) and text structure (narrative, chronology) to determine the sequence of major events.
Describe characters in a story (for example: their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. (CCSS: RL.3.3)
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. (CCSS: RL.3.4)
Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. (CCSS: RL.3.6)
Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (for example: create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). (CCSS: RL.3.7)
Foundational Skills:
Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding. (CCSS.3.4a)
Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. (CCSS.3.4c)
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. (CCSS: L.3.4)
Use knowledge of word relationships to identify antonyms or synonyms to clarify meaning. *
Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (for example: take steps). (CCSS: L.3.5a)
Identify real-life connections between words and their use (for example: describe people who are friendly or helpful). (CCSS: L.3.5b)
Evidence outcomes in bold are those that are expected to be mastered in trimester 2
Prioritized Evidence Outcome:
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (SSCC:.W.3.1)
Supporting Evidence Outcomes:
Introduce the topic or the text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that includes reasons. (CCSS:W.3.1a)
Provide reasons that support the opinion. (CCSS:W.3.1b)
Use linking words and phrases (for example, because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons. (CCSS: W.3.1c)
Provide a concluding statement or section. (CCSS:.W.3.1d)
Grammar & Conventions:
Explain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general and their functions in particular sentences. (CCSS: L.3.1a)
Form and use regular and irregular verbs. (CCSS:L.3.1d)
Capitalize appropriate words in titles (CCSS:L.3.2a)
Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue. (CCSS:L.3.2c)
Form and use possessives. (CCSS:L.3.2d)
Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words (for example: sitting, smiled, cries, happiness). (CCSS:L.3.2e)
Use spelling patterns and generalizations (for example: word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words. (CCSS:L.3.2f)
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (CCSS:W.3.4)
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others. (CCSS:W.3.6)
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. (CCSS:W.3.10)
Assessments
Assessments listed below reflect a balance of both formative and summative options, providing teachers and students with information relative to mastery of module and unit goals in reading and writing.
Student Prompt:
You will state and support your opinion about which text, Storm in the Night or Knots on a Counting Rope, has a more powerful central message.
Students will
state your opinion or point of view.
create an organizational structure.
support your point of view with reasons and text evidence.
provide a conclusion.
3rd Grade SchoolAI Opinion Writing Feedback Space
*Administered AFTER Module 3B
Texts
Texts listed below reflect the full series of reading materials designed to build background knowledge within the Unit theme.
Anchor Text:
Storm in the Night
(trade book)
Lexile 550L
Literary Text
Supporting Texts:
Knots on a Counting Rope (Text Collection)
Lexile 540L
Literary Text
Paul Bunyan (Text Collection)
Lexile 690L
Literary Text
"We Need New Tornado Warnings!"
Lexile 680L
"Taking Shelter"
Lexile 570:
Foundational Skills