Grade 3 ELA

In this Grade 3 ELA performance assessment, students investigate the educational and cultural benefits of local community spaces on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Working as persuasive travel advocates, they research significant local destinations to design a campaign convincing community stakeholders to fund a class journey.

• Part 1 (Research) — Students analyze informational texts, maps, and travel databases to uncover a local site's location, distance, and unique historical or environmental features.

• Part 2 (Planning) — Students collaborate in diverse pairs to organize their findings into logical categories, matching destinations like state parks or volcanic sites to specific school subjects and educational goals.

• Part 3 (Production) — Students craft a final product—such as an infographic poster, video vlog, or multi-slide PowerPoint presentation—tailored for parents and school administrators. The piece must feature an explicit opinion statement, clear supporting reasons, domain-specific vocabulary, grade-level linking words, and an organized conclusion that reflects local HĀ framework values.

CCSS ELA Standards: W.3.1.A-D, SL.3.4, RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.6, RI.3.7

In this Grade 3 ELA performance assessment, students investigate the ecological significance of local wildlife. Working as wildlife and community educators, they research a significant species on their island to design an informational campaign teaching others why it must be protected.

• Part 1 (Research) — Students conduct a sensory observation walk and analyze multi-media sources to gather structural facts, adaptations, and ecological challenges facing a chosen native bird.

• Part 2 (Planning) — Students collaborate in small teams to sort their evidence into explicit note-catchers, mapping out an informational graphic organizer that balances introductory hooks with categorized details.

• Part 3 (Production) — Students craft a final product—such as a multi-paragraph report with an illustrated caption—tailored for a community family engagement night and school mural project. The piece must feature a compelling introduction, accurate facts, domain-specific vocabulary, precise linking words, and a polished presentation formatting layout.

CCSS ELA Standards: W.3.2.A-D, W.3.7, W.3.8, RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.6, RI.3.7