LEAP Into Literacy
Third Grade
2014-15
Preparing students for college and careers
Volume 1,
Issue 3
Reading and Writing Resources and Ideas for Families
3rd Nine Weeks
Spotlight on 3rd Grade Standards for this nine weeks:
Informational Reading:
Writing:

Students will write about a topic or
text stating their opinions. They will
support their point of view with reasons and/or details. Students must
use linking words such as because,
therefore, since, and for example
to connect their opinions
and reasons.
Determine the meaning of words and phrases in informational text. Students will be asked to understand words
specific to science, social studies and other informational
topics.
Example: What does the word _____ mean in this sentence? Can
you read the sentences around the word to help you understand its
meaning?
Where can you look in the book to help you figure out what that
word means?

Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text. Students will be asked to agree or disagree
with an author forming their own view of a topic.
Example: Can you explain your thoughts about what you just read?
Do you agree with the author? Why?

Describe how sentences and paragraphs are connected.
Students will be asked to explain how a text is written by
looking closely at how an author connects the ideas in the
text (cause/effect, comparison, or sequence).
Example: How does the author connect the ideas in this paragraph
to the topic of the text? Did he use cause and effect? How do you
know?


Compare and contrast the most important points and
key details presented in two texts on the same topic. Students will be asked to read two texts on the same topic
and point out the similarities and differences among both
texts.
Example: What are the key details in this text? Are they similar
to what you learned from the other text? Can you tell me what
information you learned in this text that you didn’t learn from
the other text?
Check Out These
Books!
Biographies:
A Nation’s Hope : The Story of Boxing
Legend Joe Louis. Matt de la Pena
Life in the Ocean : the Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Farrar Straus
Giroux
The Bravest Woman in America. Marissa
Moss
Touch the Sky : Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper. Albert Whitman
Balloons Over Broadway: The True
Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Melissa Sweet
A Splash of Red : The Life and Art of
Horace Pippen. Jen Bryant
LEAP Into Literacy
Page 2 -Third Grade 2014-15 Volume 1, Issue 3
Let’s Talk!
Language Rocks!
Vocabulary Builders:
Prefixes are found at the beginning of a word. Understanding the meaning of commonly used prefixes can help
students determine the meaning of unknown words. The
following are some commonly used prefixes and examples
of each:
Ask your child to share his opinion
about various topics. Here are a few
questions to get you started :

Should parents help kids with homework?
Prefix
Meaning
Words

Should trampolines be banned?
un-
not
unhappy, untrue

Should kids be on reality TV?
re-
again
repay, review

Did you like the book you read ?
dis-
not, opposite
disrespect, dislike
pre-
before
preheat, preview
A suffix is found at the end of a word. Understanding the
meaning of suffixes can help determine the meaning of
unknown words. The following are some commonly used
suffixes and examples of each:
Help your child frame her speaking using this frame:
I believe ____________________.
First of all _____________.
For example_________.
Another reason _____.
Suffix Meaning
Words
Also _____________ .
-able
capable of being
washable, drinkable
Finally____________.
-ful
filled with
thankful, hopeful
-less
without
fearless, hopeless
-ness
state of
happiness, sadness
As your child reads help him notice words that have
these common prefixes and suffixes. Remind her to
think of the meaning of the prefix or suffix in order
to understand the meaning of a word.
QR Reader apps
are free for your
Smartphone!
Download one, and
sing along to the
prefix rap or pop
song!
Online Reading and Games:

http://www.vocabulary.co.il Prefix and
Suffix Games

http://www.newsela.com Builds
comprehension by using daily news

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/
index.html Grammar game

https://sites.google.com/site/
easygrammar4kids/prefixes
-and-suffixes Prefix and
Suffix Games