Language Arts

…trying to become a writer without having been a reader is like setting forth to sail across the ocean in a boat without sails.

-William Styron

The writing program third grade will follow this year is titled, WRITERS IN CONTROL.

Connecting reading and writing, we will learn to fully understand and apply the basic writing format:

FOCUS STATEMENT

MAIN IDEA #1

MAIN IDEA #2

CONCLUSION

Below is an example of what third grade writing should look like by the end of the school year. The writing meets the third grade benchmarks of writing – focus, organization, support, and conventions.

Expository Model Grade 3

Some people in Florida don’t like summer because it is so hot. I think people who feel that way are wrong. Summer is definitely the best time of the year for several reasons.

To begin with, my parents lighten up on the rules in the summer. During the school year, one major rule at our house is that I have to be in bed by nine o’clock. On summer nights, though, I really don’t have a set bedtime. I remember one fun night that is a good example of this. I had been at Drew’s house eating pizza and splashing around in his pool playing basketball since dinnertime. Suddenly his mom hollered, “Okay boys, it’s almost ten o’clock. The neighbors will be complaining about all the noise you’re making. You need to come in now. You can watch your scary movie if you want.” Summer rules are much easier to live with than school time rules.

In addition, our family takes a great trip every July. We always take a fun trip to Daytona Beach to visit my cousins, Bret and Daniel. This trip is great for me because they are teaching me how to skim board. Last summer on our first day at the beach I watched them. “That looks easy!” I yelled. “All you do is run, throw the board down, and jump on it.” Then I tried. The board suddenly stopped like it had brakes, and I landed head first in the sand. “Keep trying. You’ll get it!” hollered Bret. “Drop the board in about an inch of water, not just sand.” I got pretty good at it. Bret told me I just need practice. I can’t wait until our trip to the beach this summer

In conclusion, of all the seasons, I love summer best because the rules are easy and the trips we take as a family are so cool!