Virginia Standards of Learning for Third Grade English Language Arts

Consonant BlendsWhat are Consonant Blends? Consonant blends are two or more letters that work together. When a word is sounded out, both of the letters in a consonant blend are heard. For example, in the word small, the s and the m are blended together in sounding the sm. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1
Literary ElementsIdentify and interpret plot, character, setting, events, character motivations and actions. Read more...iWorksheets: 3
R Controlled VowelsR-controlled vowels are vowels in which the r following the vowel changes the sound of the vowel. Sometimes, we call the r a bossy letter because it takes over and bosses the vowels around! Read more...iWorksheets: 5Study Guides: 1
Syllable Patterns/Word FamiliesWord families are groups of words that have a common feature or pattern. Read more...iWorksheets: 3
High Frequency Words IHigh frequency words are those words that a third grader should be able to read quickly, without sounding them out. They appear often in stories and books read by third graders. High frequency words are also known as sight words. Read more...iWorksheets: 6Study Guides: 1
High Frequency Words IIHigh frequency words are those words that a third grader should be able to read quickly, without sounding them out. They appear often in stories and books read by third graders. High frequency words are also known as sight words. Read more...iWorksheets: 6Study Guides: 1
Author/Title of Well Known LiteratureAuthors and titles of well known literature as well as other background knowledge. Read more...iWorksheets: 3
Maps, Charts, Graphs, and DiagramsUse information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text Read more...iWorksheets: 3
GenreHistorical fiction, Science fiction, biography, autobiography, folktale, fairy tale, and poetry. Read more...iWorksheets: 3
Sequential OrderSequential order is the order in which events really happened - real-life order. Something that is sequential often follows a numerical or alphabetical order. Read more...iWorksheets: 10Study Guides: 1
Cause/EffectAn action that results in something else happening is called the cause. The result of an action is called the effect. In real-life order, the cause happens first. Read more...iWorksheets: 7Study Guides: 1
Fact/Fiction/OpinionA fact can be proven. An opinion is the way that someone feels about a subject and it cannot be proven. Being able to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion will improve your reading comprehension. Read more...iWorksheets: 9Study Guides: 1
Capitalization/PunctuationHow Should a Sentence End? A sentence should end with a punctuation mark: period (.) for a statement. Question mark (?) for a question. Exclamation point (!) for a sentence that shows excitement. Read more...iWorksheets: 6Study Guides: 1
Combining SentencesWrite correctly complete sentences of statement, command, question, or exclamation, with final punctuation. Declarative, Imperative and Exclamatory. Read more...iWorksheets: 4
Complete & Incomplete SentencesStudents demonstrate an understanding of the structures of the English language. Read more...iWorksheets: 5
Friendly LetterThere are five parts in a friendly letter. The parts of a friendly letter are the heading, the greeting, the body, the closing, and the signature. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1
Grammar SkillsSubject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement. Read more...iWorksheets: 3
Rules for WritingCombining two simple sentences. Two simple sentences can be combined by using words called conjunctions to join them. Some examples of conjunctions are: and, but, or. Read more...iWorksheets: 8Study Guides: 1
Subject and PredicateThe subject of a sentence is who or what the sentence is about. Read more...iWorksheets: 3Study Guides: 1
Written DirectionsRead and understand written directions. Read more...iWorksheets: 3

VA.R.3. Reading

3.3. The student will apply word-analysis skills when reading.

3.3.a. Use knowledge of regular and irregular vowel patterns.
Vowel DiphthongsFreeVowel diphthongs are vowel letters whose sounds blend smoothly together. The same sounds can be spelled using different letters. Read more...iWorksheets :25Study Guides :2
Vowel DigraphsFreeVowels are a, e, u, o, u, and sometimes y or w. When 2 vowels come together in a word that is a vowel digraph. Read more...iWorksheets :6Study Guides :1
oo Vowel SoundWhat are the words with a double o sound as in moon? When you see oo together in a word, it usually has the sound you hear in “Moo” so put oo in when you spell them. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.3.b. Decode regular multisyllabic words.
PhonicsPhonics is a method of teaching people to read by correlating sounds with symbols in an alphabetic writing system. Read more...iWorksheets :3

3.4. The student will expand vocabulary when reading.

3.4.a. Use knowledge of homophones.
Double Negatives and HomophonesHomophones are words that sound the same, but have different spellings and different meanings. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
HomophonesWhat are Homophones? Homophones are words that sound exactly alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are sometimes called homonyms. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
3.4.b. Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, and antonyms to determine the meaning of new words.
Root Words/Prefixes/SuffixesWhen the ending, or inflection, is taken away from a word, the word that remains is called the root word or base word. Read more...iWorksheets :6Study Guides :1
Word Meaning with Prefixes/SuffixesPrefixes are letters placed before a root word which change the meaning of the root word. Suffixes are letters placed after the root word which change the meaning of the root word. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
GrammarGrammar is the subject which tells how to speak and write correctly. It is a set of rules that define the structure of a language. Here are some grammar rules you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
VocabularyWhat are Adjectives, Adverbs, Antonyms, Synonyms, and Homographs? An adjective describes a noun or a pronoun. An adverb can tell you how, where, or when something is done. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of each other. Synonyms are words that have almost the same meaning. Homographs are words that have more than one definition. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Decoding StrategiesDecoding means to convert (a coded message) into intelligible language. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Multiple MeaningWords with multiple meanings are words with more than one meaning. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Synonyms/AntonymsAn antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. For example "up" is an antonym of "down". Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning. Synonyms for "Intelligent" are "smart" and "clever". Read more...iWorksheets :4
SuffixesA suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
PrefixesA prefix is any letter or group of letters that is added to the front of a base word to change the meaning. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
SynonymsWhat are synonyms? Synonyms are words that mean the same, or nearly the same, as other words. Read more...iWorksheets :6Study Guides :1
AntonymsFreeAntonyms are words that mean the opposite, or nearly the opposite, as other words. Read more...iWorksheets :6Study Guides :1
Root WordsWhat are Root Words? Root words are sometimes called base words. A root word is the smallest form of a word before it has anything added to it. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Roots/Prefixes/SuffixesWhat are Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes? A root word is a word with no prefixes or suffixes added to it. A root word is the basic element, the base, of a word. A prefix is added to the beginning of a root word to form a new word. A suffix is added to the ending of a root word to form a new word. Adding a prefix or suffix to a root word can change the meaning of that root word. Read more...iWorksheets :9Study Guides :1
3.4.d. Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words.
VocabularyWhat are Adjectives, Adverbs, Antonyms, Synonyms, and Homographs? An adjective describes a noun or a pronoun. An adverb can tell you how, where, or when something is done. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of each other. Synonyms are words that have almost the same meaning. Homographs are words that have more than one definition. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Context CluesIdentify the meaning of unknown words by text surrounding word. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Decoding StrategiesDecoding means to convert (a coded message) into intelligible language. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Context CluesFreeContext cluesare hints found in a text that may help to figure out the meaning of a difficult word. A context clue might be in the same sentence, the sentence before, or the sentence after the difficult word. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
Context CluesWhat are Context Clues? When you are reading, you will come to words you do not know. You can learn the meaning of those words by looking for the clues in the sentence around that word. The clues will help you understand the meaning of the new word even if you cannot pronounce it. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.4.e. Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
Content VocabularySpelling in content areas including Math, Social Studies, Science, Technology, Art, and Music. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Content Area VocabularyDetermine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to grade 4 topic or subject area. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.4.f. Use vocabulary from other content areas.
Content VocabularySpelling in content areas including Math, Social Studies, Science, Technology, Art, and Music. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Content Area VocabularyDetermine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to grade 4 topic or subject area. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.4.g. Use word-reference resources including the glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus.
Parts of a BookBooks have special parts to help you find information easily. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Dictionary/Thesaurus/Parts of a BookAlphabetical order, table of contents, title, author, index, glossary. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Dictionary/ThesaurusAlphabetical order, table of contents, title, author, index, glossary Read more...iWorksheets :3
Parts of a BookFreeA book often has several parts that make finding information easier for readers. They are: title, introduction, body, conclusion, and back cover. Read more...iWorksheets :10Study Guides :1

3.5. The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, literary nonfiction, and poetry.

3.5.c. Make, confirm, and revise predictions.
Predicting EndingsWhat Does it Mean to Predict Endings? When you read, you try to make sense of what you are reading. When you write, you need to make sense in what you are writing. When you predict an ending, you try to think of the most sensible way for the story to end. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
PredictionsWhat are Predictions? When predicting you use facts and clues from the reading as well as your own personal knowledge to help you make a good guess about what is going to happen next in the story. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
3.5.e. Summarize plot events.
SummarizingWhen you summarize you take a large selection of text and condense it to just the main facts or ideas. A summary is significantly shorter than the actual text. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
3.5.h. Draw conclusions using the text for support.
Literal/Inferential/EvaluativeMaking inferences is determining facts and meaning that the author does not directly state. Read more...iWorksheets :9Study Guides :1
Predictions, Conclusions and InferencesDrawing a conclusion is a reasonable decision you make based on facts and details in a sentence, paragraph, story, or article. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
InferenceWhat is an Inference? An inference is a Reading skill. When the reader puts together his or her life experiences with the words of the author, he or she is using inferencing skills. A student who uses inferencing skills can read between the lines to figure out what the author means. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.5.i. Identify the conflict and resolution.
Problem/SolutionThe problem of a story is the trouble or difficulty in which the main character of a story find himself or herself. <br> The solution of a story is the way that the character or characters in the story figure out or solve the problem of the story. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
3.5.j. Identify the theme.
Main IdeaThe main idea is the overall theme of a paragraph or section of a text. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
Theme of WritingA literary theme is the main idea a writer explores in a story or other literary work. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text. Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions). Read more...iWorksheets :3

3.6. The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts.

3.6.a. Identify the author’s purpose.
Author's Purposethe author's purpose is the reason that he or she had for writing the text. Some authors' purposes are to inform, entertain or persuade. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
3.6.c. Preview and use text features including table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, maps, indices, and charts.
Parts of a BookBooks have special parts to help you find information easily. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Dictionary/Thesaurus/Parts of a BookAlphabetical order, table of contents, title, author, index, glossary. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Charts/Maps/Graphic OrganizersFreeMaps, charts, graphs, and diagrams are graphics that contain information. Read more...iWorksheets :6Study Guides :1
Graphic OrganizersA graphic organizer is a visual display that demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts or ideas. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Parts of a BookFreeA book often has several parts that make finding information easier for readers. They are: title, introduction, body, conclusion, and back cover. Read more...iWorksheets :10Study Guides :1
Text FeaturesThe title of an article is called a headline. A headline usually tells the main idea of what the article is about. Headlines often grab your attention and make you want to read the article. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
Finding InformationHow do Charts and Illustrations Help You? Charts and illustrations are special tools to help you find information easily. They are arranged in a way that puts all the information together so that it is clear and easy to read. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Main IdeaWhat is a Main Idea in a Visual Message? Pictures and actions send messages without words. Here are some you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Interpret InformationWhat is Interpreting Information? You can use maps, charts, and timelines to interpret information. Charts are visual displays of information. They reveal information through mathematical statistics. A timeline is used to show events in chronological order. A map is a drawing created to represent the world or a part of the world's surface. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
3.6.e. Draw conclusions using the text for support.
Literal/Inferential/EvaluativeMaking inferences is determining facts and meaning that the author does not directly state. Read more...iWorksheets :9Study Guides :1
Predictions, Conclusions and InferencesDrawing a conclusion is a reasonable decision you make based on facts and details in a sentence, paragraph, story, or article. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
InferenceWhat is an Inference? An inference is a Reading skill. When the reader puts together his or her life experiences with the words of the author, he or she is using inferencing skills. A student who uses inferencing skills can read between the lines to figure out what the author means. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.6.f. Summarize information found in nonfiction texts.
SummarizingWhen you summarize you take a large selection of text and condense it to just the main facts or ideas. A summary is significantly shorter than the actual text. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
3.6.g. Identify the main idea.
Theme of WritingA literary theme is the main idea a writer explores in a story or other literary work. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text. Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions). Read more...iWorksheets :3
Supporting DetailsSupporting details support the main idea of a text. Supporting details tell you more about the main idea of the text. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
Main Idea/Supporting DetailsMain idea, supporting details, and irrelevant details. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.6.h. Identify supporting details.
Supporting DetailsSupporting details support the main idea of a text. Supporting details tell you more about the main idea of the text. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
Main Idea/Supporting DetailsMain idea, supporting details, and irrelevant details. Read more...iWorksheets :3

VA.W.3. Writing

3.8. The student will write in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion, and expository.

3.8.a. Engage in writing as a process.
Writing ProcessPrewrite, draft, revise, proofread, and edit. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.8.c. Use a variety of prewriting strategies.
Writing ProcessPrewrite, draft, revise, proofread, and edit. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.8.e. Write a clear topic sentence focusing on main idea.
Topic SentenceThe topic of a paragraph is the word or words that tell what the paragraph is about. The topic should be related to all of the sentences in the paragraph. Being able to pick out the topic of the paragraph helps the reader to understand the meaning of the paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Vivid Language in WritingA topic sentence supports or develops the theme or main idea of a paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
3.8.f. Elaborate writing by including supporting details.
Vivid Language in WritingA topic sentence supports or develops the theme or main idea of a paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
3.8.g. Use transition words to vary sentence structure.
Vivid Language in WritingA topic sentence supports or develops the theme or main idea of a paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
3.8.i. Write a well-developed paragraph focusing on the main idea.
Coherent ParagraphsA paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic. The sentences are related to each other, and they make sense. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Extraneous DetailsExtraneous details are details that are not necessary to include in a particular paragraph. They are details that are NOT related to the theme of a paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Vivid Language in WritingA topic sentence supports or develops the theme or main idea of a paragraph. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
Unnecessary InformationWhat is unnecessary information? When you write a paragraph, story, or report you must include all important information. Sometimes writers put in too much information. It is important to know what to include ad what to leave out. The unnecessary information is any part that does not belong. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1

3.9. The student will edit writing for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and Standard English.

3.9.c. Use past and present verb tense.
Verb EndingsVerbs may change their spelling according to which tense is being used. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Past Tense (-ed)Past tense means something happened in the past. It could be many years ago, yesterday, or just a few minutes ago. Verbs change in special ways to show past tense. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.9.d. Use adjectives correctly.
GrammarGrammar is the subject which tells how to speak and write correctly. It is a set of rules that define the structure of a language. Here are some grammar rules you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
VocabularyWhat are Adjectives, Adverbs, Antonyms, Synonyms, and Homographs? An adjective describes a noun or a pronoun. An adverb can tell you how, where, or when something is done. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of each other. Synonyms are words that have almost the same meaning. Homographs are words that have more than one definition. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Adjectives/Adverbs/ParticlesWhat is adverb? An adverb is a word or an expression that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, level of certainty, answering questions such as how?, in what way?, when?, where?, and to what extent? Read more...iWorksheets :3
Adjectives/Adverbs/Vivid LanguageWhat is an Adjective? An adjective is a word that describes a noun. When an adjective is added to a noun, the sentence becomes more interesting. Read more...iWorksheets :9Study Guides :1
3.9.e. Use singular possessives.
NounsNoun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality Read more...iWorksheets :3
GrammarGrammar is the subject which tells how to speak and write correctly. It is a set of rules that define the structure of a language. Here are some grammar rules you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Spelling WordsWhy is Spelling Important? It is important to spell words correctly when writing. There are some words that are difficult to learn and to remember how to spell correctly. Homonyms, plurals, and possessive words are often difficult to remember how to spell correctly. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
NounsA noun is a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these. Read more...iWorksheets :3
3.9.g. Use simple abbreviations.
AbbreviationsFreeAn abbreviation is a shortened form of a longer word. Read more...iWorksheets :7Study Guides :1
Main IdeaWhat is a Main Idea in a Visual Message? Pictures and actions send messages without words. Here are some you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
3.9.h. Use apostrophes in contractions with pronouns and in possessives.
NounsNoun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality Read more...iWorksheets :3
GrammarGrammar is the subject which tells how to speak and write correctly. It is a set of rules that define the structure of a language. Here are some grammar rules you should know. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Spelling WordsWhy is Spelling Important? It is important to spell words correctly when writing. There are some words that are difficult to learn and to remember how to spell correctly. Homonyms, plurals, and possessive words are often difficult to remember how to spell correctly. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
NounsA noun is a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these. Read more...iWorksheets :3
ContractionsWhat are Contractions? A contraction is a special word made by putting together a verb and another word. Every contraction has an apostrophe to show where letters are missing from the original two words. Read more...iWorksheets :5Study Guides :1
ContractionsWhat is a Contraction? A contraction is really two words squeezed together to make a new word. Some of the letters from one or both of the words go away and a special mark called an apostrophe goes in their place. Read more...iWorksheets :4Study Guides :1
3.9.j. Use correct spelling including irregular plurals.
PluralsRegular and irregular plural nouns. Read more...iWorksheets :3
PluralsPlurals is the grammatical category in nouns, pronouns, and verbs that refers to more than one thing. Read more...iWorksheets :3
Syllables/Spelling PatternsWords can be divided into syllables. Spelling patterns include groups of letters. A spelling pattern is a group of letters that represents a sound. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1
Frequently Misspelled WordsWords that are often misspelled and some hints to help you spell them. Read more...iWorksheets :3Study Guides :1

Standards

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