Our Curriculum › Writing & Grammar › 3rd Grade
Writing 3
Third grade writing covers the three core types (opinion, narrative, informative) in a few days each, then grammar and punctuation, a first research report, a short book of their own, and a long run of shorter pieces in many forms before a final project and portfolio.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
10 units
Each opens to its lessons
A short book of their own
Outlined, written, edited and covered
Standards
Common Core Grade 3 writing & language
What's taught, unit by unit
Opinion writingDays 1–10
Stating an opinion up front, giving specific reasons, linking words (because, also, another reason), saving the best reason for last, a closing sentence, and editing a full opinion piece.
- 1 · Welcome to Writing 3!
- 2 · What Is Opinion Writing?
- 3 · Introducing Your Opinion
- 4 · Giving Reasons
- 5 · Linking Words: Because, Also, Another Reason
- 6 · Writing a Closing Sentence
- 7 · Writing a Full Opinion Piece
- 8 · Saving your best reason for last
- 9 · Editing Your Opinion Piece
- 10 · This week's practice
Narrative writingDays 11–20
A personal narrative built piece by piece: setting the scene, dialogue, specific details, beginning/middle/end, time-order words and a satisfying ending, ending with the complete story.
- 11 · What Is Narrative Writing?
- 12 · Setting the Scene
- 13 · Using Dialogue
- 14 · Describing with Details
- 16 · Story Sequence: Beginning, Middle, End
- 17 · Using Temporal Words
- 18 · Writing a Satisfying Ending
- 19 · Writing Your Full Narrative
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Informative writingDays 21–30
Introducing a topic, grouping related facts, using definitions, headings and bold words, writing a concluding statement, finding facts through simple research, and a full informative piece.
- 21 · What Is Informative Writing?
- 22 · Introducing Your Topic
- 23 · Grouping Related Facts Together
- 24 · Using Facts and Definitions
- 26 · Using Text Features in Your Writing
- 27 · Writing a Concluding Statement
- 28 · Writing Your Full Informative Piece
- 29 · Simple Research: Finding Facts
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Grammar and punctuationDays 31–40
Regular and irregular plural nouns, abstract nouns, verb tenses, comparative and superlative adverbs, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, commas in dates and addresses, and quotation marks in dialogue.
- 31 · Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns
- 32 · Abstract Nouns
- 33 · Verb Tenses Review
- 34 · Comparative and Superlative Adverbs
- 36 · Coordinating Conjunctions
- 37 · Subordinating Conjunctions
- 38 · Commas in Addresses and Dates
- 39 · Quotation Marks in Dialogue
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
First research report and a few formsDays 41–50
A four-step research project (choose a topic, take notes in their own words, organize, write the report), then a friendly letter, written instructions, a poem and a made-up story.
- 41 · Starting a Research Project
- 42 · Taking Notes
- 43 · Organizing Your Research
- 44 · Writing Your Research Report
- 46 · Writing a Friendly Letter
- 47 · Writing Instructions
- 48 · Writing a Poem
- 49 · Writing a Creative Story
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Writing a short bookDays 51–60
The year's biggest project: choose a kind of book, outline it, write three or four sections that connect to each other, edit the whole book and make a cover and title.
- 51 · Starting a Longer Project: My Own Book
- 52 · Outlining Your Book
- 53 · Writing Chapter or Section 1
- 54 · Writing Chapter or Section 2
- 56 · Writing Chapter or Section 3
- 57 · Writing Your Final Section
- 58 · Editing Your Whole Book
- 59 · Making a Cover and Title
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Many forms of writing, part 1Days 61–110
One new form every day or two: book review, compare and contrast, memory, how-to, poster, riddle, diary, historical figure, a second research report (days 71-75), letters, news report, fable, mystery, and run-on and editing practice.
- 61 · Writing a Book Review
- 62 · Writing a Compare and Contrast Piece
- 63 · Writing About a Memory
- 64 · Writing a How-To Guide
- 66 · Writing a Persuasive Poster
- 67 · Writing a Riddle
- 68 · Writing a Diary Entry
- 69 · Writing About a Historical Figure
- 71 · Second Research Project: Choosing a Topic
- 72 · Research: Gathering and Sorting Facts
- 73 · Writing Your Report: Introduction and Body
- 74 · Writing Your Report: Conclusion
- 76 · Writing a Persuasive Letter
- 77 · Writing Dialogue-Only Scenes
- 78 · Writing a Weather Report
- 79 · Writing a Thank You Note
- 81 · Writing About a Favorite Place
- 82 · Writing a Fable
- 83 · Writing a Product Review
- 84 · Writing a News Report
- 86 · Writing Clear Directions
- 87 · Writing an Invitation
- 88 · Writing a Short Mystery
- 89 · Editing Practice: Finding Errors
- 91 · Writing About a Family Tradition
- 92 · Writing a Persuasive Paragraph
- 93 · Writing a Comic Strip Story
- 94 · Writing a Weather Journal Entry
- 96 · Writing a Postcard
- 97 · Writing About an Invention
- 98 · Writing a Thank-You Speech
- 99 · Editing Practice: Combining Sentences
- 101 · Writing About a Hero
- 102 · Writing a Book Recommendation
- 103 · Writing a Complaint Letter
- 104 · Writing a Riddle Poem
- 106 · Writing a How-I-Felt Narrative
- 107 · Writing a Weather Report with Facts and a Forecast
- 108 · Writing Dialogue Between Two Characters
- 109 · Editing Practice: Fixing Run-On Sentences
Plus 10 review days, not listed.
Many forms of writing, part 2Days 111–150
More short forms: animal comparison, sequel, museum label, menu, interview, wanted poster, twist ending, game instructions, ad, newsletter article, PSA, time capsule letter. Weekly editing drills cover subject-verb agreement, strong verbs and capitalization.
- 111 · Writing a Comparison Essay: Two Animals
- 112 · Writing a How-To Guide with Command Words
- 113 · Writing About an Animal's Perspective
- 114 · Writing a Sequel to a Familiar Story
- 116 · Writing a Museum Exhibit Description
- 117 · Writing an Opinion Piece: School Rules
- 118 · Writing a Short Adventure Story
- 119 · Editing Practice: Subject-Verb Agreement
- 121 · Writing About Overcoming a Challenge
- 122 · Writing a Restaurant Menu
- 123 · Writing an Interview
- 124 · Writing a Wanted Poster for a Story Character
- 126 · Writing a Story with a Twist Ending
- 127 · Writing Instructions for a Game
- 128 · Writing About a Dream Vacation
- 129 · Editing Practice: Choosing Strong Verbs
- 131 · Writing a Letter to Your Future Self
- 132 · Writing a Persuasive Advertisement
- 133 · Writing a Story from a New Setting
- 134 · Writing a Report on an Animal
- 136 · Writing a Diary Entry as a Historical Figure
- 137 · Writing a Silly Story
- 138 · Writing a Comparison: Then vs. Now
- 139 · Editing Practice: Correct Capitalization
- 141 · Writing a Class Newsletter Article
- 142 · Writing a Story with a Strong Setting
- 143 · Writing a Public Service Announcement
- 144 · Writing About a Family Recipe
- 146 · Writing Author's Notes for Your Best Piece
- 147 · Writing a Story with Multiple Characters' Feelings
- 148 · Writing a Time Capsule Letter
- 149 · Editing Practice: Full Passage Edit
Plus 8 review days, not listed.
Final story and goalsDays 151–160
A self-assessment, revising a favorite piece, a yearbook entry, and a final story that draws on the year's skills, plus an opinion piece on what makes a good writer, publishing, and goals for next year.
- 151 · Writing Skills Self-Assessment
- 152 · Revising Your Favorite Piece
- 153 · Writing a Class Yearbook Entry
- 154 · Writing a Story Using All You've Learned
- 156 · Writing About What Makes a Good Writer
- 157 · Writing Year Highlights
- 158 · Publishing Your Best Piece
- 159 · Writing Goals for Next Year
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Speeches, final pieces and celebrationDays 161–180
A graduation speech and advice letter, a final opinion piece, narrative and informative piece, a mini research project, and a portfolio of their best pieces. Three trivia rounds, a year in review and a thank-you note fill much of this stretch.
- 161 · Writing a Graduation Speech
- 162 · Writing Advice for Next Year's Students
- 163 · Writing 3 Trivia Finale: Round 1
- 164 · Writing 3 Trivia Finale: Round 2
- 166 · Writing a Final Opinion Piece
- 167 · Writing a Final Narrative
- 168 · Writing 3 Portfolio: Choose Your Best 5
- 169 · Writing 3 Year in Review
- 171 · Writing a Final Informative Piece
- 172 · Writing a Final Research Mini-Project
- 173 · Writing 3 Trivia Finale: Round 3
- 174 · Choosing Your Favorite Piece of the Year
- 176 · Finishing Your Portfolio
- 177 · Writing a Thank-You to Your Teacher
- 178 · Writing 3 Year in Review: Final Reflection
- 179 · Getting Excited for Writing 4
- 180 · Writing 3 Complete! Final Celebration
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Write an opinion piece with reasons and linking words
- Write a story with dialogue, setting details and time-order words
- Research a topic, take notes in their own words, and write a short report
- Plan, outline and write a multi-section book with a title and cover
- Use conjunctions, plural nouns and verb tenses correctly
- Edit their own writing for capitalization, punctuation and run-on sentences
Other 3rd Grade subjects: Math 3 · Reading 3 · Science 3 · History 3